By Mustapha Jarju
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a statement and commits to plant 2 million trees in a bid to contribute to the fight against climate change in the country.
The party’s statement came as world leaders gather for a COP 26 UN climate change in Glasgow.
In a statement signed by the party leader Lawyer Ousianou Darboe said: “UDP government is committed to making their fair contribution to the global climate change effort, and have it in its founders` day of declaration 2020 set an ambitious target of planting two million trees in a bid to contribute to greener Gambia.”
“While we are undertaking national efforts to achieve these targets, it is equally important that we combat climate change through local actions. UDP reaffirms their position that developed countries have a responsibility to assist developing countries to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. In order to tackle climate change UDP government promises to support a recycling economy by promoting buy-back Centres and integrating waste-pickers into the recycling economy value chain. A UDP government will make more land available for agricultural production in communities, including communal organic food garden,” the statement revealed.
More from the statement, the party understands a number of municipalities around the developing world, are piloting the use of different renewable energy sources such as landfill gas to electricity, biomass, biogas, and small-scale hydro power.
The statement also said that when UDP resume power his government will certainly explore such options in their efforts to build a capable state that will empower local government by enhancing the decentralization process.
“We will intensify the efforts to build resilience in communities, and to harness the potential of the green economy to make a difference in the lives of citizens and grow the country`s economy. We can all make a difference by making responsible decisions, whether by recycling our waste, by choosing sustainable food sources, by conserving water or by keeping the communities clean.
“I believe that communities that are safer, healthier and climate change resilient are key to our collective future. Even as actions are taken at a national level and decisions made on the global stage, adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change is our shared responsibility. Environmental conservation and climate action have the potential for new business development and support job creation on a large scale,” the statement concluded.