Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Mitigation in Botswana’s Communal Rangelands
The Government of Botswana through the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with Conservation International (Botswana) is implementing the Green Climate Fund Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Mitigation in Botswana’s Communal Rangelands Project in the three target project areas of Ngamiland, Kgalagadi and Bobirwa (covering Okavango, North West, Hukuntsi, Tsabong, Mabutsane and Bobirwa Administrative Districts) to restore vegetation in communal rangelands that are severely impacted by climate change and, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over 8.5 years.
Financing
Project Finance: $97.6M in total
- $36.8 Million by Green Climate Fund (GCF) Grant
- $54 Million Co-finance from the Government of Botswana
- $6.8 Million Co-finance from Conservation International (CI)
Conservation International Botswana will work with Botswana Government, non-governmental organizations, private sector, academia, development partners and local communities to restore 4.6 million hectares of degraded land using the Herding for Health programme model for climate-responsive planning and management of the communal grazing areas. The Project was launched by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Fidelis Molao on 18th August 2022.
Project goals
Increase climate resilience
of vulnerable populations through rangeland management and professional herding.
Reduce green house gases emissions
by targeting vulnerable populations in communal farming by building economic resilience through the beef value chain.
Project outcomes
Professionalization of Herding
- Enhanced skills on livestock management
- Professional herding qualification
- Further education opportunities
- In service training for skills development
Capacity Building
- Strengthening farmers and community participation
- Generating demand and buy in the rangeland stewardship programme
- Support with Grazing plan packages
- Land management stewardship
- Collective herding and kraaling
- Building on Indigenous knowledge
- Gender mainstreaming and youth empowerment in livestock
- Resources for improved veterinary services
Building resilient rural economies
- Development of livestock markets
- Training on climate-smart value chains and financial literacy
- Development of climate-resilient financing products
- Improved Commodity based trade
Sharing Lessons Learnt
- Return on investment for Government and GCF
- Linkages with GDSA and SADC Climate Resilient Production
- Inform and influence policy development
- Collaboration with climate change partners
Project benefits
Green Job Creation
- 6000 Ecorangers, Restoration Workers and Graduate Monitors employed from project areas
- Enhanced skills development for Ecorangers on basic livestock management
- Capacity building on rangeland restoration for climate resilient land management
Restoration of Rangelands
- Sustainable Rangeland Stewardship
- Rangeland rehabilitation
- Improved livestock management
- Climate-resilient livestock production
- Reduction of 4.7 million tCO2e (tons) during project implementation and 21.5 million tCO2e (tons) over 20 years
Sustainable Economic & New Market Development
- Household Income Improvement
- Promotion of livestock value investment opportunities
- Branding Botswana’s organic beef and promotion of market access
Project impacts
247,000 Direct Beneficiaries
More than half (54%) are women with increased climate change resilience and improved livelihoods
2.3 million Indirect Beneficiaries
National policy interventions and data access will benefit Botswana’s entire population.
47% of Emissions Reductions Target
Contributing to nearly half of Botswana’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Target for Botswana's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
Project updates
Government of Botswana signs Memorandum of Agreement with Conservation International
To strengthen the collaboration between the Government of Botswana and Conservation International in the implementation of the CI Botswana GCF Project the Government of Botswana entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CI Botswana. The MoU is to enhance the collaboration between the parties in the implementation and achievement of the project goal by the parties. Read the full statement
Farmer Facilitation Team trained on Behavior Change
On 22nd-31st May, 2023, an interactive workshop on land-use behavior change and social marketing to promote climate-appropriate and gender-sensitive rehabilitation and grazing methods was conducted for the Farmer Facilitation Teams of the Tshane-Hukuntsi cluster. The purpose of training was twofold: to introduce the teams to the principles of sustainable grazing from the Herding for Health approach and to equip them with social marketing skills to effectively promote the adoption of sustainable grazing behaviors. Read the full statement
Herding 4 Health – A livelihood model with conservation outcomes
The CI Botswana GCF project team attended a workshop to learn more about the Herding 4 Health (H4H) Model of climate-smart agriculture and livestock management on which the Ecosystem Based Adaptation and Mitigation in Botswana Communal Rangelands project is premised. Together with the project team, the workshop was attended by delegates from Ministry of Agriculture, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs, Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture. Read the full statement