Information and Publications

Climate Sense

The Uganda Carbon Bureau carries out a wide range of education and publicity work to disseminate information about climate change and to increase awareness about global warming. This includes the publication of a new magazine, ‘Climate Sense’ which is being distributed to all schools in Uganda, District Government offices and inside the two main national newspapers. The magazine is designed to provide accessible information that will educate people about the causes of climate change – the effects it will have, and how to adapt to these effects. It also deals with the actions that can be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and how to develop projects that will generate carbon finance. The choice of schools as a focus is especially important - both to reach the adults of tomorrow, and as an efficient way to get information into the homes of the many people who would otherwise not receive information about climate change. ‘Climate Sense’ builds on the previous experience of Bureau staff in producing a similar nationwide magazine. The first edition is being sponsored by the German development agency GTZ.

Click here to read Climate Sense edition 1

Information

Another aspect of the Bureau's education and publicity work is the ‘open-door’ policy at the office. Many people seeking information about climate change, carbon projects and the carbon markets visit the office in Lubowa to access the latest information that we have. The Bureau has a good knowledge about new developments on the East African carbon scene, especially about donor support programmes. The growing library of climate change materials is also a useful resource.

The Bureau also runs periodic pizza lunches – informal meetings about specific topics and issues connected with climate change or the carbon markets which the Bureau is involved in. Recent lunches have involved biochar, ERPA review, carbon opporunities for PV energy projects and the Abalinda Ebihangwa REDD project. These bring together key players from industry, government and the not-for-profit sector. Typically there will be a presentation about the subject, followed by a discussion about the possible actions for its implementation in East Africa.

The Bureau has provided information and pro bono professional support during the creation of the Ugandan Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change (PFCC), and the newly formed Law & Justice Network on Climate Change - Uganda.

Carbon Foundation for East Africa - CAFEA

In September 2010 the Bureau brought together a group of individuals to form the Carbon Foundation for East Africa. This is a not-for-profit body with the aim of providing information about climate change in a variety of ways to the general public and targeted groups. It will also ensure that knowledge about opportunities for East Africa to benefit from the international carbon markets are made freely available. CAFEA has already attracted significant donor support for this work. The Bureau manages the day-to-day affairs of CAFEA.