With 80% of Ugandans dependent on rain-fed agriculture, which comprises over 60% of export earnings, the country is highly vulnerable to climate change. Recent erratic and unseasonal rainfall has already cost over US$60 million a year in crop losses.

Previous assessments of the economic impacts of climate change have proven to be catalysts for increased attention to and investment in addressing climate change, spurring significant progress in policy development. This study has informed and helped shape the roll-out of Uganda’s National Climate Change Policy by directing investments where they are most needed to safeguard the Ugandan economy from the adverse impacts of climate change.

The project team was led by Baastel and included Makerere University, Metroeconomica, and the Centre for International Development and Training at the University of Wolverhampton.

Methodology

The project developed an economic model, disaggregated at the national, sectoral and district levels, to assess the economic impact of climate change on climate-sensitive sectors and areas of the economy. The results of the economic assessment fed into the decision-forming process around budgetary allocations to help direct resources to sectors and districts most at risk to climate change. Knowledge dissemination to decision-makers is an important aspect in raising awareness of the economic case for investment in climate compatible development policies in Uganda.

Project activities

• Undertook consultations with relevant Ministries and stakeholders to refine the scope of the study.
• Developed a conceptual framework on the economic assessment.
• Developed /adapted an economic model using the most advanced, proven and appropriate techniques.
• Developed 5-6 case studies of the economic impacts of climate change at the district-level.
• Identified relevant climatic and economic data and calculating the economic impact of climate change on identified key sectors.
• Documented the analysis, including the economic model developed, the methodology and the results.
• Carried out policy dialogues and stakeholder consultations on the findings and implications of the assessment

Results

Read the full Economic Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change in Uganda.

Read the Key Results from the Economic Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change in Uganda.

Watch the film, Remapping Uganda's Future.

Read the fact sheets on Uganda's Economic assessment findings:

Uganda fact sheet on Energy

Uganda factsheet on Agriculture

Uganda factsheet on Infrastructure

Uganda factsheet on Water

Further information

This project built upon CDKN’s on-going experience and learning in Nepal and the Economic Impact Assessments of Climate Change in Nepal project.