By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Environmentalists assert that policy weaknesses and the absence of robust environmental laws are hindering South Sudan’s ability to combat climate change.
The National Water Resources and Irrigation Department estimates approximately two million climate change refugees in South Sudan, displaced by floods or migrating in search of water and pasture.
Furthermore, recently, the Ministry of General Education and Instruction closed schools nationwide for three weeks due to heat waves.
Wani Stephen Elias, Executive Director of the African Democracy Resilience Network (ADRNET), stated that without effective environmental laws and policies, the government struggles to mobilize climate change response funds, both domestically and internationally.
Stephen highlighted that globally, over one trillion dollars has been pledged for climate mitigation by 2030, with 30% expected from the Global South, including South Sudan.
He emphasized that strong laws are crucial for attracting private-sector investment and securing international funding. Without these, South Sudan’s resilience to climate shocks is severely compromised.
“Without laws, climate financing becomes exceedingly difficult,” Stephen explained. “These laws guide agencies in planning, both domestically and internationally, ensuring effective resource allocation.”
The National Environment Bill, tabled in Parliament in 2012 and returned to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for revisions, remains unpassed.
Meanwhile, Wani Nelson Amos, Senior Inspector of Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, revealed plans to establish a “National Environment Fund” within the Ministry of Finance and Planning to centralize climate disaster financing.
Despite the pending bill, Amos noted that the Ministry formulated the National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA), National Determined Contribution (NDC), and submitted the Intended National Determined Contribution in 2016, leading to the 2021 Paris Agreement.
“We aim to establish the National Environment Fund, but the pending bill is a hindrance,” Amos said. “However, we utilize existing policies to secure climate finance from the Green Climate Fund and Global Environment Facility.”
Amos emphasized the importance of NAPA and NDC, prerequisites of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), for climate finance mobilization.
The withdrawal of the United States, a major contributor leaving the Dutch government and European Union poses a significant challenge for Global South nations.
In the past six years, South Sudan has faced severe floods and heat waves, displacing thousands and impacting livelihoods. Climate financing remains a key obstacle in disaster response.
Amos cited Bentiu in Unity State as severely affected by floods, stressing the need for government budgetary commitment to support affected communities.
“Food security in South Sudan requires addressing climate change impacts and building community resilience in agriculture,” Amos stated. “Without prioritizing climate change in our national budget, through appropriate laws, communities will continue to suffer.”
He suggested South Sudan adopt models similar to Kenya and Rwanda, where governments allocate funds to local administrative units through County Climate Funds and the Rwanda Fund, respectively, attracting significant domestic and international funding.
However, civil society activist Boboya James argued that building community resilience requires increased budgetary allocation and funding for climate-resilient programs.
James noted South Sudan’s annual budget allocation of less than $2 billion, the lowest in the region, compared to Kenya’s $30 billion and Uganda’s $19 billion.
“Most agencies in South Sudan lack climate-sensitive budgeting,” James explained. “This hinders the country’s ability to build resilience, coping, recovery, adaptive, and transformative capacities, all of which require adequate financing.”