Oil and Gas Development in the Albertine Rift Region

Geographical location:

Africa/Madagascar > East Africa > Uganda

Summary

This is the Uganda component of a WWF Norway project “Integration of Environmental Concerns and Civil Society Engagement in Petroleum-Related Norwegian Development Cooperation - Inception Phase”. It aims to lay a foundation for better integration of environmental concerns and improved engagement of civil society in petroleum resources development in Uganda and the Albertine Rift region.

Background

The exploration for and production of non-renewable natural resources and the associated development of extractive industries represent an attractive avenue for development in many developing countries. Simultaneously, environmental, social and equity issues linked to such resources use may be of fundamental importance for poor people, their livelihoods and ecosystems.

WWF essentially works for the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources, together with and for the benefit of local people. The development of petroleum resources represents a potential threat to biodiversity, sound natural resources use and poor people, including several of the focal areas of WWF Norway, the WWF network and partners.

This is a WWF Norway supported initiative in which more engagement with petroleum issues in developing countries is concerned. The countries covered by the wider project are Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda.

The project target groups vary and include non-governmental organisations (NGOs), other civil society organisations, central and local government agencies (petroleum, environment, fisheries, forestry and other sectors), media and the private sector.

Objectives

The long-term objective that this project initiative will contribute to, is to assist: “developing countries to fully integrate environmental concerns in petroleum resources development”.

The longer-term engagement of WWF and partners has the following purpose: “Environmental concerns integrated and civil society engagement improved in petroleum resources development in Oil for Development (OfD) countries and beyond”.

The purpose for 2007 is proposed as: “A foundation for better integration of environmental concerns and improved engagement of civil society in petroleum resources development laid through country status reports, engagement by and initial capacity building for partners and stakeholders, and more information available on Norwegian petroleum-related development cooperation”.

Solution

Expected outputs

- Preliminary country status report produced. This will involve a situation analysis of the issues, problems and impacts of oil exploration, and development on protected areas and the surrounding communities.

- Petroleum workshops and meetings on environmental issues, and civil society engagement to raise awareness, share information and build capacity carried out. It will concern pilot institutional capacity building interventions with a focus on community groups, civil society organizations and local government institutions.

- Cross-cutting activities implemented. This will involve piloting and facilitating a cross-border dialogue and cooperation with particular emphasis on the Albertine Rift region, including Lake Albert.