ADAPT

The Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Livelihood Improvement Options Programme (ADAPT+) aims at addressing environmental and social vulnerabilities in Ssese Islands, Uganda by providing opportunities that promote the capacity of local communities to adapt to climate change and ensure environmental sustainability of the islands’ unique and sensitive ecosystems. The project’s major interventions focus on Better Solid Waste Management; Appropriate Energy Options (recycling for fuel briquettes) Promoting Options for Waste Reduction; Promoting Re-use of Plastics, Metallic and Glass Materials; Promoting Health and Sanitation; Conserving Existing Forestry Resources; Creating Jobs for Unemployed Youth; Promoting Food Security; and, Harnessing Carbon Trade Opportunities – while contributing to climate change adaptation by the poorer sections of society. The project is working at developing Kalangala Town Council into a model town in waste management and promoting adaptation of poor communities by turning wastes into opportunities which will be later replicated by other town councils.

The main strategy is to provide alternative appropriate cooking energy in form of fuel briquettes made from biodegradable waste and providing associated energy-saving stoves. Beyond this, the project encompasses better solid waste management; conservation of existing forests; better solid-waste management; promoting better health and sanitation; and, creating jobs for un-employed youth and women. 

Project activities included:

a)   Awareness Education and Training. 

This included training of community groups, participation in exhibitions and presentations in national and international conferences.

b)  Recycling of household waste into fuel briquettes;

c)   Continuous Demonstration, documentation and sharing.

Some of the project achievements included the following:

1. Established a workshop for making fuel briquettes; this also functions as  a model for training.  Components of the workshop include machinery for charring waste and making briquettes as well as the drying chamber.
2. Trained at least 50 youths and women group members in making fuel briquettes; At least twenty percent of these (10) are currently directly employed in briquette making.
3. Educated at least 100 households directly – and other indirectly through news supplements, public seminars etc  on the use of fuel briquettes as a more economical and cleaner alternative energy.  At least half of the households (50) have adopted the use of fuel briquettes and have phased out the use of charcoal and firewood.
4. Initiation of a demonstration and training centre in Ssese islands (Ssese Nature School).
5. Network opportunities identified and being followed up for purposes of future collaboration.

• Enabling Access to Energy (EASE/ETC Energy): Exploring utilising their expertise in community-based energy-business models which can assist community groups to develop small-scale energy-based business
• French Embassy: Exploring a possibility of providing energy saving-stoves that use fuel briquettes at a subsidized amount so that they can be afforded by a wider layer of community members.
• Norgesvel (Sustainable Renewable Energy Programme): Exploring opportunities of networking and energy-based businesses for small-scale companies.
• American Carbon Registry: Exploring opportunities of voluntary carbon trade.
• Envirofit: Exploring opportunities in improved briquette technology and promotion.

1. Some indirect achievements that were a result of project interventions include :

• Better solid waste management;
• Contribution to conservation of existing forests; and
• Contribution to better health and sanitation.

Future Plans

1. Developing Kalangala Town into a model town in solid waste management;
2. Development of Ssese Nature School into a centre of excellence in solid waste management, recycling and community adaptation training and demonstration with waste-to-energy as a key component;
3. Technology development to include user feed back and improving efficiency of the fuel briquettes and stoves.

Feedback

“I am very impressed…. I do not regret having nominated your work for an award, and the subsequent acquiring of the same.’  Irene Sekyaana, Programme Coordinator, Greenwatch Uganda.

“Thank you very much for your work which is great. The stove is working well and we would like to adopt using briquettes for our centre.” Gladys, Executive Director, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH).

“We resolved to be kind to ‘mother earth’ so we had already made up our minds on this cooking alternative – so now this project is an answer.” Eva Musoke, Ministry of Gender and Social Development.

“I was feeling guilty each time I bought charcoal as someone heading an environmental organisation. This project has enabled me to phase out charcoal completely.” Barbara B. Nakangu, Head, IUCN Uganda Office.