Deputy Minister Office of the Vice President (Union and Environment) Hon. Khamis Hamza Khamis has said that the Government has registered 63 carbon trading projects through various sectors.

Hon. Khamis has informed Parliament in Dodoma today November 06, 2024 while answering the question of the Member of Parliament for the State of Peace Hon. Abdul Yussuf Maalim who wanted to know what plan the Government has to increase the scope of carbon trading to reduce the damage caused by deforestation in the country.

Continuing to answer the question, Deputy Minister Khamis mentioned the sectors in the registered projects including Agriculture (8 percent), Energy (33 percent), Forestry (51 percent), Livestock (5 percent) and Waste Management (3 percent).

He said that among the projects registered through the Forestry Sector, four involve tree planting activities, 20 projects are for reducing the damage and loss of forests and five projects are for restoring natural vegetation.

In addition, Hon. Khamis has explained that the Government continues to implement the National Strategy for Clean Energy for Cooking (2024 - 2034) which encourages the use of clean energy for cooking including natural gas, renewable energy, alternative charcoal and electricity that can contribute to Carbon Trading and reduce the use of wood and deforestation.

Likewise, he said the Government has prepared and is implementing the National Blue Economy Policy 2024 and the Strategy for the Implementation of the National Blue Economy Policy (2024-2034).

"Mr. Chairman, in this National Blue Economy Policy, we have set strategies to encourage the use of blue bonds and carbon trading in Blue Economy resource activities with the aim of increasing the scope of carbon trading in the country to strengthen environmental conservation, " he said.

On the other hand, Deputy Minister Khamis has said that the Government is taking concrete plans to ensure that forests become a part of income through carbon trading in villages, sheias and districts by involving citizens in preserving them.

Answering additional questions of Hon. An expert on the steps the Government is taking to take care of the forests and how Zanzibar has benefited from the carbon trade, Hon. Khamis has explained that

The Office of the Vice President of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has started to provide education at various levels including parliamentarians about the opportunities available in carbon trading on the part of Zanzibar as well as supporting them in preparing carbon trading regulations.