SEO Riders:
- – The Gambia reaches nationwide consensus on its new Climate Change Bill and Policy
– New legal framework paves the way for a just, green, and blue economy
- – Natural Eco Capital, World Bank, WACA drive inclusive, resilient climate legislation
In a historic move, Gambian stakeholders have unanimously endorsed the draft National Climate Change Bill and its accompanying National Climate Change Policy, positioning the country to enter a new era of climate resilience. The validation workshop, held on August 18–19, 2025 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, brought together government officials, civil society, and international partners including the World Bank and IMF. The draft was developed under the expert guidance of Natural Eco Capital from Nigeria and supported by the WACA programme.
The newly validated framework outlines an integrated legal and strategic roadmap to confront The Gambia’s most pressing climate vulnerabilities—from sea-level ris to coastal erosion—and to advance a fair transition to a green and blue economy. Its foundation rests on five implementation pillars designed to support decentralized, inclusive action nationwide. Key features also include the establishment of a Climate Finance Directorate and a Climate Change Division within the Environmental Tribunal, as well as inclusion of a carbon rights framework to attract responsible climate investments. Following validation, the bill and policy will be forwarded to the Cabinet and National Assembly for legal enactment, marking a crucial next step in The Gambia’s journey toward formalizing ambitious and equitable climate governance.
