Mali National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)

Since the preparation of Mali’s communication for the Rio Conference in 1992, Malian technicians have been educated on climate change.  Gradually there is a growing awareness among the population, especially because of its proven effects on agricultural productivity and degradation of the country’s vegetal cover.  The ratification by Mali of the UNCCC in 1994 has given climate change right of place in the national environmental policy.

Since the 1970s several environmental events have been observed:

• the complete disappearance of isohyetes 1500 mm with the maximum rising to less than 1300 mm
• the sahelisation of the savanna
• the gradual advance to the south of arid and semi-arid regions right up to Mopti (around latitude 14°31’N),
• increase of the average temperature.
• Like all other countries in the Sahel, Mali is seriously threatened by desertification, coming as the consequence of two phenomena.
• drought on one hand;
• exploitation of the vegetal cover and soil use for harmful practices

If drought can be considered as a natural and periodical phenomenon in this part of the continent, its very frequent occurrence in the past years and the increase in average temperatures are the premise of global climate change.  Mali has made all efforts to contribute to climate conservation.  Ratifying the United Nations Convention on Climate Change is one example.  Mali has adhered to other United Nations Conventions on the Environment by signing and ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity (22 September 1992) and the Convention on Desertification (16 October 1994). To this should be added other national policy options on the Environment including climate change.  The development of the National Environmental Action Programme is one of such policies.