Overview of Climate Change

Lesotho’s GHG Profile

According to Article 4, paragraph 1 (a), and Article 12, paragraph 1(a) of the Convention, developing countries are to prepare and communicate to the Conference of the Parties (COP), a national inventory of anthropogenic emissions by sources and re-movals by sinks of all greenhouse gases (GHGs) not controlled by the Montreal Pro-tocol, to the extent its capacities permit, following the provisions in these guidelines. 

Although Lesotho is not a major contributor of greenhouse gases (GHGs) globally, it is a net emitter, hence its small contribution still add up to the total GHGs in the world. Compilation of greenhouse gas inventory in Lesotho is done through two main projects, namely; National Communications and Biennial Reports.

Lesotho has compiled four National GHG inventories to date. Based on the revised 1996 IPCC guidelines the country compiled two inventories for the year 1994 and 2000. While under the 2006 IPCC guidelines the 3rd inventory was compiled covering the years 2005 to 2010 under the Third National Communication and 4th inventory covered the years 2011 to 2017. Lesotho has experienced a decrease in GHG emission between 2011 and 2013 due to the decrease in energy sector emissions resulting from decreased consumption of petroleum fuels over that period as well as decrease in AFOLU emissions. The country’s net GHG emissions amounted to 5 660.44 Gg CO2e in 2017, with the energy, AFOLU, waste and IPPU sectors contributing 50.5%, 42.7%, 6.5% and 0.3% respectively. Residential energy consumption is the biggest contributor to the energy sector emissions.

As depicted in energy sector had been the most contributing sector to the inventory followed by AFOLU sector between the years 2013 and 2017. The opposite was observed for the years 2011 and 2012 from the same figures, while the IPPU sector was the least contributor throughout the period averaging 0.14%.

Summary of Lesotho's
GHG Inventory

GHG Profile
GHG-profile
let’s talk

Lesotho Climate Change Unit

Contact us

The Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) is the national meteorological agency of the Kingdom of Lesotho. 

quick links

Contact Info

Lesotho Meteorological Services
Options Building 2nd and 3rd Floor Pioneer Road | Maseru 100

+266 22324376

© 2024 Lesotho Meteorological Services. All Rights Reserved.
Facebook-f Twitter Instagram

The GEF Trust Fund constitutes the most popular source of climate finance in Lesotho, having funded over 42 projects, including both national and global/regional initiatives. In terms of focus, GEF funded projects have been geared broadly towards tackling the drivers of environmental degradation. As such, the major focal areas of the fund disbursement in Lesotho have been biodiversity; land degradation; climate change policies, strategies and plans; organic pollution and water – all of which are more or less in line with the fund’s priority globally. Direct climate financing from Global Environment Fund (GEF) is accessible through the Department of Environment, which is a GEF focal point in the Ministry of Defence, National Security and Environment. (Home | GEF)

Close

The Green Climate Fund has the potential to help countries like Lesotho meet their adaptation and mitigation finance needs. Currently, there is one cross-cutting GCF-funded project in Lesotho, among other three recipient countries – South Africa, Eswatini and Namibia. 

The project is geared towards addressing critical market barriers in accelerating private sector climate investments. Lesotho has also accessed five (5) projects under the GCFs Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme. The process for accessing funding under the GCF begin from an assessment of the needs of Lesotho and includes extensive stakeholder engagement. The fund is accessed through the National Designated Authority (NDA) and the Accredited Entity (AE) (Lesotho | Green Climate Fund).

 
Close

Like the Adaptation Fund, the Climate Investment Funds constitutes a climate funding stream that many African countries are not able to access. CIF is an enabler of pioneering climate-smart planning and climate action in low and middle-income economies, many of which are the least prepared yet the most prone to the challenges of climate change. CIF responds to the worldwide climate crisis with large-scale, low-cost, and long-term financial solutions to support countries achieve their climate objectives. In Lesotho, there is only a single project with finance from the fund. The project, entitled “Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project”, is geared towards funding renewable energy investments. The fund is accessed through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in Lesotho. (The Climate Investment Funds (CIF)).

Close

The Special Climate Change Fund is also being governed by GEF and Lesotho has not accessed funds as the fund is dry majority of the time. Lesotho as an LDC competes with other developing countries to access the funds. (Special Climate Change Fund – SCCF | GEF)

Close

The LDCF, which is governed by GEF, is a vital source of climate funds in the context of Lesotho. It constitutes the most significant finance stream in Lesotho, having funded national projects to the tune of over US$ 36 million as of 2022. Indeed, it is second in significance to the GEF Trust Fund only in terms of the number of nationally funded projects (8 national projects compared to 15 for GEF). Regarding sectoral distribution and focus of LDCF, the data suggests that LDCF resources are geared towards water resources management, enhancing the resilience of agricultural production and food systems, and climate information services and capacity building. (Least Developed Countries Fund – LDCF | GEF)

Close

The Adaptation Fund is one of the least accessed climate funds and Lesotho just accessed funds (count of US$ 10 million) through Word Food Programme as the accredited entity. The project, entitled “Improving adaptive capacity of vulnerable and food-insecure populations in Lesotho”, is being implemented and pertains to agriculture and food security. It is accessed through LMS and Accredited Entity (AF | Adaptation Fund)

Close