Field Note: Developing the Climate Rationale for Climate Resilient WASH Services in Uganda

With small investments in desk research and through extensive multi-stakeholder consultation, a demonstrated climate-rationale has been formulated in Uganda, in which the observed and projected impacts of climate change on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services are articulated through a solid analysis, and technical and non-technical solutions are identified to mitigate and adapt to the climate risks. The climate rationale sets out the evidence for embedding climate-related risks and vulnerabilities to both WASH policymaking and programming. It sets the broad trends of Uganda’s exposure to climate change, highlights the effects of climate change on WASH critical infrastructure, and presents the rationale for a WASH sector response.  This Field Note describes the step-by-step approach adopted in Uganda to strengthen the delivery of climate resilient WASH services. It introduces a variety of approaches and tools that can be used as entry points for the effective integration of a climate lens in WASH sector diagnosis. Therefore, in each step and for all proposed activities, it presents i) the rationale, ii) the main methodological issues that need to be taken into consideration for its proper implementation, as well as iii) achieved results.  The document is primarily intended for UNICEF WASH officers and specialists, but the target audience also includes government planners, decision makers and practitioners at national, sub-national and local levels responsible for WASH services provision, and their associated WASH development partners. It provides useful guidance on “What to do” and “How to do it”, in terms of actions that can be taken to strengthen WASH climate resilience.