SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters.
  • Indicator 1.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
  • Indicator 1.5.2: Direct economic loss attributed to disasters in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP)
  • Indicator 1.5.3: Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030
  • Indicator 1.5.4: Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
  • Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
  • Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
  • Indicator 11.5.2: Direct economic loss in relation to global GDP, damage to critical infrastructure and number of disruptions to basic services, attributed to disasters

• Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.
  • Indicator 11.b.1: Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030
  • Indicator 11.b.2: Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
  • Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
  • Indicator 12.2.2: Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
  • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
  • Indicator 13.1.2: Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030
  • Indicator 13.1.3: Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies

• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
  • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production (including a national adaptation plan, nationally determined contribution, national communication, biennial update report or other)

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
  • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area
  • Indicator 15.1.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type

• Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
  • Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area

• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
  • Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

• Target 15.7: Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.
  • Indicator 15.7.1: Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked

Climate risk and desertification pose significant threats to Chad. Intensifying climate change is expected to turn Chad into a hotspot for extreme high temperatures, droughts, and desertification in the coming decades. Persistent drought has accelerated desertification in the north, with the Saharan and Sahelian climatic zones shifting 150km southward. This shift has reduced agricultural and pastoral lands, leading to the displacement of herders and farmers and generally exacerbating inequalities and discrimination.

Water scarcity is already high across the Saharan and most of the Sahelian zones, with droughts anticipated every five years on average, a situation that climate change will worsen. NASA forecasts indicate that Lake Chad could disappear within 20 years at the current rate of water use and increased silting of upstream rivers. Given the heavy reliance of agricultural production, livestock farming, and fishing on freshwater resources, improved management is crucial. Climate change will amplify the existing human pressure on these systems, necessitating better management to ensure access to freshwater for Chadians. River flood hazard is classified as high over the Sudanian and Sahelian zones, with potentially damaging and life-threatening floods expected at least once every 10 years, a risk that climate change may intensify.

In this context, the Local Development and Climate Change Adaptation Project (ALBIA – Projet de Développement Local et d’Adaptation aux changements climatiques) aims to improve natural resource management and livelihoods in selected climate-vulnerable areas in and around the Ouadi Rime and Ouadi Achim (OROA) reserve in Chad. The project intends to support local inclusive development by enhancing natural resources management, providing basic water and sanitation services, and increasing income-generating opportunities. Specifically, it seeks to: (i) strengthen the resilience of community livelihoods around protected areas in the Chadian Sahelo-Saharan savannah, (ii) promote sustainable and integrated agro-sylvo-pastoral production systems, (iii) improve access to drinkable water and sanitation services, and (iv) create income-generating activities.

Conserving biodiversity and reducing the impacts of climate change will guide these objectives, addressing constraints such as (a) a lack of sound practices in sustainable natural resource use, (b) limited livelihood options for the most vulnerable communities, (c) community vulnerability to climatic shocks, and (d) inadequate management of protected areas. The project comprises four components:

• Promote Sustainable Natural Resources Management and Conserve Protected Areas
• Promoting Diversified, Resilient, Sustainable Livelihoods
• Project Management, Coordination, and Monitoring
• Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC, Standardized)

The project is being implemented in the provinces of Kanem, Batha, Wadi Fira, Borkou, Ennedi West, and Barh El Gazal, covering 636,173 sq km in the center and north/northeast of the country. These sparsely populated areas were recently ranked among the least developed in terms of access to basic services and governance under the Local Development Index (LDI). Notably, Kanem and Borkou score significantly lower than the national average in Human Capital Index points, which includes indicators related to child mortality, education, and access to health. Food insecurity and long-term low-level conflict, particularly in border areas with Libya, Sudan, and Niger, have also contributed to deepening poverty in these regions.

The project is implementing targeted actions to improve natural resource management and livelihoods in climate-vulnerable areas around OROA. To strengthen conservation efforts, it is enhancing protected area management, expanding sustainable landscape practices, and increasing wildlife patrols while reinforcing policies to combat wildlife crime. For livelihood improvements, the project is working to provide access to improved water sources, promote climate-resilient agricultural technologies, and support farmers with assets and training. It is also fostering gender-inclusive community decision-making and building local committees to engage communities in sustainable resource management. Additionally, efforts are underway to address grievances and enhance climate resilience among vulnerable populations.

The impacts of climate change have been profound across the entire country. The project area serves as a buffer zone against desertification and is home to endangered animal species like the Oryx, Dama, and Dorcas gazelles. It provides refuge for critical Sahelo-Saharan species, including great bustards, vultures, and a diverse range of birds and small to medium-sized carnivores. The wildlife reserves span the provinces of: (i) Batha, (ii) Barh El Gazal, (iii) Borkou, (iv) Ennedi West, (v) Kanem, and (vi) Wadi Fira. Climate change exacerbates existing conflicts among resource users and may contribute to intercommunal violence in several provinces, especially in the east of the country.

This project aims to prevent and mitigate such negative effects by supporting the management of the OROA Reserve by enhancing the monitoring of wildlife, enforcement of protection, and fire control and prevention as well as raising the Reserve’s profile and maximizing economic opportunities. It aims to do this through the construction/rehabilitation of priority infrastructure, zoning, both for delimitating the external boundaries of the Reserve and identifying sensitive zones inside the Reserve, purchasing of equipment to facilitate transport and communication throughout the Reserve’s territory, capacity building for guards and outreach and communication, to engage with local populations, raise awareness of Chadians, and develop tourism opportunities.

Additionally, the project will provide institutional support for the fight against poaching, from local to regional/international scales. It aims to achieve this through supporting the elaboration and application of decrees of existing environmental law and recommending implementing legislation to achieve substantial minimum penalties against illegal hunting and possession of, or trade in, elephant products and other species. Also, through strengthening and operationalization of both the Directorate of Business Litigation of the Ministry of the Environment for better coordination with the courts and the national Agency for Conservation and establishing a network of community workers and necessary equipment. Finally, through encouraging regional dialogue and cooperation against illegal ivory trade and raising awareness and educating targeted populations on biodiversity protection and wildlife crime.

These are only a few examples of specific actions this program entails. There are also initiatives to promote participative and sustainable management of natural resources, citizen engagement and capacity building activities, water resources planning and monitoring, and Income opportunities and resilient livelihoods. All initiatives are parts of an integrated program for economic inclusion, environmental resilience and climate risk prevention and mitigation.

· Integrated approaches are crucial for addressing interconnected challenges: The project recognizes the intertwined nature of poverty, climate change, and natural resource degradation, necessitating integrated interventions.

· Strengthening local livelihoods enhances resilience: By aiming to improve income-generating opportunities and promote sustainable agriculture, the project directly contributes to building the resilience of vulnerable populations to climate shocks.

· Effective natural resource management is fundamental for both environmental protection and livelihoods: The project’s dual objectives recognize that sustainable management of resources like land and water is critical for conserving biodiversity and supporting local economies.

· Capacity building is essential for implementing new frameworks: The identified need for training on the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) highlights the importance of investing in the skills of implementing agencies when adopting new operational standards. 

· Monitoring and evaluation are vital for tracking progress and informing adaptive management: The provided coverage indicators demonstrate an effort to track progress towards objectives, which is crucial for identifying successes and areas needing improvement.

· Addressing gender inequalities is an important aspect of inclusive development: The specific indicator on female representation in decision-making structures underscores the project’s attention to gender considerations.

Access to basic drinking water and sanitation services, and hygiene facilities; Climate resilient agricultural technologies; Integrated programmes for economic inclusion

UNDP Climate Change Adaptation

World Bank

African Development Bank

Global Environment Facility

This project operates under a multi-level governance structure: the World Bank serves as the financing and implementing institution, the government of the Republic of Chad is the borrower, and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Fisheries acts as the implementing agency.

The Ministry of the Environment, Water and Fisheries, with its mandate encompassing the design and implementation of strategies, policies, and programs for the sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection, will spearhead the project’s execution. The Ministry comprises various technical directorates and specialized agencies dedicated to combating desertification, conserving biodiversity, enforcing environmental regulations, preventing pollution, and fighting wildlife poaching. Notably, the Direction d’Evaluation Environnementale et de Lutte Contre les Pollutions et Nuisances (DEELCPN) holds the responsibility for issuing environmental permits for all investments in Chad and for validating Environmental and Social Impact studies, including the safeguard instruments prepared for World Bank-financed projects. While the Ministry possesses some experience in implementing World Bank projects under the Operational Policies (OPs), its capacity regarding the new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) is limited. Recognizing the expanded scope of the ESF, continuous capacity building and training will be essential throughout the project’s duration and will be detailed in the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP).

It is also important to note that the Community Sustainable Natural Resources Management component (USD $5 million) will be implemented by a specialized agency, to be identified during project preparation. To optimize development benefits, the activities financed under this component will be prepared and implemented in collaboration with other specialized agencies. These partners, including potential organizations such as CARE, GIZ, OXFAM, and AFD, as well as those already engaged in social and environmental/climate change adaptation activities within the project area, will be identified and selected during the preparation stage.

In the most recent Implementation Status & Results Report, released by the World Bank on March 9th, 2025, each project objective and component received the following ratings, considering the closing target deadline of October, 2025:

Objective – Improve the management of natural resources in selected climate-vulnerable areas in and around OROA

• Share of populations of key species stabilized or increased on the OROA Reserve’s territory. Coverage: The project has currently achieved 100% of the targeted species stabilization or increase, exceeding the final target.
• Terrestrial protected area under improved management for conservation and sustainable use. Coverage: As of June 2024, 62,360 km² are under improved management, representing approximately 80% of the final target.
• Land area under sustainable landscape management practices. Coverage: Currently, 650 Ha are under sustainable landscape management, which is 32.5% of the intended target.

Objective – Improve the livelihood of populations in selected climate-vulnerable areas in and around OROA

• People provided with access to improved water sources. Coverage: No people have been provided with access to improved water sources as of the last reported date.
• People provided with access to improved water sources. Coverage: Similarly, no females have been provided with access to improved water sources yet.
• Farmers adopting improved agricultural technology. Coverage: 125 farmers have adopted improved agricultural technology, representing 25% of the final target.

Component 1. Sustainable Natural Resources Management and Protected Areas

• Terrestrial and aquatic areas under enhanced conservation and management. Coverage: The project has currently reached 100% of its target for terrestrial and aquatic areas under enhanced conservation and management.
• Number of basic infrastructure built on protected area. Coverage: No basic infrastructure has been built on the protected area yet.
• Increased frequency and scope (% of PA area) of patrols for wildlife monitoring and protection. Coverage: The frequency and scope of patrols have increased to 80% of the protected area, exceeding the final target.
• Policies strengthened and national legal frameworks to combat wildlife crime. Coverage: Policies have been strengthened and national legal frameworks are in place, achieving the target.

Component 2. Promoting Diversified, Resilient, Sustainable Livelihoods

• Representatives in community-based decision-making and management structures that are females. Coverage: 40% of representatives in these structures are female, which is 80% of the target.
• People with enhanced resilience to climate risks. Coverage: 2,500 people have enhanced resilience to climate risks, representing 50% of the target.
• Participants to training and sensibilization sessions. Coverage: 1,979 participants have attended these sessions, which is approximately 39.6% of the target.
• Number of inclusive and participatory local community SNRM committees and mechanisms operational. Coverage: The target of 5 operational committees and mechanisms has already been achieved.
• Farmers reached with agricultural assets or services. Coverage: 491 farmers have been reached, representing 19.64% of the target.

Component 3: Project Management, Coordination, and Monitoring

• Grievances registered related to delivery of project benefits that are addressed. Coverage: 2% of registered grievances have been addressed.

In their Project Information Document, the World Bank projected a total project cost of 54,45 million US dollars, of which 50 mi are financed through the World Bank Group´s International Development Association (IDA) and 4.45 mi are financed through trust funds.

In the most recent Implementation Status & Results Report the project´s cost by component is as follows: Component 1.Sustainable Natural Resources Management and Protected Areas: Cost 13,000,000.00 (USD). Component 2. Promoting Diversified, Resilient, Sustainable Livelihoods: Cost 36,450,000.00 (USD). Component 3. Project Management, Coordination, and Monitoring: Cost 5,000,000.00 (USD). Component 4. Contingency Emergency Response Component: Cost 0.00 (USD).

Additionally, a Co-financing Total of 62,900,000 (U$ dollars) with 4,450,170 dollars coming from a Global Enviroment Facility Project Grant and 400,515 dollars going towards GEF Agency Fees.

National Institute of Statistics, Economic and Demographic Studies (INSEED)

https://projectsportal.afdb.org/dataportal/

https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P171611

https://www.thegef.org/projects-operations/projects/10315