Environmental analysis news: Wales forges climate change partnership

The Welsh Assembly Government has announced its involvement in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

As part of the scheme, Wales will form a partnership with the African nation of Uganda through work in the region of Mbale.

In one of five pilot projects, Wales will provide expertise and funding towards a number of initiatives in the region aimed to help the area deal with the effects of climate change over a period of three years.

One of the first activities to be carried out under the UNDP will be the creation of a tree nursery to provide shade to coffee plants under a Fairtrade cooperative.

Carwyn Jones, Welsh first minister, explained: "Coffee is the region's biggest export, providing a livelihood for thousands of people. If temperatures in the area rise by just two degrees C, then they will be unable to grow the crop."

This is the first time that the UN has paired up developed and developing nations in its efforts to combat global warming and its effects.

According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Mbale is an agricultural trade centre and one of Uganda's principle dairies is located in the area.

Posted by Claire Manning