The ministry is responsibility of ensuring that the constitutional right of every person to live in and enjoy a clean, healthy and ecologically balanced environment, and resilience against climate change, drought, and related disasters is achieved.
The Ministry has constructed flood mitigation structures under a new climate change adaptation framework, supported by the United Nations and the European Union, as part of efforts to address the increasingly erratic climate in the region.[5]
In the Nugal region, which suffered severe flooding due to a tropical storm that claimed over 100 lives in late 2013, two flood detention and retention dams have been built, according to the Ministry of Environment.[5]
On 30 April 2015, a government delegation visited the newly completed sand dam at Bilcil, located 65 kilometres (41 miles) east of Garoowe, constructed across a strategic stream to enhance climate resilience against flooding.[5]
Initially named Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Rural Developmentabbreviated MoECCRD later changed Ministry of Environment, Range and Climate Change (MoERCC).
On 11 October 2018, the ministry in collaboration with Yombays Village and with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funding from the Global Environment Facility, constructed a new 5,000-cubic-metre earth dam near Yombays town in the Nugaal region. This dam will provide clean, safe water to over 5,000 people in the area, of whom more than 4,000 are from nomadic pastoralist communities.[6]
Environmental Protection: A commitment to halting deforestation, preventing wildlife poaching, and addressing widespread environmental degradation that has significantly affected Puntland’s fragile ecosystems.
Regulation of Urban Expansion: The establishment of stringent guidelines to curb unauthorised urbanisation and land development, ensuring sustainable land-use policies.
Conservation Advocacy: Promoting awareness and enforcing policies to safeguard Puntland’s natural resources from exploitation and unsustainable practices.
Community-Led Climate Action: Encouraging municipalities to adopt climate-sensitive development strategies and integrate environmental protection into local governance frameworks.
International Collaboration: Urging the global community and development partners to prioritise funding for climate adaptation and environmental conservation initiatives in Puntland’s most affected regions.
On 24 January 2025, at least 140 dolphins were found stranded on Mareero Beach near Bosaso, the commercial hub and administrative capital of the Bari region in Puntland. Of these, 60 were confirmed dead, while 30 were successfully returned to the sea. The ministry-appointed committee has declared an investigation into the incident in colloboration with Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.[9][10][11]
