By Joyce Mukucha
In the quest to meet the global set goals in the Paris Agreement (2015) of accelerating measures by developing low carbon development pathways in industries, waste and agriculture among other sectors, the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry in partnership with ACT Alliance is taking strides to reduce vulnerability to climate change and climate related disasters in Zimbabwe.
This is being spearheaded through ensuring that mitigation measures by adopting and developing low carbon development pathways are accelerated.
Speaking during the Post Conference of Parties (COP25) Stakeholders workshop in Harare on the 28th of January 2020, the Climate Change Scientist in the Department of Climate Change Management Department, Tirivanhu Muhwati said climate change governance should be considered and mainstreamed at all levels in both urban and rural areas to make Zimbabwe a resilient and low carbon nation.
He emphasised that it was crucial for Zimbabwe to continue building capacity as well as remain transparent in as much as presenting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) information is pertained.
“There is need to develop new scientific tools and collective efforts to enhance national adaptation plans in curbing climate change. It is important to formulate and implement national adaptation plans to close the climate change gap. As a country, it is also significant to move in line with the Paris Agreement by ensuring that there is transparency pertaining reporting of the Nationally Determined Contributions. Zimbabwe and other developing countries negotiated for risk assessment, innovation and financing due to loss and damage happened as a result of climate change.
“Therefore, the discussions at the COP25 revealed that there is need for climate financing for developing nations set to commence in November 2020 where USD $100 billion will be availed annually. Therefore, this calls for Zimbabwe to abide by negotiations and also use communications Tabular formats for mitigation policies and measures, actions and plans that will help in eliminating climate change,” he said.
Pertaining damage and loss recently experienced in Zimbabwe due to climate change, the Acting Permanent Secretary for Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Enivah Mutsau said the country’s socio-economic development was under threat. Thus there was need for concerted efforts to strengthen governance structures for the climate policy framework to increase Zimbabwe’s resilience, climate variability and climate change management.
Dr Mutsau also elaborated that Zimbabwe as a developing nation is compelled to invest more in urgent adaptation and environmental friendly technologies thats produce less gas which contribute to global warming. Without investing in efficient technologies, she said, in the future decades, health, water, agriculture, energy, environment and other sectors would be at risk.
From a gender and climate change perspective, the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Tariro Chipepera said women were affected by climate change and it was high time for Zimbabwe to put in place systems that guide the formulation of plans, strategies and budgeting that are gender sensitive and gender responsive to address the climate change related gender inequalities.
“There is need for policies to be strengthened to mainstream gender segregated approaches in climate change adaptation and interventions especially for rural women and disadvantaged and vulnerable key groups. On the other hand, Zimbabwe is doing quite well but there is need to improve leadership and participation of indigenous women to ensure gender equality, women are not only victims but they also play a critical role in mitigating climate change,” said.
During the COP25, Chipepera said the Gender Action Plan (GAP) that was formulated is aimed at enhancing the systematic integration of gender considerations into climate policy action plans.
In his welcome remarks, Climate Change Director, Washington Zhakata stressed that a climate conscious society is necessary to increase participation in climate mitigation and adaptation projects in the country.
As highlighted in its NDC, Zimbabwe aims to reduce its per capita energy sector emissions by 33 percent below the projected Business as usual scenario by 2030.