By Keith Mawoyo
As climate change becomes the biggest threat to humankind and the global economy, the Zimbabwean government is pushing for the formulation of a climate change bill.
The bill is expected to then pave way for the establishment of the much needed national climate change fund.
The bill also seeks to guide climate change management in the country by establishing the requisite principles, approaches and provisions that are necessary for its proper implementation.
It will also mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in economic and social development at national, provincial and local levels through multi-stakeholder engagement; provide for incentives to support Zimbabwe’s national emission reduction efforts and ensure compliance to the global mechanisms.
In his presentation on climate adaptation projects underway in the country at a capacity building programme in Bulawayo yesterday, the deputy director of climate change management department in the ministry of environment, climate, tourism and hospitality industry, Mr Kudzai Ndidzano said among other things the bill will ensure funding for climate mitigation programmes.
Mr Ndidzano added that the media should play its part in raising awareness so that citizens are aware of how they can contribute towards climate change mitigation.
He also said the climate change bill will enable the country to report on its climate actions under the enhanced transparency framework of the Paris agreement.
Three of Zimbabwe’s provinces have received an allocation of US$47, 7 million under the “Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Africa” programme which aims to ensure the adoption of climate change mechanisms at community level.
The funding for the The project comes from the partnership between the Government, the green climate fund and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The programme will run until 2027 with the aim of reaching 15 districts and 137 wards in Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Manicaland.
Under the programme the giver has availed more than US$20 million while Green Climate Fund availed US$26,5 million while the UNDP has availed US$1,2 million.
