By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Production of low carbon in the country is vital in the fight against climate change which has negatively impacted the globe.
This comes after the country is working towards gazetting of the Climate Change Management Bill.
The Bill will work towards enhancing climate change adoption and mitigation efforts including investment in and regulation of the carbon credits market, establishment of a national climate fund and strengthening of institutional arrangements.
The stakeholder engagement and consultation meeting on the draft of the Climate Change Management Bill led by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni captured diverse views from Masvingo Province on Friday last week at Flamboyant Hotel.
Speaking at the Bill consultations, Tirivanhu Muhwati a climate change scientist, stated that the principles of the Bill will respond to climate change.
“These principles seek to create legislation that enables Zimbabwe to effectively respond to the impacts of climate change, build climate resilience, promote low carbon development, establish a climate change fund and comply with international obligations on climate change management and ozone layer protection.
“The Bill will align with the Environmental Management Act on allowable thresholds for greenhouse gas emissions standards. Through the Bill, there will be a provision mechanism where entities found emitting in excess of the emission standards will be obliged to purchase locally carbon credits. This will eventually lead to the creation of a local carbon credits trading system,” he stated.
He added that the environment needs to be protected for present and future generations.
“The Bill seeks to align with Section 73 of the Constitution, which caters for environmental rights, and speaks to the need to have the environment protected for present and future generations through legislative and other measures.
This will make sure they provide a regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, facilitate low carbon development technologies and carbon trading as well as put in place measures to reduce the use of ozone depleting substances.
Muhwati also stated that there are benefits of embarking on low carbon emissions.
“There are benefits with embarking on a low carbon and sustainable development trajectory including funding, access to the carbon market, creation of green jobs, resilience building among others,” he said.
Deputy director, climate change management department in the Ministry, Kudzai Ndidzano outlined that there is need for the Climate Change Management Bill in the country.
“The Bill will strengthen institutional arrangements, governance and regulation for a comprehensive and holistic response to climate change, so as to be able to establish a climate financing framework for the country. The Bill will make sure it facilitates data collection, sharing and access for reporting purposes.
“There is also need to complete high emitting sectors to reduce emissions and strengthen governance and regulation for Carbon Trading which will be in compliance with the UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment- implementation, monitoring and reporting. The Bill will enhance climate action both mitigation and adaption,” said Ndidzano.
Belinda Pasi who was present at the consultations told The Midweek Watch that she hopes the recommendations will be implemented to the letter and timeously.
“The Bill is a good initiative and we rally behind it. I just hope it will be successfully implemented and will not face resilience from other people as adherence is a challenge. So l hope all that has been mentioned will be implemented and help in the fight against climate change as the country is facing El Nino weather disruptions on regular basis,” said Pasi.
Henry Chivhanga, director for Disabilities Amalgamated Trust said the Bill should also consider those with disabilities.
“The Bill should not be silent on people with disabilities, there is need to know the plans of the Ministry when it comes to people with disabilities in tackling climate change as they are also affected.
“So, we need to know the position the Ministry is taking for the betterment of our lives. I applaud the Ministry for developing the Climate Change Management Bill but they should seriously look at the impact of climate change on people with disabilities,” said Chivhanga.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra R Chadzamira told the meeting that Masvingo has invested in climate change mitigation strategies.
“As a Province we have invested a lot of time and resources in implementing climate change mitigation strategies like nutritional gardens, solarised boreholes, construction of weir dams, practising conservation agriculture and farming of traditional grains, agro ecology and the growing of winter wheat for sufficient food production.
“In order to better respond to this threat as a Province and nation, as Government we pledge to ensure compliance, mainstreaming and provide funding in relation to climate change adaption and mitigation actions,” he said.
