Adv Mudenda on climate change

SPEAKER of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda has implored Southern African Development Community (Sadc) member states to adopt robust climate action strategies in the region.

Adv Mudenda who was recently in Namibia participating in a high-level regional panel workshop on enhancing climate resilience in Southern Africa, said Africa should adopt efficient strategies to combat climate change.

“I firmly believe that Members of Parliament play a crucial role in advocating for environmental conservation. By establishing Parliamentary conservation caucuses and equipping legislators with the necessary knowledge, we can drive meaningful change and foster a culture of sustainability,” he said.

The workshop ran under the theme “Fostering Sustainable Futures: Integrating Climate Resilience in Southern Africa.”

Adv Mudenda underscored the importance of incorporating environmental conservation as a fundamental human right in national constitutions and advocated for the implementation of legislation that translates these principles into tangible actions.

He said it is imperative to engage communities and the private sector as key stakeholders in climate resilience efforts.

Adv Mudenda called for comprehensive climate action legislation that permeates all sectors of the economy and cited Zimbabwe’s pioneering approach with the Climate Change Management Bill as a model for effective climate governance.

He said the role of technology in climate adaptation and mitigation such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) helps revolutionise climate action strategies.

“AI can provide invaluable predictive analytics on climate patterns, enabling informed decision-making and real-time monitoring of environmental changes. Collaborations with leading institutions specialising in AI can serve as crucial benchmarks for harnessing technology in our sustainability endeavours,” said Adv Mudenda.

He said the region could draw inspiration from global initiatives such as the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in the United Arab Emirates and Riga University in Finland.
Adv Mudenda said it is important to leverage AI capabilities to achieve the ambitious goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.

“By embracing cutting-edge technologies and innovative legislative frameworks, Southern African nations can pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future,” he said.

Quoting popular British explorer and global environmental activist Robert Swan, Adv Mudenda said the greatest threat to the planet is the belief that someone else will save it.

“We should act now to prevent devastating impacts. A sustainable future for Southern Africa necessitates a holistic, collaborative approach prioritising climate resilience, ecosystem preservation and robust legal frameworks,” he said.
Adv Mudenda said if the region acts now, the environmental ecosystems will thrive, green economies will grow and communities will prosper thus unlocking the region’s potential to thrive amidst climate change challenges.

The workshop, which was aimed at addressing pressing needs for climate resilience and environmental conservation efforts in Southern Africa, was attended by climate action experts among them the head of the regional programme, Energy Security and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa (KAS) Anja Berreta, and the executive director of the Southern Africa Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) Jane Olwoch.

The Southern African region has been experiencing devastating effects of climate change, including persistent droughts. Experts have called for urgent action to develop climate-resilient strategies and comprehensive environmental conservation efforts.

During last week’s 55th Plenary Assembly of the Sadc Parliamentary Forum, held in Luanda Angola, Adv Mudenda called for the region to adopt and advocate for comprehensive energy policy frameworks, higher budget allocations for renewable energy development and regional co-operation to harmonise energy policies.