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Climate change shocks directly impact all sectors of the economy in Zimbabwe and requires global support and intervention to minimise damage and help Africa adjust, Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi said yesterday.
She told the Africa Adaptation Summit Friends of the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) high-level dialogue for COP27 being held this year in the Netherlands that sectors such as agriculture, a key anchor of Zimbabwe’s economy, are vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change.
“Climate change shocks directly impact all sectors of the economy in Zimbabwe with severe implications on the country’s development progress and poverty reduction efforts,” said Deputy Minister Rwodzi.
“The agriculture, natural environment, tourism and hospitality industries are important economic sectors as major foreign currency earners that are vulnerable to current and projected increases in erratic rainfall and recurrent droughts and other climate shocks.
“This calls for urgent enhanced climate change adaptation interventions across the entire African continent to be adequately financed, implemented, and monitored.”
Deputy Minister Rwodzi said Zimbabwe had made strides in developing climate responsive policies, strategies, and action plans at national, subnational, and sectoral planning levels.
Deputy Minister Rwodzi said the current National Development Strategy 1 mainstreamed adaptation to climate change across all its thematic areas with one on “Environmental Protection, Climate Resilience and Natural Resources Management” which sets a sector outcome of “Improved Climate Action”.
“It is the view of Zimbabwe that agriculture, infrastructure, youth and employment, and innovative adaptation finance are all critical enablers necessary for any country’s adaptation,” said Deputy Minister Rwodzi.
“It is critical that we harness the potential we have in the youths in the response to climate change taking advantage of the innovations, energy and ambitions existing in today’s youths.
“This potential can only be achieved through guidance, support and creating the enabling environment for their involvement,” said Deputy Minister Rwodzi.
Online Reporter