Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A NEW digital tool is set to curb the abuse of funds earmarked for the climate change adaptation and resilience efforts – as part of broader measures by authorities to prevent officials from misusing funds through unjustified travel and subsistence allowances.
The tool, introduced as part of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to curb the scourge, was revealed during a workshop for the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency Phase Two project in Zimbabwe, held at the Civic Centre in Mutare on Tuesday.
In October last year, Government launched the National Climate Change NAP to coordinate efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The plan focuses on climate action in eight key sectors: agriculture, water, forestry, biodiversity, tourism, health, human
settlements, and infrastructure. Its implementation is closely tied to the rollout of sectoral and local development plans by local authorities.
With support from the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) and technical expertise from UNEP-Copenhagen Climate Centre, a digital tool and manual have been developed to assist in implementing the NAP monitoring and evaluation framework. Four local authorities are participating in the pilot project. Chief Director for Meteorology and Climate Change Management in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Mr Washington Zhakata said gallivanting by officials under the false pretext of climate change data collection will be significantly minimised by the use of the digital tool.
He was represented at the meeting by the ministry’s Acting Director, Climate Change Management Department, Mr Kudzai Ndidzano.
“We are developing a systematic approach to monitoring and evaluation. To be fair, previously, officials could claim to be struggling financially and use that as an excuse to embark on a monitoring and evaluation trip. They would apply for a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and visit only a few places. However, our new approach requires a systematic and well-planned methodology, with set time frequencies for data collection. This information will also be shared to inform policy and decision-making processes.
“Previously, we relied on traditional methods, but we are now introducing a digital tool to enhance our data collection process. This innovation enables timely data collection and minimises the risk of altering entered data. Once you enter the data and send it, you cannot make changes. This digital tool provides a more accurate reflection of our progress.
We appreciate our partners’ support in implementing this project,” said Mr Zhakata.
Climate Change Scientist and ICAT Zimbabwe Country Manager, Ms Jingjing Gao, said: “Climate is changing, and what we can do is getting prepared for that. To do that we need to understand the risk that we are facing. This project will be contributing towards this process through capturing and reporting data on the risks to Central Government to allow mobilization of resources for response.”
Mutare City Acting Town Clerk, Mrs Emma Mandiziba emphasised the importance of environmental preservation, citing the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai in March 2019.
“It is unfortunate that as local authorities, we are often viewed as the enemy when we enforce environmental regulations, such as slashing crops in undesignated areas. People think that we are cruel.
However, the trauma experienced in Chimanimani and Chipinge during Cyclone Idai serves as a stark reminder of the need for proactive environmental preservation.
“We still bear the scars, and the memories of Cyclone Idai’s devastation remain fresh in our minds. We cannot afford to relive that trauma. The recurring flooding, we experience every rainy season serves as a stark reminder of our vulnerability. To mitigate this, we must adhere to proper environmental preservation guidelines,” she said.
The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) project, supported by ICAT, UNOPS, and UNEP-CCC, is currently in its pilot phase.
Four local authorities – Mutare City Council, Nyanga Rural District Council, Tsholotsho Rural District Council, and Gweru City Council – are participating in the project’s implementation before its nationwide rollout.
