dyton mupawaenda
Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
LOCAL communities have been challenged to develop tailored solutions and leverage partnerships with stakeholders, including Government agencies, to mitigate the effects of climate change.
This comes at a time when the country is still battling the effects of climate change, including the El Niño-induced drought that hit the country and many SADC countries.
The Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, made the call yesterday at the Utariri Day Celebration, highlighting the transformative work of the Swedish-funded Utariri Integrated Climate Change, Biodiversity and Livelihoods Programme.
“The reality is that adaptation needs and vulnerabilities are locally specific. It is our communities and actors on the ground that are best placed to identify and implement the interventions needed to respond to their climate vulnerabilities.”
Dr Ndlovu added that the localisation of climate action was critical if the actions were to be locally relevant and have greater stakeholder buy-in.
“This includes strengthening their direct access to climate finance for us to realise the rewards of the ‘principles of locally led adaptation’ developed in 2021 and increasingly being viewed as best practice for designing and funding adaptation interventions at the local level,” she said.
The celebrations follow the successful implementation of sustainability projects in the mid-Zambezi Valley.
The Utariri Biodiversity, Climate Change and Livelihoods Programme was established in 2022 to accelerate climate adaptation, diversify livelihoods and income options, improve biodiversity management, and reduce extractive activities through community stewardship in Nyaminyami, Hurungwe, Mbire and Muzarabani.
The Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe,Per Lindgärde, said: “For us today, this Utariri Day is indeed an occasion to celebrate.
“Sincere thanks to each of you who has been part of this journey in promoting the value of natural resources, enhancing the protection of vital ecosystems, and strengthening the resilience of communities in the Zambezi.
“We look forward to celebrating more Utariri days together, and to continuing the work of protecting both people and the planet in response to climate change.”
Utariri Programme leader, Ms Keitumetsi Ncube, said: “In delivering on the Utariri Programme, we as a team have always been conscious that our job is to enhance ecosystem resilience, to sustain both biodiversity and human livelihoods.
“To be effective, such implementation hinges on collaboration across stakeholders from local communities to policymakers, engaging local populations and integrating traditional ecological knowledge and practices to foster ownership and stewardship of natural resources, all in support of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).”
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