Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife, together with the Thematic Committee on Climate Change, has begun nationwide public hearings on the Climate Change Management Bill.
The Bill was recently gazetted following Cabinet’s approval of its principles in May.
According to a public notice, “The Joint Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife and Thematic Committee on Climate Change will hold public hearings on the Climate Change Management Bill (H.B.5, 2025) from the 20th to the 27th of October 2025.”
On Wednesday, the committees are expected to hold hearings in Matobo at Silozwe High School and White Waters Primary School. The following day, the hearings will move to Tsholotsho at BSPZ Hall and Cross Mabale. On Friday, sessions will be conducted at Neechilibi High School and Victoria Falls’ Mosi-Oa-Tunya Primary School among other centres.
The Climate Change Management Bill seeks to provide a comprehensive legal framework for addressing climate change in Zimbabwe. Among other measures, it provides for the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, including data collection and measurement in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
It also proposes the establishment of a National Climate Fund to finance climate change projects and related activities.
Under the proposed law, both public and private institutions will be required to integrate climate change measures into their systems and plans.
Ministries, government departments and agencies will be mandated to appoint dedicated staff and focal officers responsible for mainstreaming climate change activities.
The Bill also seeks to facilitate the implementation of Zimbabwe’s international obligations related to climate change and ozone layer protection.
It emphasizes the country’s fair contribution to global efforts to limit temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
A key provision of the Bill is the creation of a carbon trading framework and a Zimbabwe Carbon Credit Registry.
A new body, the Zimbabwe Carbon Markets Authority, will be established within the Climate Change Management Department to register and monitor carbon trading projects.
In addition, the Minister responsible for Climate Change, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, will be empowered to provide incentives to individuals and entities advancing climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives.
Another major provision of the Bill is its strong emphasis on community engagement and stakeholder consultation.
It requires all project applicants to develop detailed consultation plans outlining how they will engage communities, including those indirectly affected.
The Bill also promotes inclusivity by mandating the participation of women and vulnerable groups in climate-related decision-making processes a move aimed at enhancing equity and transparency.
Furthermore, it introduces a formal grievance and redress mechanism, offering citizens a structured avenue to seek recourse for climate-related grievances.
