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Precious Manomano and Trust Freddy
Youths and women are critical in tackling climate and waste problems in the community, and Government is keen to work with them to fight these twin challenges, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Barbara Rwodzi said yesterday.
Speaking at the close of the 11th African green waste and energy expo and conference in Harare, she urged youths “to claim their space” in addressing climate change.
The expo and conference, was held under the theme: “Accelerating locally-led interventions for low carbon and climate resilient societies”.
It ran from Wednesday to yesterday with the aim of scaling up and accelerating action on sustainable environmental management, including action on climate change.
“The green expo and conference, therefore, provided an opportunity to discuss and share best practices on waste management and the response to climate change which I have no doubt will propel a whole of Government and a whole of society approach, which also draws from the south-south exchanges with our regional counterparts,” said Deputy Minister Rwodzi.
“As we strive to move towards wide scale implementation of actions, I would like to emphasise the participation of the youths, women, and children. In fact, I am challenging the youths to claim your space in addressing climate change and the waste problem.”
Government also recognised the importance of education, awareness, and training towards enhanced environmental stewardship.
So the national climate change learning strategy had been adopted and its roll out is underway to ensure all stakeholders are reached through formal and informal learning platforms dealing with climate change.
The programme’s specialist on climate change for the United Nations Development Programme, Mr Jeremiah Mushosho, said Zimbabwe was among the countries with the best environmental policies.
All that was required was to implement these policies, while budgeting should also be considered.
“Environmental agendas must be set at the top of national agendas, be it budgeting, or resourcing our agencies,” said Mr Mushosho. “We have seen most things triggered by the environment so we need to make sure that they are clearly articulated and monitored.”
It was critical to push the world into honouring the commitments made by developed countries during the COP26 held in Scotland last year to disburse US$100 billion a year until 2030 for developing countries to tackle the impact of climate change.
The green expo is an annual conference hosted by the Zimbabwe Sunshine Group since 2008.
This year it attracted participants from 12 African countries, and key figures from across the UN, AU, governments, private sector and global representatives who support meaningful contributions towards climate action.
Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025) sets a thematic area on environmental protection, climate resilience and natural resources management.
Online Reporter