Zimbabwe is well within the recommended reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the middle of this century.
An authoritative new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change set the world a clear target that countries must reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to net zero by the middle of this century to have a reasonable chance of limiting global warming to 1.5C.
Addressing a post cabinet media briefing, Information Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa noted that Zimbabwe a signatory of he Paris Agreement on Climate Change is commit to tackle climate change.
“Zimbabwe is currently emitting 0,05% of all green house emissions which is lower than what the country is capturing,” she said. ”
The draft LEDS has identified 38 mitigation actions across the four Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) recognised sectors, and implementation of the mitigation actions will result in 40% reduction in emissions.”
She also said Zimbabwe has several activities akin to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
“It should be pointed out that the country has done a lot more in terms of carbon sinking through the various afforestation and reforestation programmes, conservation agriculture (Pfumvudza/Intwasa) and emitting less on its growth trajectory towards Vision 2030. The implementation of renewable energy projects in the country and use of more efficient low emission technologies in thermal power plants reflects Governments commitment towards reduction in emissions,” said the Information Minister.
Zimbabwe in 2019 launched the Draft Low Emission Development Strategy to guide the nation’s efforts in combating climate change.
” Zimbabwe has developed proposals on costed economy-wide Low Emission Development Strategy as a response to the provisions of the Paris Agreement. The Strategy is Vision 2030 compliant, and contains implementable sustainable climate change mitigation actions, covering four (4) sectors of the economy, namely:
Energy;
Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Uses (AFOLU);
Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU); and
Waste Management.,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She added, “The major thrust of developing Low Emission Development Strategies by UNFCCC member countries is to shift from the traditional fossil fuel-based development to greener and sustainable pathways, including enhanced use of renewable energy, and the adoption of green industries and climate smart agriculture.”
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa is said to attend the COP26 meeting this year.
“His Excellency the President is expected to attend the Conference of Parties (COP 26) meeting in the United Kingdom where he will lead a Zimbabwean delegation and present the countrys mitigation measures and adaptation actions,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
