Zimbabwe is taking a proactive stance against climate change with the introduction of a new law, as the country grapples with the effects of El Niño. Consultations for Zimbabwe's climate change draft bill are currently underway, with the aim of mitigating the impact of climate change on the country's agriculture and meeting international obligations.
Moses Kumbweya, a small-scale farmer in the peri-urban community of Ntabazinduna, has experienced firsthand the devastating effects of climate change on his lettuce crops. Disrupted rainfall patterns caused by El Niño have turned his once lush green lettuce into dried brown leaves. This year, the effects of climate change have been even worse than the previous El Niño event in 2012, hitting closer to home for Kumbweya.
The consequences of climate change have resulted in significant economic losses for farmers like Kumbweya. He estimates that he has lost around $8,000 due to crop failures, including losses in lettuce and maize crops. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that rainfall shortages, linked to stronger El Niño effects, have shortened and reduced the productivity of the main cropping season in Zimbabwe.
In response to the widespread impact of climate change on farmers across the country, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a national disaster. The Zimbabwean government is also working on a climate change law, known as the Climate Change Act, to address the challenges of climate change and fulfill the country's commitments under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Climate Change Act aims to enhance climate resilience, reduce the impacts of climate change, and meet emission reduction targets. Washington Zhakata, the director of the Climate Change Management Department in Zimbabwe's Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, confirms that the development of the bill is currently underway. The draft bill is undergoing consultations, and recommendations from these consultations will be considered by Parliament.
Civil society organizations, such as the Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights, support the establishment of a Climate Change Act. They emphasize the importance of well-crafted laws and policies to mitigate climate change-related risks and build resilience to its adverse impacts. The legislation will provide an enabling framework for climate change innovation, adaptation, and mitigation strategies in the country.
The Climate Change Act will also ensure that climate change considerations are integrated into the planning and budgets of all government ministries, departments, and agencies. This will help inform policy and planning decisions based on research on the impacts of climate change on local communities. The availability of such data is crucial for accessing funds for loss and damage caused by climate change, including the loss and damage fund that was operationalized at the 2023 U.N. Climate Change Conference.
Through the Climate Change Act and proactive measures, Zimbabwe aims to confront the challenges posed by climate change and ensure the resilience of its agricultural sector. By prioritizing climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, the country can protect its economy and the well-being of its citizens in the face of a changing climate.
