Climate change fight goes a gear up

Willard Duri

Herald Correspondent

Many nations are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and more frequent extreme weather events have begun to take a toll on the country’s agriculture-based economy and biodiversity.

In response to this urgent need, Zimbabwe has adopted a range of mitigation strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, conserving natural resources, and fostering resilience.

This article explores Zimbabwe’s comprehensive approach to climate change mitigation, encompassing policy frameworks, renewable energy adoption, sustainable agriculture, reforestation efforts, and community-led initiatives.

At the heart of Zimbabwe’s climate change mitigation strategies is a robust policy framework aligned with international commitments such as the Paris Agreement. Ratified in 2017, Zimbabwe pledged to reduce GHG emissions by 33 percent per capita by 2030 relative to business-as-usual scenarios.

This commitment is guided by the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline specific measures for transitioning towards a low-carbon economy.

The national climate policy serves as a foundation for integrating climate action into national development plans, emphasising the need for cross-sectoral collaboration.

It outlines measures for both mitigation and adaptation and is complemented by the Climate Change Response Strategy which prioritises renewable energy development, afforestation, and sustainable land management.

Additionally, Government has introduced incentives to attract private sector investment in green technologies.

Zimbabwe’s energy sector, sees transitioning to renewable energy as a cornerstone of its mitigation strategy.

Solar energy has emerged as a key focus area. With many days of sunshine annually, Zimbabwe is harnessing this abundant resource through initiatives like the National Renewable Energy Policy which aims to achieve 1 100 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2025.

Projects such as the 100 MW Gwanda Solar Plant are expected to significantly reduce emissions while addressing chronic energy shortages.

In addition to solar, Zimbabwe is exploring other renewable energy sources, including hydropower and wind.

The Kariba Dam remains a vital hydropower facility, while small-scale hydro projects are being developed to electrify rural areas.

Integrating renewable energy into the national grid not only mitigates emissions but also promotes energy access and economic development.

Agriculture, vital for livelihoods and food security—accounting for nearly 19 percent of GDP and employing over 60 percent of the population—is both a victim and contributor to climate change.

Conventional farming practices exacerbate deforestation, soil degradation, and methane emissions.

To address these challenges, Zimbabwe is adopting climate-smart agriculture (CSA).

Techniques such as conservation tillage popularly known as Pfumvudza/Intwasa, crop rotation and drought-resistant seed varieties enhance soil fertility, reduce water usage, and increase crop yields, improving resilience to climate variability.

The Government-led Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme promotes climate smart agriculture while at the same time provides smallholder farmers with inputs like seeds and fertilisers on the condition they adopt conservation practices. This initiative has shown promise in boosting productivity while mitigating environmental impact.

Deforestation remains a major environmental issue in Zimbabwe, driven by agriculture, firewood collection, and illegal logging.

Loss of forest cover contributes to carbon dioxide emissions and diminishes the country’s capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon.

To counter this, Zimbabwe has implemented reforestation and afforestation programmes.

The Forestry Commission leads efforts to plant millions of trees annually, particularly in degraded areas. The National Tree Planting Day, celebrated on the first Saturday of December, serves as a rallying point for nationwide tree-planting campaigns.

Community participation is central to these efforts. Agroforestry, integrating trees into farming systems, is gaining traction as a sustainable land-use approach.

Partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international donors bolster reforestation initiatives, focusing on protecting indigenous forests and promoting biodiversity.

Although Zimbabwe’s industrial sector is relatively small, it contributes to GHG emissions through energy use and waste management practices. Efforts to reduce industrial emissions centre on energy efficiency and adopting cleaner technologies have seen Government introducing regulations to curb emissions from industries.

 The initiatives promote energy-efficient appliances and machinery. Industries are also encouraged to adopt waste-to-energy technologies, converting organic waste into biogas, reducing landfill emissions while providing an alternative energy source.

Moreover, Zimbabwe is exploring green manufacturing, emphasising sustainable production processes and renewable materials.

These measures align with the broader vision of transitioning to a circular economy, where resources are reused and recycled to minimise waste.

Climate change mitigation in Zimbabwe extends beyond Government policies and corporate actions.

Communities play a vital role in implementing grassroots solutions tailored to local needs.

Many rural communities have embraced renewable energy technologies like solar water pumps and biogas digesters, reducing reliance on firewood and kerosene.

Public awareness campaigns conducted by organisations such as Environment Africa and the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) educate communities about climate change and sustainable practices, empowering citizens to contribute to national mitigation goals.

Despite notable progress, Zimbabwe faces significant challenges in climate change mitigation.  Limited financial resources and technological capacity hinder large-scale project implementation.

The impacts of climate change, such as prolonged droughts, exacerbate existing socio-economic challenges, creating a complex cycle of risk.

To overcome these challenges, Zimbabwe must strengthen partnerships with international organisations, the private sector, and regional bodies.

Enhanced access to climate finance, capacity-building initiatives, and technology transfer will be essential. Additionally, integrating climate change into broader development goals, such as poverty reduction and gender equality, can create synergies that amplify the impact of mitigation strategies.

Zimbabwe’s approach to climate change mitigation demonstrates a commitment to balancing economic development with environmental stewardship.

Through policies, renewable energy projects, sustainable agriculture, reforestation, and community-driven initiatives, the country is laying the groundwork for a greener, more resilient future.

However, sustained effort and global cooperation are crucial to ensuring these strategies translate into significant emissions reductions and long-term climate stability.

As Zimbabwe navigates this complex challenge, its experiences offer valuable lessons for other developing nations striving to address the twin crises of climate change and socio-economic development.