PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday appealed to rich nations to capacitate poor countries for them to be able to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to climate change.
In his speech to the Climate Change (COP27) Implementation Summit being held in Egypt, Mnangagwa said: “It is most unfortunate that the impact of climate change is disproportionately borne by vulnerable communities that have contributed the least to the current stock of atmospheric carbon. Vulnerable countries must, therefore, be capacitated to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to climate change. The expectation is that the major emitters will scale up mitigation action and show greater interest in adaptation. Decisions at this COP27 should strengthen the implementation of current nationally-determined contributions.”
He said despite the challenges Zimbabwe was, however, doing its best to play its part in mitigating climate change effects.
“Mr President, the agriculture sector which is key to Zimbabwe’s economy is facing a serious threat from climate change. My government is implementing various programmes, including extensive dam construction projects towards climate change adaptation and mitigation for sustainable food and nutrition security. Further, Zimbabwe is expanding the production and use of renewable energy,” Mnangagwa said.
“Zimbabwe will see greenhouse gas emissions curbed to 44,7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030. My country has also integrated gender issues in the revised nationally determined contributions.”
