Staff Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pronounced that the Zimbabwe Government was implementing various programmes to mitigate effects of climate change.
President Mnangagwa has said this today at the United Nations (UN) climate change Conference of the Parties (COP) 27 in Egypt.
“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,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa stated that Zimbabwe would see greenhouse gas emissions curbed to 44.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030 and that Zimbabwe has also integrated gender issues in the Revised Nationally Determined Contributions.
He reiterated that the illegal sanctions had become an impediment in the major progress of the fight against climate change.
“Greater progress would be made on our climate goals were it not for the albatross of illegal economic sanctions imposed on our country. We demand the immediate lifting of these unwarranted and punitive sanctions,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa further reiterated that, Zimbabwe was committed “to be a friend to all and an enemy to none” and that it was ready to play its part in addressing climate change and other challenges that face the world.
The two-day COP 27 summit is being held under the theme: “Empowering a Climate Resilient Africa for the 21st Century: Articulating vision and opportunity.”