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Zimbabwe Climate Policy

Country/Territory
Zimbabwe
Document type
Date
2016
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Agricultural & rural development, Environment gen., Water
Keyword
Agricultural development Capacity building Climate change Gender Environmental planning Farming Policy/planning Disasters Water shortage/drought Flood
Geographical area
Africa, AFRICA FAO, Eastern Africa, Landlocked Developing Countries
Abstract

The Policy acknowledges that climate change is a serious global challenge and that the impacts are felt throughout all socio-economic sectors. Zimbabwe is heavily dependent on rainfed agriculture and climate sensitive resources. The increasing frequency and severity of droughts and floods, the shift in onset and cessation of the rainfall and increasing intensity of mid-season dry spells in the last 50 years have been identified in the Zimbabwe Initial National Communications (1996) as a major consequence of climate change. The Policy essentially acknowledges that the livelihoods of vulnerable people who are highly dependent on climate sensitive sectors like agriculture, are likely to be impacted by climate change in various ways. The principles underpinning the Policy include; 1. Base Climate related decisions or actions on sound data based, modelling, robust scientific findings including Indigenous Knowledge System and rigorous analysis but also on integrated, participatory approach; 2. Ensure Zimbabwe’s resilience to climate related challenges by cross-sectional engagement inclusive of public-private sector involvement in the implementation; 3. Adopt of low carbon development pathway that incorporate national developmental aspirations, vision and national programmes; 4. Build resilience to climate challenges through adaptation programmes shall is pursued concurrently with climate change mitigation programmes 5. Ensure that the climate policy be wholly owned by all Zimbabweans and be gender sensitive 6. Address implications of the past, current and future climate. 7. Guide climate adaptation and climate change mitigation investment programmes in Zimbabwe’s priority areas. 8. Inform the National Climate Change Response Strategies and Action Plans. The vision of the Policy is a climate resilient and low carbon country by climate-proofing all the socio-economic development sectors of Zimbabwe to address the national challenge of reducing Zimbabwe’s vulnerability to climate and climate related disasters, while developing in a low carbon pathway. On the other hand, the purpose of the Policy is to guide climate change management in the country, enhance the national adaptive captive, scale up mitigation actions, facilitate domestication of global policies and ensure compliance to the global mechanisms. The specific goals of the Policy include; 1. Develop and strengthen capacity in Weather, Climate Research and Modelling. 2. Promote technology transfer, capacity building and information sharing. 3. Reduce vulnerability to climate variability and climate related disasters by strengthening adaptive capacity. 4. Accelerating mitigation measures by adopting and developing low carbon development pathways. 5. Strengthen education and awareness to climate variability and change. 6. Search for solutions to financial resource allocation, mobilisation and management. 7. Foster collaboration among national and international institutions in climate related issues. 8. Strengthen governance structures for the climate policy to increase Zimbabwe’s resilience to climate change and climate variability. The Policy provides that implementation shall be provided n the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) document, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Meteorological Services Act and any other climate related documents.

Full text
English
Website
www.swm-programme.info