SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt – THERE was a robust exchange of views yesterday mainly on smart agriculture and climate financing, between Zimbabwean legislators and their counterparts from the European Union (EU).
The engagement took place at the EU Pavillion at the ongoing COP27 in Egypt, at the request of EU Parliamentarians.
Chirumanzu legislator, Cde Barbara Rwodzi, led Zimbabwe’s delegation drawn from the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Tourism, while Mr Bas Eickhout, a Dutch legislator, led the EU team.
In her opening remarks, Cde Rwodzi said Zimbabwe required global support on the adaptation side, to scale up climate smart agriculture interventions since Zimbabwe is largely an agro-based nation.
“We need to enhance our early warning systems to better support our preparedness given our vulnerability and frequency of occurrence of extreme weather events,” said Cde Rwodzi.
“On the mitigation side, we need to expand our energy share from solar in the transition to clean energy sources.
“The country embraces low emissions development in the transport sector, an electric mobility framework and roadmap is now in place, we need support in that aspect.”
The Paris Agreement of 2015 calls upon countries to craft long-term greenhouse gas emissions development strategies, taking into account their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in light of different national circumstances.
In this regard, Zimbabwe has developed an economy-wide and long-term low greenhouse gas Emission Development Strategy (LEDS).
The strategy sets the course for reducing emissions, while at the same time ensuring sustainable economic development for the country.
Cde Rwodzi said implementation of the LEDS requires substantial support from Government, development partners, and the private sector, among others.
With resources from the Green Climate Fund, Zimbabwe is ramping up national adaptation planning.
Cde Rwodzi also said Zimbabwe strongly supports the call for developed countries to establish a special Loss and Damage Fund, which would be used by developing countries to repair damages, for instance on infrastructure, caused by climate change.
Cyclones, which are increasing in frequency in the last few years due to climate change, have damaged infrastructure such as roads, houses, fields with thriving crops, clinics and schools, among others.
Presently, Zimbabwe is still rebuilding infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Idai in March 2019, hence the need for developed countries, which have been held responsible for the bulk of emissions, to contribute funds for such repairs.
Mr Eickhout said he agreed with developing countries, and Cde Rwodzi’s presentation, that there should be a Loss and Damage Fund to help developing countries to repair damages caused by climate change.
He added that as representatives of the EU Parliament, they would explore ways of assisting Zimbabwe.
Further, Mr Eickhout said he wishes to hold more engagements with their Zimbabwe counterparts on climate and other issues.
A legislator from the Czech Republic asked if Zimbabwe would be accountable if it received funds, and if Harare respects human rights.
Cde Rwodzi said accountability was the hallmark of the Second Republic, adding that human rights were also well respected.
Other legislators that took part in the engagement were Honourables Josephine Shava, Moreblessing Tembo, Tafanana Zhou, Cecil Kashiri and Stephen Ngwenya. – The Herald
