‘Zim needs climate change adaptation policies’

A ZANU PF Senator has urged Parliament to enact laws that support existing policies to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Beitbridge Senator Tambudzani Mohadi said this while raising a motion on climate smart agriculture.

She said climate change was a global concern with detrimental effects on human, health, food and environmental security as well as economic development.

Mohadi said there are poor social protection measures for victims of climate disasters such as drought, cyclones, floods and global warming.

She expressed concern over the country’s lack of effective climate change adaptation strategies and urged Parliament to enact laws to deal with climate change.

“Parliament expeditiously enacts legislation to augment existing policies to combat the impact of climate change,” Mohadi said.

“Adequate resources must be allocated towards supporting climate mitigation efforts such as research, development of technology, investment into infrastructure and capacity building of communities on climate change adaptation strategies.

“The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife should access international climate financing such as the Green Climate Fund and secure private sector investment for climate friendly large-scale projects.”

Mohadi urged the ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife to invest in early warning systems to ensure timely preparations during natural disasters.

“The ministry should rollout a programme on climate smart agriculture to provide technical support to farmers to comprehensively assist them to transition to drought resistant crops, water efficient irrigation schemes and improved soil management techniques,” she said.

Zimbabwe has not been spared from the effects of climate change as seen in recurring droughts and natural disasters which left a trail of destruction and claimed lives.