Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
THERE is urgent need to integrate climate action into Zimbabwe’s national development agenda, Vice President Kembo Mohadi has said.
Sustainable growth, he warned, is impossible without environmental stewardship. In a speech delivered by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri on behalf of VP Mohadi at the official launch of the inaugural Environment and Climate Change Dialogue in Harare yesterday, he said Zimbabwe was at a critical juncture where climate resilience must be embedded at the core of policy, planning and investment strategies.
The two-day event was running under the theme “Accelerating Environmental Stewardship for a Climate-Smart Zimbabwe by 2030”.
“This premier gathering is taking place at a time when Zimbabwe, like the rest of the world, is confronted with profound environmental challenges ranging from recurring droughts to biodiversity loss and the increasing threat of extreme weather events. These challenges necessitate not only national solutions but also regional and international cooperation,” he said.
The dialogue comes as the country transitions from National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which the Vice President said must build upon climate resilience achievements in agriculture, energy and infrastructure. He highlighted that both strategies underpin President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which seeks a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income economy grounded in inclusive and sustainable growth.
“Our theme, ‘Accelerating Environmental Stewardship for a Climate-Smart Zimbabwe by 2030’, aptly captures the essence of our national aspirations.
“It reflects the urgency of embedding climate action at the core of development and acknowledges that sustainable progress will be unattainable unless our policies, investments, and behaviours converge to safeguard the natural environment upon which our economy and livelihoods depend,” he said.
Vice President Mohadi commended the National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF), the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for their collaborative efforts in organising the Dialogue, which is expected to become an annual event.
He said Zimbabwe’s legal and policy frameworks, including the Environmental Management Act, the National Climate Policy, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the Low Emissions Development Strategy, already reflect the nation’s commitment to a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The Vice President emphasised the need for community-driven adaptation strategies, particularly in the wake of the devastating 2024 El Niño-induced drought, which left over 7 million Zimbabweans food insecure.
“The effects of climate change are not abstract.
“They manifest in the daily struggles of our farmers, the shrinkages of our water bodies, the erosion of our soils, and the vulnerability of our rural and urban communities. The El Niño-induced drought of 2024, which left over 7 million Zimbabweans food insecure, is a stark reminder of the urgency of community-driven adaptation.
“Building resilience must therefore be centred on empowering our communities through climate-smart agriculture, water harvesting, afforestation, and climate-proofed infrastructure,” he said.
Turning to financing, Vice President Mohadi said Zimbabwe is actively pursuing innovative mechanisms to bridge the climate funding gap.
These include green bonds, carbon markets, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)-aligned investments.
He called on private sector players to complement Government efforts through public-private partnerships and green innovation, saying NDS2 will integrate various funding models to ensure scalability and sustainability of climate-related investments.
“A climate-smart Zimbabwe cannot be accomplished solely by government-led actions, and it is in this regard that the Second Republic remains committed to providing a supportive policy environment which allows the private sector to thrive in building a climate-smart economy,” he said.
The Vice President said there is need to strengthen public-private partnerships (PPPs) and encourage private sector leadership in green innovations.
“Bankers, insurers, energy companies, and agribusiness all play an important role in funding and implementing climate projects.
“NDS2 will integrate the various funding models to ensure that climate-related investments are sustainable, scalable, and accountable,” he said.
Similarly, he said, academic and research institutions must provide cutting-edge knowledge, while civil society organisations mobilise communities and raise awareness.
“In keeping with Vision 2030, innovation will power Zimbabwe’s transition into a resilient and competitive economy. We must incentivise entrepreneurs and innovators to develop home-grown solutions that reduce emissions, enhance efficiency, and create green jobs,” he said.
He reminded that environmental stewardship is not a choice but an obligation owed to future generations.
Vice President Mohadi issued a rallying call for unity and action across sectors, urging stakeholders to move beyond words and deliver tangible results that advance the country’s climate and development objectives.
“Environmental stewardship is not a choice but an obligation we owe to future generations.
“The success of this dialogue will not be measured by eloquent speeches but by actionable strategies, investments, and partnerships.
“Together, under the guidance of NDS2 and in pursuit of Vision 2030, we must accelerate the transition to a climate-smart Zimbabwe.”
Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Water, Climate and Rural Development, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, NECF National co-chairperson Mr Kumbirayi Katsande, NECF Steering Committee co-chairperson, Dr Martin Bimha and other Government officials attended the launch.
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