DEVELOPING countries should come up with a comprehensive and integrated approach to addressing the adverse impacts of climate change and ensuring that the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future is fair, inclusive, and beneficial for all.
Developing economies such as Zimbabwe face a disproportionate burden of environmental effects despite contributing less than five percent of global warming.
Faced with the ever-rising temperatures and adverse effects of climate change, the world is targeting reducing fossil emissions to 1,5 percent and this should happen through the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.
Just transition is one of the key focus areas at the ongoing 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) at the Dubai Expo City in the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking at the first annual high-level ministerial round table on just transition here, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu said Zimbabwe is committed to pursuing equitable and just transition pathways as part of its vision for progress.
“Just transition is crucial and urgent in the pursuit of sustainable development and achieving the global climate goals. Developing countries require a comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses the interlinked challenges of climate change, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development, ensuring that the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future is fair, inclusive and beneficial for all,” he said.
“In this regard, the country acknowledges the crucial need to transition towards cleaner energy sources through undertaking concrete actions by implementing projects related to solar farms and hydro energy.”
Minister Ndlovu referred the Batoka and Devil’s Gorges, with an estimated 8,1 MtCO2e (Megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent) of the total 10,8 MtCO2e (75 percent) potential estimated in 2030 for Zimbabwe, as the largest mitigation project that requires global support.
He said Zimbabwe has supported millions of households and families through the climate-smart agriculture Pfumvudza/Intwasa model, which has reduced agriculture emissions by over 36 percent.
Zimbabwe is actively engaged in fostering advancements in lithium mining, aligning with the rising demand for this essential component in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
“This demonstrates Zimbabwe’s dedication to embracing sustainable practices and reducing its environmental impact. The Government recognises the global shift towards cleaner energy not only as a necessity but also as a valuable opportunity for growth and development,” said Minister Ndlovu.
“There is a need for just transition support that considers the measures to minimise the negative impacts of stranded assets and the diverse transition pathways should support sustainable development and should not exacerbate inequalities but rather provide for sustained equitable economic growth and social development,” he added.
Minister Ndlovu said the process of decarbonising sectors by phasing out coal and transitioning to renewable energy is anticipated to result in economic losses and in turn have repercussions on the workforce, jobs redundancies, as well as potential disruptions in the associated value chains.
In light of this, said Minister Ndlovu, workforce transition will require a comprehensive approach that addresses education, skills development, economic diversification, urbanisation, technology adoption, social safety nets, gender equality and international cooperation.
“Zimbabwe views that this work on just transition will establish a just and transparent framework that makes finance, technology and capacity building available to developing nations to support their transition efforts,” he said.
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