By Tendai Guvamombe
The Government through the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry recently signed a partnership agreement with seven state universities namely: University of Zimbabwe, National University for Science and Technology (NUST), Chinhoyi University of Science and Technology, Midlands State University, Great Zimbabwe University, Bindura University of Science and Technology and Lupane State University on Climate Change Mainstreaming research Programme. The signing ceremony was held during the period of 19-30 March 2021 at the Universities’ offices
“The Partnership Agreement between the Ministry and the seven state Universities that the Ministry is partnering with to conduct a climate change mainstreaming research programme will target members of all Provincial Development Committees (PDCs)”. Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Honourable Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu explained in a speech during the joint Agreements signing and youth engagement programmes held in Bulawayo on the 19th of March 2021.
The quest to mainstream climate change in areas of training, research and development planning is one of the components of the National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process which seeks to reduce vulnerability presented by climate change in communities and lay a solid foundation for climate change adaptation in Zimbabwe. The adaptation process in Zimbabwe is envisaged to be participatory and multi-disciplinary.
The Partnership Agreement signals a landmark achievement as the Government has strengthened its efforts to mainstream climate change in the training, research and academia fraternity towards taking a collective approach to building resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Permanent Secretary in the Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Mr Munesushe Munodawafa said the development was inspired by the need to address existing capacity gaps that may hinder the climate change mainstreaming agenda.
“The position to collaborate with Universities was informed by the need to enhance the research and academia sector contribution to the climate change planning and development processes in the country and beyond. The signing of the Agreement by the seven participating universities entails the kick-start of the programme implementation phase”.
The National Adaptation Planning process being implemented is part of Government efforts to build resilience and is being supported by the biggest international climate finance facility of our time – the Green Climate Fund and is instrumental in mainstreaming climate change into development frameworks and as a tool to mobilize resources towards meeting the country’s adaptation goals.
Enhanced climate action is currently identified as one of the sector outcomes of the National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025) which calls for a collective effort towards strengthening the enabling environment for climate change programming.
