The Zimbabwean delegation has returned to the UN Climate Change Conference. The 2022 COP27 held in Sharp El Sheikh Egypt, shows the nation’s concerted efforts to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change.
The outcome of the COP26-the Glasgow Climate Pact- can be summarized under the following headings; the eminent emergency, the acceleration action, the moving away from fossil fuels, delivering on climate finance, stepping up support for adoption, and focusing on loss and damage.
Of major relevance to Zimbabwe is the agreement to halt and reverse deforestation. An agreement with US$19.2 billion of funds for conservation efforts.
Coal, the leaders agreed to accelerate the end of coal(Global Coal to Clean Power Transaction Statement). The curbing of coal is a critical step to achieve the goal stated of keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius this century which is seen as important to avoid catastrophic impacts of climate change.
Given that agriculture is the backbone of the Zimbabwean economy and overall livelihood, it stands that the management of global warming should be a government priority. Especially given that Zimbabwe remains highly rainfall-dependent. Zimbabwean farmers are mostly rural folk engaged in small-scale operations. They, therefore, tend not to have the capacity to invest in technology that will allow them to be less susceptible to weather conditions.
Climate change by definition results in long-term increases in global temperatures caused by the release of greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. In Zimbabwe, climate change is expected to cause average temperatures to rise by about 3 degrees Celsius before the end of the century.
The overview result is an increase in droughts, floods, and storms. Annual rainfall could decline by between 5% and 18% This will affect the country’s food security, health, energy supply, and the economy more broadly.
Despite the imminent dangers of climate change, most developing countries have refused to accept the agreements set at the Climate Change Conferences. Wary of the threat, developing countries have argued that they can not afford the investment costs associated with the transition towards cleaner economic activities(such as alternative energy generation). After COP26, President Mnangagwa said that developing countries would only stop using coal once they received funds from rich countries.
The strategic importance of Zimbabwe’s attendance at the COP27 is limited to the networking aspect. Following Zimbabwe’s crippling sanctions, it is a useful step to show a willingness to engage with the global community. With over 139 world leaders in attendance, Zimbabwe may engage in meaningful negotiations that are expected to lead to stronger and more sustainable inter-global relations.
