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Chakwera commits to green economy

President Lazarus Chakwera has committed to ensuring Malawi becomes a green economy in line with global United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by financing and implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.

The President was speaking yesterday in Lilongwe at the National Green Climate Conference and the launch of the Women Network in Climate Change.

Chakwera said it is right to call the current climate situation, a crisis, not only to the world in general, but to Malawi in particular, as it presents the single biggest threat to the nation’s sustainable development.

Chakwera: There are intiatives in place

He said: “We have over 225 organisations across our country implementing climate change-related initiatives and interventions.”

To achieve the green economy ambition, Chakwera called on Malawians and partners to do five things, including increasing the adaptive capacity and resilience of the Malawian people; and supporting climate friendly economic and social activities such as Clean Up Days.

UN resident coordinator Maria Jose Torres said climate change hazards in Malawi have increased in frequency, intensity, and magnitude over the past 20 years, with dire consequences on food and water security, water quality, energy resources, and sustainable livelihoods of the most rural communities.

She expressed concern that from 1979 to 2019, 2 656 Malawians perished due to natural disasters, and nearly another 21.7 million people were adversely affected.

National Planning Commission director general Thomas Chataghalala Munthali said in the Malawi 2063, environmental sustainability is one of the key enablers.

Minister of Forestry and Natural Resources Nancy Tembo said the creation of the network is part of ensuring inclusiveness.

Between 2015 and 2016, nearly half the country’s population required humanitarian assistance due to floods and droughts at $994 million (about K805 billion), an equivalent of 14 percent of the gross domestic product which government fears is likely to continue.

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