Private sector key in climate change—UN
United Nations (UN) has urged Malawi to engage the private sector when coming up with interventions to deal with climate change effects to have a multi-faceted approach that can have a lasting impact.
Speaking during World Environment Day commemoration yesterday in Lilongwe where President Peter Mutharika was the guest of honour, UN resident coordinator Mia Seppo said the private sector is key to fighting climate change as it would invest in disaster risk management, natural resources management to minimise relief and humanitarian needs.
techniques to the President
She said: “The private sector in Malawi has been affected by climate change as well. We would like to urge government to engage the private sector in key planning processes so they can contribute to the implementation of the climate change investment plan.”
During the event, the Ecosystem Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly (Ebafosa) was launched.
In his remarks, Mutharika said through Ebafosa, government intends to collectively combat food insecurity, climate change, ecosystems degradation and poverty.
He said: “We are a national branch of this African movement and it is chaired by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining. Its secretariat is the University of Malawi.”
The event started with Mutharika inspecting pavilions of different types of stakeholders in climate change issues, including small-scale farmers who are the most affected by effects of climate change.
Evelyn Njolomole, a farmer from Dedza District, explained to Mutharika how she grows less rain demanding, highly nutritious food crops to ensure she has food in the face of climate change. n
