Cabinet acknowledges Gains from COP28 

Cabinet acknowledges Gains from COP28

Mako Jerera

Cabinet on Tuesday acknowledged that multiple engagements made by the nation, lead by President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 30th November to 12 December 2023, allowed the country to showcase climate adaptation initiatives by the Second Republic, especially through climate-proofed agriculture.

 

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said this while speaking today during Cabinet meeting.

 

Dr Muswere said key issues discussed at COP28 included the Loss and Damage Fund, which generated initial pledges of US$549 million, surpassing the targeted US$400 million, which is aimed at helping vulnerable countries cope with the impact of climate change.

“The COP28 agenda was shaped by the following matters for consideration: mitigation; adaptation; climate finance; means of implementation; response measure; adoption of the Global Stocktake report; transparency; and importantly; the governance of the protocols and their decision-making approaches and tools.

“The nation is informed that the decision to establish a Loss and Damage Fund which had been adopted at COP27 was capitalized at COP28, with a fund which exceeded US$792 million. It is highlighted that Zimbabwe is in the process of coming up with a Loss and Damage Framework to prepare the country for accessing the Global Fund. Resources from carbon trading can initially resource this framework.”said Dr Muswere.

 

Doctor Muswere said that a call was made by developing countries for developed countries to double adaptation finance as the 28th Conference of Parties has become a vital global gathering annually to discuss, negotiate, take stock, and agree on actions towards addressing climate change.

 

The COP28 developed a framework on the Global Goal on Adaptation which also outlines targets for 2030 to address water security, climate-resilient food production, and enhancing health and infrastructure resilience.

The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife has developed a National Adaptation Plan meant to guide the mainstreaming of climate change in development planning in order to build and ensure that the country’s resilience.

 

“Cabinet would also like to report that a call was made also by parties and participants to come up with sustainable, just, resilient and naturepositive food systems that seek to keep the temperature rise to within the 1.5 degrees target, recognizing that one third of greenhouse gas emissions stem from food systems. It was also reported that Zimbabwe is already promoting food security and nutrition by increasing efforts to support vulnerable farmers.

 

“Cabinet would also like to underline the importance of the consensus that was reached at the COP28 for the world to “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero emissions by 2050,” said Dr Muswere.

 

Zimbabwe emphasized that such transition should be just, and also recognise the principle of common but differentiated circumstances, with the developed countries taking the lead in transitioning, whilst allowing Africa to reach her development peak before being pressured to transition. The outcome also included an agreement to triple the world’s renewable energy capacity and to double its energy efficiency by 2030.

 

In addition, the COP28 decision called on countries to accelerate emissions-reduction from road transport through a variety of pathways, not only zero-emission vehicles, but also a model shift to public transport and safe cycling infrastructure programmes.

 

The nation is informed that the COP28 is a milestone for Zimbabwe in setting the tone for food security, agriculture and climate action. The effort should be sustained through ensuring that decisions that are made in future COPs would align with further investments in science, technology, and capacity building.

 

“It is highlighted that this approach will increase the adaptive capacity of local people who are affected by climate change.”highlighted Dr Muswere.

 

Furthermore, the COP28 is particularly momentous as it marked the conclusion of the first “Global Stocktake” of the world efforts to address climate change under the Paris Agreement.

 

Doctor Muswere further advised that the Government secured a Pavilion space at COP28 code named “The Zimbabwe Climate Action Hub”.

 

The main objective of having the Pavilion was to provide a platform for Zimbabwe to showcase and raise awareness on the country’s climate action initiatives, to foster collaboration with international partners, to mobilize financial and technical resources for climate action, and to drive collective action towards addressing the global climate crisis.