Paris Agreement Gives Hope To Malawi In The Fight Of Climate Change

Msaka

Malawi Government consider Paris Agreement as a milestone in terms of solving climate crisis both in the country and globally.

The country is experiencing adverse effects of climate change which have recently affected most of its key economic sectors like agriculture and the latest being this year’s devastating floods followed by drought.

Malawi participated at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that was held in Paris, France from 30th November to 11th December 2015.

Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Bright Msaka who led delegation to Paris told Journalists in Lilongwe on Thursday that Paris Agreement will have a transformative effect and will accelerate significant normative and policy progress domestically. 

“The agreement will change the way Governments, civil society and the private sector view the links between climate responsibility, economic growth and social inclusion. It will enhance climate actions by all stakeholders.” Said Msaka while calling private sector, CSOs and faith institutions to work with Government in endeavors of combating climate change 

Msaka mentioned that Malawi is committed to contribute to global efforts in mitigating climate change and reducing carbon emissions through implementation of number of initiatives. 

"Malawi like all other countries has committed to ensuring that the global climate is not so adversely affected to a point where human life is impossible. So we Malawians have agreed to reduce emissions over a period of time to make sure that we employ more efficient and less polluting methods of developing ourselves. 

We have therefore agreed to plant more trees so that we create a carbon sink so that the green house emissions that are going to be created from both in Malawi and elsewhere have somewhere where they can sink and therefore we and the world are able to preserve environment and able to sustain the human life.” Explained Msaka

He assured that Government will intensify adaptation actions through formulation and implementation of national adaptation plans that includes construction of dams and water harvesting technologies, crop diversification and breeding of drought resistant livestock among others.

Msaka further said Government will continue to work with research institutions to undertake research and technology development of critical adaptation interventions such as drought resistant and fast maturing seed varieties to cope with the short duration of the rainfall season as a result of the changing climate.

Like other least developed countries, Malawi will also through assistance going to undertake mechanisms to address losses and damages that occur as a result of disasters arising from the impact of climate change.

On this, the Natural Resources Minister said the main focus will be on early warning systems, emergency preparedness and resilience of communities, livelihoods and ecosystems among others.

According to Msaka, this year’s floods were more eloquent enough than anyone else would explain about climate change therefore “this nation will never stop at anything to ensure that it protects its citizens from the impact of climate change."

It is estimated that Malawi total emissions contributes 0.06% to the total global warming.