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Innocent Ruwende in Bulawayo
Government has hailed Russia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for providing the country with funding to help implement its Low Emission Development Strategy in line with its obligations under the Paris Agreement.

Under the Paris Agreement, Zimbabwe pledged to reduce greenhouse gases emissions by 33 percent per capita below the Business as Usual projected scenario by 2030.

Russia has availed $1 million to Zimbabwe to assist the country implement its Low Emission Development Strategy in line with international gas emission standards.

In a speech read on her behalf by Climate Change Management Department director Mr Washington Zhakata at the inception workshop of Support Towards Implementation of Zimbabwe’s nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change Project, Environment, Water and Climate Permanent secretary Ambassador Grace Mutandirwo said the project will open opportunities for Zimbabwe-Russia collaboration.

“The Government of Zimbabwe expects that this project will open opportunities for Zimbabwe-Russia collaboration in specific sectors of industry and academic institutions through knowledge and technology transfer,” she said.

“To meet this emission reduction target, the project seeks to address the current gap in Zimbabwe’s mitigation agenda, whose success relies heavily on effective engagement of industry across all sectors and on a functional monitoring reporting and verification mechanism in cognisant of the adaptation agenda.”

She said it was expected that by the end of the project, drawing from the Russian Federation experience, an industry-driven emissions reduction agenda supported by a comprehensive monitoring reporting and verification mechanism will be put in place.

Ambassador Mutandirwo emphasised the engagement of industry across all sectors, saying there was need for a paradigm shift so that all stakeholders understand the task ahead.

UNDP Programme Analyst-Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ms Sidsel Vognsen said it was important for the country to green the economy.

“We are happy to be working with Zimbabwe in its efforts to green its economy. We are also supporting the country to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gases among other climate initiatives,” she said.

The funding from Russia will also be used to facilitate partnerships with investors and companies, including Russian business actors and academic institutions in order to foster collaboration and technological exchange for low emission development.

The three-year project will be implemented by the UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Environment Water and Climate.