Climate crisis claims up to 5% of Africa’s GDP – report
Staff Writer African countries are losing between two and five percent of their gross domestic…
ESG adoption increases in Zim mining sector
Staff Writer At least 67 percent of mining companies in Zimbabwe have environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies guiding their operational and investment strategies, a new report has shown. The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe’s State of the Mining Industry Survey Report highlighted a growing commitment to ESG initiatives among mining companies. On average, mining…
COP29: Zimbabwe calls for gender-sensitive climate action
Staff Writer Zimbabwe’s Secretary for Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Mavis Sibanda, has emphasised the critical need for gender-sensitive climate action ahead of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). Speaking at the Gender and Climate Change COP29 Preparatory Meeting in the capital, Sibanda highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change…
AfDB approves $34.8 million to build climate resilience in Malawi, Zimbabwe
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved grants totaling $34,79 million to help vulnerable communities in Malawi and Zimbabwe adapt to and recover from climate disasters. Through its Africa Disaster Risk Financing (ADRiFi) initiative, the AfDB is supporting the Mitigating Fragility through the Africa Disaster Risk Financing Programme in…
Carbon markets can play a major role in financing clean energy
Joseph McMonigle, International Energy Forum Secretary General Carbon credits could play a significant part in reaching net zero by 2050. But the carbon market needs much greater integrity and credibility — as well as supply. How can we achieve this? The global voluntary carbon market (VCM) is a critical tool for mobilising finance for decarbonisation…
Tobacco industry banks on favourable weather
Staff Writer The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) is optimistic about reaching 300 million kilograms (kgs) of tobacco yield for the 2024/25 season, attributed to positive weather forecasts from the Meteorological Services Department. The Meteorological Services Department recently released its seasonal rainfall forecast, predicting above-normal rainfall across Zimbabwe for the majority of the 2024/25…
UNICEF calls for access to water to be prioritised in El Niño response to build community resilience
UNICEF Access to safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene services are key to ensuring children’s rights to health, nutrition, education, and protection. Without water, a child cannot be fed well and grow healthy. As Zimbabwe faces the El Niño-induced drought, UNICEF calls on the government and partners to prioritise investment in water, sanitation, and…
Zimbabwe launches insurance to shield farmers from climate shocks
Staff Writer Zimbabwe’s pioneering agricultural insurance program has delivered its first successful payouts in Goromonzi, offering crucial relief to smallholder farmers struggling with the devastating impacts of climate change. The Farmer’s Basket Insurance product, a first-of-its-kind initiative, aims to protect farmers from financial losses caused by erratic rainfall patterns, droughts, and other climate-induced risks. Speaking…
Old Mutual Zimbabwe commits to green energy investments
Staff Writer Old Mutual Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability, with a focus on financing green and renewable energy projects. The diversified financial services group said it is also proactively supporting innovative businesses working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints. The group’s strategic focus aligns with the growing global emphasis on sustainability…
Bulawayo faces looming water crisis as drought bites
Staff Writer The water crisis in Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, Bulawayo, has deepened significantly following the decommissioning of the Upper Ncema Dam last week. The dam, which had critically declined to 2.08%, has reached a dead water state, marking the second dam decommissioned in the city. In November 2023, the Umzingwane Dam was also decommissioned due…
Global rivers face water crisis as 2023 breaks drought record
The year 2023 marked the driest year for global rivers in over three decades, according to a new report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which signaled critical changes in water availability in an era of growing demand. The last five consecutive years have recorded widespread below-normal conditions for river flows, with reservoir inflows…
