Nearly 80% of the world’s poor, 887 million people, live in regions that are exposed to extreme heat, flooding and other climate hazards, a new report shows, highlighting the urgent need for global action to address the issue. The report released on Friday by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford University ahead of the COP30 climate…
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rose by a record amount in 2024, reaching new highs and locking in further long-term warming and extreme weather, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The surge was driven by continued human emissions, more wildfire activity and weakened absorption by land and ocean “sinks” – a development that threatens to create a…
From 1970 until 2000, the costs of disasters averaged $70 to $80 billion. Those mainly preventable costs doubled this century to average $180 to $200 billion annually, according to a recent report published by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Most of the exorbitant costs of disaster are preventable with proper funding and planning —one…
The Minister of Agriculture, Anxious Masuka, says Zimbabwe is targeting 100% adoption of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme in the 2026 farming season to combat climate change impacts. The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme uses conservation agriculture (planting basins, mulching) to ensure long-term, sustainable food security, even amid extreme weather. Speaking at the official opening of the 4th African Plant…
Over 200 African government and partner representatives reaffirmed their commitment to identifying opportunities to scale up national and regional action on climate. The affirmation came at the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Regional Dialogue, which convened key stakeholders from across the continent, including government focal points (Nationally Designated Authorities), implementing partners, civil society, and the private…
Staff Writer Over 40% of Zimbabwe’s rural households lack knowledge of climate change, a critical gap in a nation already grappling with a food security crisis exacerbated by extreme weather events, a new report shows. According to the findings from the 2025 Rural Livelihoods Assessment, there is urgent need for enhanced awareness and educational programs…
The 13th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XIII) concluded Sunday, in Addis Ababa, with a call for urgent action and scaled-up investment to advance Africa’s climate agenda. Convened by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in partnership with the African Development Bank, the African Union Commission, and the Pan-African Climate Justice…
Staff Writer The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in partnership with the World Bank and the Kingdom of Eswatini, is launching a new platform aimed at shifting the region’s approach to drought from reactive crisis management to proactive resilience building. The SADC and Eswatini Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) platform will be launched during the DRM…
Zimbabwe has gazetted the Climate Change Management Bill, 2025, establishing a regulatory framework for climate change mitigation and adaptation actions. The bill, approved by Cabinet and now awaiting parliamentary debate, seeks to consolidate power and responsibility for all climate-related matters under the Climate Change Management Department. The proposed legislation establishes the department as the primary…
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will convene a series of high-level climate meetings in Lusaka, Zambia, from September 1 to 11, 2025, aimed at bolstering regional efforts in disaster preparedness and climate resilience. The events, including the 31st Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-31), the Climate Experts Meeting, and a validation workshop for the…
