Malawi's Updated Nationally Determined Contributions - July 2021.

Malawi's Updated Nationally Determined Contributions - July 2021 presents the Government of Malawi's update of its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for mitigation and adaptation for the period 2015 to 2040. The contributions described in this submission build upon Malawi's existing NDC, new policies and national plans, and reflect subsequent work in developing quantifiable mitigation and adaptation targets informed by improved data collection, in-depth technical analysis and extensive stakeholder engagement.
Malawi's mitigation contribution takes the form of a reduction in GHG emissions relative to a business-as-usual (BAU) emissions baseline over the period to 2040. The contribution comprises of two components: unconditional contribution (domestically supported and implemented mitigation measures and policies) and conditional contribution (additional targeted contribution, based on the provision of international support and funding). The sectoral scope of this contribution covers emissions from the categories of energy; industrial processes and product use; waste; and agriculture, but excludes sources from forestry and other land use. These latter sources may be included within future contributions, subject to improved data availability and ongoing development in the accuracy of their quantification within the national GHG inventory. The Mitigation Section describes the emissions sources covered by the contribution according to the latest national GHG inventory year (livestock and crop management have the highest GHG impact), the development of BAU emissions projections by sector to 2040, the expected contribution from mitigation measures according to each sector, and the associated funding requirements expected for both the unconditional and conditional components. The assessment of GHG mitigation measures for Malawi was undertaken according to a four-step process: 1) Identifying mitigation options; 2) Assessing the potential; 3) Evaluating the measures (quantitative analysis was complimented by a broader assessment in order to determine and validate which measures can be implemented through domestic efforts (unconditional measures) and which will instead require international support and finance (conditional measures), including through international market-based approaches; 4) Alternative GHG emissions pathways. Within energy use, increased use of renewables and clean coal technology to meet increasing energy demand combined dominate the mitigation potential ( carbon capture and storage (CCS); grid hydropower, etc). Within agriculture, soil conservation measures – which include conservation or zero tillage and crop residue and rotation practices – account for almost half of the sector's feasible mitigation potential. The bulk of the remaining mitigation potential includes measures to reduce enteric fermentation emissions from livestock, including improved livestock husbandry and the potential introduction of new species to replace local herd. Within waste, the most significant potential is identified within energy utilization measures such as landfill gas recovery and to a lesser extent direct waste-to-energy (WtE) plants. Within forestry and other land use (FOLU), the most significant drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Malawi are the expansion of agriculture and settlements, and unsustainable fuelwood extraction. Four key areas of intervention were identified for quantitative assessment and inclusion within the NDC: 1. Afforestation (protective forests, woodlots and urban forests) 2. Agroforestry (wood, fruit and fodder) 3. Sustainable forest management (including REDD+) 4. Riparian restoration.
Another section of the document describes the adaptation component of Malawi's NDC. After a description of vulnerability and resilience to climate change impacts, a description is made of the methodology used to prioritise adaptation priorities and develop relevant indicators. Adaptation actions are then described, followed by a summary of the national Implementation Plan for prioritised measures and their estimated funding requirements. The measures and actions were grouped according to the following thematic areas: 1) Effective and efficient EWS; 2) Accessible and harmless water; 3) Blooming biodiversity, ecosystems and eco-tourism; 4) Smart agriculture, livestock and fisheries; 5) Climate-proofed infrastructures, buildings and energy systems; and 5) Healthy and protected people. Adaptation actions include: establishing community based early warning systems and flood water monitoring systems nationwide and prioritized in problematic rivers; drought, flood management and integrated watershed management; upscaling of measures for controlling the extinction of plant and animal species and degeneration of ecosystems/habitats; mechanize agricultural production with targeted support to smallholder farmer; establish grain export processing zone; develop and implement invasive alien species management plan; . establishing community and multiplication seed banks; resilient health by enhance public awareness about water, sanitation and hygiene practices; and enhance health surveillance of Malaria, Diarrhoea and Malnutrition; increased adoption of improved nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive practices; promotion of gender mainstreaming in policies, programmes and projects; support capacity building programmes for vulnerable groups