Zimbabwe’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) Submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

This Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a nationwide sectoral document aiming to contribute to limiting temperature rise to below 1.5 Celsius degrees to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable the economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. At the base of this document, there is the conviction that strategically beneficial mitigation actions present a good opportunity for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time enhancing socio-economic growth and improving livelihoods. Furthermore, the country has a vast potential for renewable energy production such as hydro-power and solar, which combined with energy efficiency and other related environmentally sound projects to constitute Zimbabwe’s INDC.
The document presents both mitigation and adaptation measures. The mitigation component of Zimbabwe’s INDC focuses on the energy sector promoting initiatives seeking to keep GHGs emissions at a minimal level and ensuring green development. Main interventions will regard (i) energy efficiency improvement; (ii) renewable energy increased use and working towards universal access to cleaner energy; (iii) increasing hydro-power generation; (iv) refurbishment and electrification of the rail system and review of the entire transport system; (v) Integrated Waste Management; (vi) changing thermal power station technologies; and (vii) REDD+ implementation.
As for the adaptation measures, they concern agricultural sector, given its vulnerability to climate change effects especially water stress, flooding and other extremes such as frost and hail. They are (i) promoting adapted crop and livestock development and climate smart agricultural practices; (ii) building resilience in managing climate related disaster risks; (iii) strengthening management of water resources and irrigation; and (iv) promoting practices that reduce risk of losses in crops, livestock and agricultural incomes. The document provides also a number of cross-sectoral adaptation measures that include research, awareness, gender responsive issues and management practices.
To make agriculture and forestry more productive and sustainable, the INDC envisages (i) conservation agriculture; (ii) indigenous and scientific knowledge on drought tolerant crops; (iii) indigenous livestock resilient to changes in temperatures and rainfall; (iv) sustainable intensification and commercialization of agriculture across agro-ecology; (v) promotion of practices that reduce risk of losses in crops, livestock and agricultural incomes; (vi) promotion of water harvesting together with an integrated water resources management; and (vii) promoting of non-timber forest products and sustainable agro-forestry practices to enhance forest-based adaptation.
The resilience of livelihood to disasters will be increased through (i) building resilience in managing climate related disaster risks such as droughts by early warning systems on climate related agricultural risks and an integrated approach in all sectors of the economy to reduce impacts of climate extreme events; (ii) strengthening management of water resources and irrigation in the face of climate change; (iii) strengthening biodiversity conservation management and integrity of natural ecosystems to adapt to climate change; (iv) increasing the water-holding capacity of reservoirs in anticipation of increased abstraction and increased evaporation; (v) strengthening monitoring systems for hydro-meteorological parameters; and (vi) promoting capacity building through research and development, education and awareness, and training in climate change related issues.
As for the Governance, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate as the National Focal Point on Climate Change, is mandated to guide the nation’s compliance in all multi-lateral environmental agreements, including INDC. In this regard, the Ministry shall work in constant liaison with the Office of President and the Cabinet. Other relevant Ministries and key stakeholders are involved to ensure implementation and alignment with the various sectoral plans.