Trymore Tagwirei

Zimbabwe is edging closer to setting up a National Climate Fund to finance projects on climate change mitigation and adaptation, following the gazetting of the National Climate Change Management Bill last week.

If passed by Parliament, the Bill will provide a legal framework to coordinate climate action and integrate climate considerations across all sectors of the economy.

Clauses 25 and 26 of the Bill establish the National Climate Fund, which will co-finance projects, support local authorities, provide grants, and mobilise additional climate finance. The fund will also cover project preparation, climate impact assessments, and mainstream gender, equity, and inclusivity in climate programmes.

Other priorities include raising public awareness, supporting training and capacity building, facilitating technology transfer, incentivising clean energy adoption, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and providing resources for unforeseen climate emergencies.

The Bill also creates a Climate Change Management Department, mandated to implement the Act and oversee national climate policies and strategies.

Reporting directly to the Minister, the department will be decentralised to provincial and district levels, and headed by a director appointed on the basis of relevant qualifications and experience, as outlined in Clause 7.

The gazetting of the Bill follows Cabinet’s approval of its principles earlier this year and is seen as a significant step in strengthening Zimbabwe’s climate governance framework.