#COP28 - Malawi's trialogue centre on circular economy, energy, innovation and sustainable climate finance
The climate trialogue will create awareness and advocacy around measures, investment opportunities and pathways to support transition from business-as-usual scenario towards a green economy
LILONGWE, Malawi (Planet Defence) – Malawi’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change through Environmental Affairs Department and Association of Environmental Journalists are hosting a two-day Pre – COP 28 trialogue on green innovation, energy transition, sustainable climate financing and circular economy.
Support for the initiative is from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) who have been implementing a five-year long National Climate Resilience Programme (NCRP) from 2019 ending 2022 with a possibility of extension.
One of the initiatives under output three of the NCRP is to engage innovators through a window under applied research and innovation. The overall goal is to enhance the country’s research uptake and adoption of climate smart approaches and climate friendly technologies.
The applied research and innovation window aims at providing policy makers with evidence-based initiatives for climate change response through stimulating innovations and strengthening linkages between policy and research at national level.
The trialogue held under the theme,” Together for Impact,” is focusing on green innovation, energy transition, sustainable climate financing and circular economy. Circular economy is a model of production and consumption being advocated globally now, it involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible.
All these aim to demonstrate the power of innovation and create awareness and advocacy around measures, investment opportunities and pathways to support transition from business-as-usual scenario towards a green economy by conducting a climate change peer learning and innovation.
The trialogue audience include innovators and researchers, policy makers and the private sector. Other key stakeholders include non-state actors of primary interest such as local leaders, civil society organizations and the media medium of dissemination.
Fenella Frost, United Nations Resident Representative in Malawi in her remarks stressed that financial support for climate change research is paramount as a way towards resilience building.
"Grant and funding programmes provide crucial resources for research projects. I am heartened to inform you that UNDP has supported innovators through research and innovation windows." Frost made the remarks in her speech at BICC in Lilongwe.
The urgency of addressing climate change cannot be over – emphasized. She added climate change poses an existential threat to sustainable development which his institution is particularly championing to leave no one behind particularly for developing countries, communities and most vulnerable people.
“Climate change has the potential to reverse the progress, we have made in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” Frost sounded the warning.
In his turn, Dr. Yusuf Mkungula, Principal Secretary for Natural Resources and Climate Change said preparatory process for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP28 slated for United Arab Emirates are underway. These include a two-day trialogue and training on diplomacy and skills and art of negotiation to take place on Thursday, 9th November, 2023.
According to Mkungula, the trialogue aims to provide a platform for Government and its partners including the community to discuss issues around the following four key areas: Green Innovations; Energy Transition; Sustainable Climate Financing; and Circular Economy.
Dr. Micheal Usi responsible Minister learning from recent disaster episodes with Cyclone Freddy effects in mind observed, it is a known fact that, as the extreme weather events have increased in frequency and intensity, and owing to our inadequate capacity to address them, Malawi remains highly vulnerable to the effects and impact of climate change in the coming decades.
As we look ahead to COP 28 said Usi, we must recognize the urgent need for concerted action to address challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation. Our commitment to a sustainable and resilient future is more crucial than ever.
On the importance of green innovations, energy transition, sustainable climate financing, and circular economy in climate change management, Usi made the following observations.
“Green innovations has always been the driving force behind progress. Today, as we face climate-related challenges, green innovation becomes imperative. Our focus should be on developing and adopting technologies that are sustainable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly,” Usi made the strong sentiment adding that, “We need innovative solutions for renewable energy, clean transportation, and sustainable agriculture. Our scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs have a pivotal role to play in this endeavour. Let us support and nurture their innovative spirit to pave the way for a greener and brighter future.”
Usi further encouraged communicators to devise tailor made sensitisation campaigns ensure they are well monitored and evaluated.
The two day green trialogue will serve as a platform to showcase existing locally driven innovations, exchange information and set up locally driven pathways that will support the actualization or scaling up innovations. It will also provide a platform for pitching of potential innovative ideas that can enhance Malawi’s transitioning process to low carbon economic development pathways.
#MalawiTrialogue2023 #ClimateActionNow