GOVERNANCE STUDY – More finances to ENRM needed for long-term climate resilience
Climate governance study aimed at promoting climate justice in accordance with enabler number seven which is environmental sustainability of the development blueprint MW2063
LILONGWE, Malawi (Planet Defence) – Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) Monday presented for validation a climate change governance study that seeks to among other things foster openness and accountability and ensure rights holders have a meaningful impact on development of climate-related resilient policies to cushion most vulnerable populations.
The study aimed to advance the welfare of the populace in terms of promoting climate justice and financing, significance of good governance as a way of speeding up climate action in accordance with enabler number seven of MW2063 which is environmental sustainability.
The study analysed four areas namely; financial aspect of climate justice, adequate of policy, strategies and alignment of existing governing policies and legislations inline with the Malawi Vision 2063 said Bertha Phiri, MEJN Executive Director during her opening speech.
“We are humbled and respected that you have spared your time to come and validate this study. It zeroes in on the climate finance aspect and implementation and domestication of the outcomes of UN Conference of Parties annual gatherings,” Bertha told the gathering.
Natural Resources and Climate Change Committee representative Esther Jolobala who was guest of honour acknowledged the dissemination platform saying as law makers they welcomed awareness meetings of this nature by non-state actors.
“It is time for parliament to come out on these issues as climate change is now a key priority issue just like health and education are. She added that if not well managed there was a high likelihood that climate change would affect health and education sectors. This in the process will divert resources that would have benefitted the populations,” Jolobala made reference to the recent effects of cyclone Freddy that heavily affected other sectors of development.
She thanked non state actors and urged them to continue engaging the committee. “We can only deliver when we are supported by knowledge through ideas and information. Only then can we do better as parliamentarians to promote law and regulations in addressing vice,” Jolobala who has actively participated in climate advocacy issues sent the call.
A key take home message from the findings was that environment and natural resources sector funding allocation was in adequate compared to that of disaster management as part of response which was five-fold in terms of allocation.
Analysts suggested that funding be channelled for adaptation and mitigation efforts towards building long term resilience to climate change effects, if the country was to contain challenges brought about by climate uncertainties.
The study comes as the country is preparing the United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change, Conference of Parties 28 planned for Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Malawi delegation led by Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Honourable Dr. Micheal Usi that attended the 2023 Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya stressed a need for more financial support towards adaptation and resilient building programmes to address the adverse effects of climate related challenges.
Malawi has experienced an increase in frequency, intensity and magnitude over the last two decades of extreme weather events. Earlier this year Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit Malawi as the country while facing one of the worst cholera outbreaks in recent history and high food insecurity at the peak of the lean season.
In its final assessment Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in the Office of the President and Cabinet reported that Freddy affected more than 2,514,910 people, displacing over 659,000, with 676 deaths, 537 missing and 2,186 injured.
The overall impact of this multiplicity of crises is reversing the hard-won gains made by the country towards poverty reduction and has triggered monetary tightening through deep fiscal consolidation and austerity measures exacerbating the already existing shrinking economy.