Zimbabwe lacks expertise to deal with climate change

The Herald (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe lacks the technical expertise and institutional capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change, a study has revealed. Environment and Natural Resources Management permanent secretary Ms Florence Nhekairo announced the findings at a function to commission the joint programme to intensify the fight against climate. The programme is called "Strengthening national capacity for climate change programme in Zimbabwe".

Ms Nhekairo said a recent study carried by her ministry had shown that climate change remained the biggest challenge to the country as it was threatening food security and economic growth.

"The study reveals that the country has weak inter- and intra-sectoral co-ordination in climate change issues, limited capacity for climate change policy analysis and implementation and limited resources to fund climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes," she said.

"It also came out clear that there is insufficient technical expertise in climate change information packaging and inadequate local specialised training facilities and programmes in climate change, among other weaknesses." Zimbabwe is one of many Third World countries that have been severely affected by climate change as witnessed by droughts, floods and other weather vagaries that have rocked the country over the years...