The government of Zimbabwe has launched two projects focused on sustainable soil and water management, as the country grapples with rising climate pressures affecting agriculture and food security. The new projects “Capacity Development on Sustainable Soil Management in the Global South” and “National Water Roadmap towards 2030 Sustainable Development Goals”, are backed by the UN’s…
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for a global shift in mindset and policy to protect the world’s wetlands, describing them as vital ecosystems under growing threat. This was said during the opening of the COP15 summit of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Victoria Falls, Mnangagwa said wetlands provide essential services including water purification, flood…
By La’eeqa Martin, Zahraa Essa, Sakhile Dube, Lalla Masondo, Sibusiso Mazomba, Luvo Mnyobe, Bupe Mwangala Mulenga, Rachel Itenderezwe, Hadson Muwisa, Masego Mokgwetsi Zambia, Botswana, and Lesotho did not include youth in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These are national targets outlining how each country will reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts. They are blueprints…
Environmental leaders at the COP15 summit on wetlands have called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent the continued degradation of wetlands, as countries face growing challenges in managing and restoring these critical ecosystems. The Global Wetland Report states that since 1970, wetlands have declined by 0.52% per year, amounting to the loss of over 411…
Land barons have illegally occupied more than 140 sites across Harare, prompting the city to turn to the courts in a bid to stop rampant and unregulated developments, parliament heard on Monday. City officials say the capital is experiencing a surge in illegal construction, including on ecologically sensitive wetlands and along roadways, with legal challenges…
Africa is facing an alarming rate of wetland degradation, with losses that may surpass the global average of 35% since 1970, warns Dr Julie Mulonga, Director of Wetlands International East Africa. She warned of widespread environmental and economic consequences unless urgent action is taken to restore and protect the continent’s rapidly disappearing wetlands. Ahead of…
The ongoing destruction of wetlands worldwide could result in the loss of up to $250 trillion in economic benefits by 2050, according to the 2025 edition of the Global Wetland Outlook (GWO) released on Tuesday. Wetlands, which provide critical ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood protection, carbon storage, and support for agriculture and fisheries,…
Zimbabwe’s government has reported a surge in interest from both domestic and international stakeholders in its carbon credit initiatives, following the introduction of new regulations aimed at formalising the sector. The development comes after the government enacted Statutory Instrument 48 of 2025, which outlines comprehensive guidelines for the registration and trading of carbon credits. The…
Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife has directed carbon project developers to resubmit their applications in line with newly gazetted regulations under Statutory Instrument 48 of 2025, which repeals the previous 2023 carbon trading framework and establishes a new regulatory authority. “The Ministry wishes to officially inform all stakeholders that the Government of Zimbabwe…
Zimbabwean youth are demanding a formal seat at the table as the country prepares to host the Ramsar Convention’s 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) on wetlands later this month. Dozens of young environmentalists, researchers and students gathered in Harare recently for a youth seminar on wetlands, organised by the African Youth Initiative on…
