By Rudo Saungweme

Government has urged all ministries, parastatals and the private sector to work together in creating a pathway towards a climate resilient and low carbon development economy in which people have enough adaptive capacity and continue to develop in harmony with the environment.

Speaking at the Inter-Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change today, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement, Retired Chief Air Marshal Perrence Shiri said that climate change was affecting everyone in society adding that there was need to work together in formulating plans and policies on how to adapt to the changes.

"Climate change is a cross-cutting issue affecting all socio-economic development sectors. This means all line ministries have to integrate climate change into their policy, planning and budgeting frameworks.

"Likewise, the responses needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions require manufacturers, the energy sector, cities, farmers, the transport sector, small-scale businesses and individuals to play their part.

"It is therefore important for all Government ministries and senior Government officials to be informed of the orientation of the climate change," said the Minister.

Minister Shiri highlighted that the Government should be prepared to take the advantages and disadvantages that come with climate changes. To that effect, he indicated that the World is disbursing more funds to fight the climate change.

"Honourable Ministers, climate change presents both challenges and opportunities. As the world increases its response to the climate menace, more and more climate finance is being made available through multi-lateral institutions such as the Green Climate Fund.

"International financial institutions are demanding that countries clearly demonstrate their efforts in fighting climate change. Thus, the Government of Zimbabwe should be prepared and abreast with the advantages and disadvantages of active participation in various climate change initiatives," he said.

Ministsr Shiri stated that the country's Low Emission Development Strategy document is about to be completed, adding that the consultations on the strategy include experts from the agriculture, industrial processing, forestry, energy, transport and land-use change and forestry.

At the dialogue, Minister Shiri informed the public that the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres has called for a Climate Summit that is going to be held on 23 September 2019 in New York alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The climate change has negatively affected the world resulting in declining water resources and water quality, reduced agricultural productivity, damaged infrastructure, loss of lives and ecosystems degradation.