Maravi

Govt looks to donors for help on climate change

Govt looks to donors for help on climate change
By Mwala Kalaluka
Tuesday February 26, 2008 [03:00]

THE government has asked developed nations not to be stingy in disbursing funds to combat the effects of climate change in poor nations. And British High Commissioner to Zambia Alistair Harrison has said a delayed strategy in addressing the challenge of climate will have a catastrophic effect on the world’s economy.

During the opening of a British Council-organised workshop on climate change for Zambian legislators at Parliament building yesterday, tourism minister Michael Kaingu said it was not enough for developed nations to remain rhetorical over climate change.

“If we just talk about climate change, I am sure all of you are aware about this, but what we are telling the developed world is to put the money; they are the culprits,” he said. “They are the ones who have been emitting the green house gases.”

Kaingu said it was out of such a spirit that developing nations lobbied rich nations during the Bali Convention to provide funds to build their capacities in managing the problem of climate change.

And High Commissioner Harrison said he had noted both his government and the Zambian government’s activeness in multi-lateral diplomacy to deal with the effects of climate change.

“This is a global problem for a globalised economic system and it needs a global solution,” High Commissioner Harrison said.

“Important progress has been made notably in agreements to replace the Kyoto Protocol but a lot more needs to be done.”
He said it was essential that all parts of the world got involved.

“If we act now it will cost money; it will cost resources but the cost will be bearable. If on the other hand we delay in our global response to climate change the consequences will be absolutely catastrophic,” said High Commissioner Harrison.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa called for a substantial shift to the use of renewable energy in the country’s cities.

Officiating at the exhibition dubbed ‘Zero Carbon City’, Speaker Mwanamwambwa said a significant part of climate change was caused by people living in cities.

“It is therefore important that cities such as Lusaka, Ndola and I want to throw in Kitwe here, do substantially run on renewable energy to reduce on carbon emissions,” he suggested.

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