17 Nov 2016

Botswana is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent by 2030.

“Our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) comprises of measures such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and transport,” said President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama during his address to the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change (UNFCCC) in Morocco on November 16.

He said the country’s adaptation efforts focused largely on vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, water and health.

President Khama said in addressing climate change, Botswana continued to incur considerable costs of both environmental and economic nature.

As such, the President said Botswana had thus indicated that its ability to implement its NDC pledge would require support of the international community.

“We will therefore seek to utilise the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to assist us in reaching our aspirations,” he said.

The President also stated that the Paris Agreement was premised upon recognition of both economic and human development needs whilst putting emphasis on the necessary leadership in climate action of developed country.

He said it was gratifying that the agreement aimed at strengthening global response to the threat of climate change by following a sustainable development pathway.

“Botswana is proud to be one of the founding signatories to the Paris Agreement, which was successfully negotiated at the 21st Conference of the Parties,” he said.

President Khama said Botswana expected COP 22 to give conclusive guidance and action towards implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Meanwhile, President Khama who had back to back meetings, said at Africa Day high level event at the African pavilion that Botswana rivers, forests, agricultural lands and other resources were equally at risk due to precarious eco-systems.

 This, he said, had culminated in establishment of the Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa (GDSA), a platform which focused on natural capital valuation and accounting for sustainable development.

Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa according to President Khama will in the long run contribute directly to climate change adaptation and also build the adaptive capacity of communities in transitioning towards a green economy.

“The GDSA is thus committed to securing ecological health for the African region despite the fact that climate change alongside habitat destruction, biodiversity loss and forest depletion poses a real threat to the sustainability of nature and human kind,” he said.

President Khama also stated that inspite of immense climate challenges, the world needed to be attuned to opportunities presented thereof. BOPA