06 Dec 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says a climate change policy will be tabled before Parliament to include the use of solar and other clean energy technologies.

In his State-of-the-Nation-Address Monday (December 5), President Khama said that was consistent with Botswana participation in the climate change negotiations and the adoption of the Paris Agreement, which was signed in April 2016. He also indicated that government would further seek to secure access to climate financing mechanisms.

So far, he said 17 projects were at development stage and were earmarked for possible funding under the said mechanisms.

He added that private sector and non-governmental organisations would also be engaged in the delivery of government obligations under the agreement.

Further, he said through the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management project, government had also installed a network of 15 automatic weather stations.

On conserving biodiversity, President Khama said in implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), government would enhance the mainstreaming and implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD).

The Environmental Assessment Act of 2011, he said was undergoing review to facilitate national development and reduce the turnaround times.

He also noted that the membership of the Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa continued to grow with additional member states.

“It has been adopted by the AU as a vehicle to drive sustainable natural resources and the adoption of natural capital accounting,” he said. On wildlife management, he said wildlife poaching remained a scourge throughout Africa, including Botswana. He indicated that efforts to strengthen anti-poaching efforts had resulted in the purchase of additional equipment including vehicles and aircraft, as well as the undertaking of capacity building.“Thankfully, our rhino population is growing; a fact that has been internationally recognised and contributed positively to local tourism,” he said. ENDS