05 Jul 2023

Botswana should strive to scale up climate change adaptation projects in an effort to mitigate global warming and climate change effects, says European Union’s head of cooperation, Mr Clement Boutillier.

Mr Boutillier was speaking at the official handover of a climate smart agricultural project, in the form of a water borehole, to the Metsimotlhabe Community Trust recently.

He said environmental management was a critical component in attaining food security, and it was thus on such backdrop that the EU saw it fit to empower the community with the solar powered borehole for drip irrigation system and a hydroponics system for high value horticultural production.

“It is critical that we develop a frame work that promotes sustainable developments that meet basic human needs while protecting the environment,” he said.

Mr Boutillier said there should be commitment to at least triple funding for climate change adaptation, in line with the Paris Agreement, which recommended that provision of financial resources should aim to achieve a balance between mitigation and adaptation.

“We have already laid the groundwork for a scaled-up adaptation effort. This strategy will provide the framework for our climate adaptation measures in light of the threefold increase in funding for this area,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Gabane/Mmankgodi, Mr Kagiso Mmusi, also Minister of Defence and Security urged the community to protect the project from criminal activities.

Mr Mmusi said the Metsimotlhabe Community Trust should be vigilant to ensure that resources it owned benefitted the communities.

He appealed with the community trust to act accountably in utilising  funds and assets in an effort to ensure its sustainability and improve livelihoods. 

For his part, deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs, Mr Nchidzi Mmolawa indicated that the project came at an opportune time when Botswana was at the receiving end of the negative effects climate change.

Mr Mmolawa said climate investment should prioritise water energy and agricultural sectors since the country was experiencing unreliable rainfall resulting in periodic drought seasons. ENDs