15 Oct 2023

Botswana needs billions of dollars to tackle the impact of climate change and such funds could only be available through the commitment of countries of the global north to fulfill their moral and legal obligation.

Speaking at a press conference at the conclusion of his cross-country visit, the outgoing United Nations special rapporteur on human rights and environment Dr David Boyd, therefore promised to add his voice to help the country and those alike on calling the developed countries to commit to providing the much needed funds to help the country undergo a transition from coal fired power generation to renewable energy.

He said availing funds would also enable the country to take necessary steps towards adaptation.

“Such funding can come from various sources such as the Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility as well as the Multi-Lateral Development banks,” he said.

Dr Boyd also implored the county to consider more usage of solar energy as it had the potential to be a world leader in that area.

“Botswana has the potential to become a global solar superpower, shifting to 100 per cent renewable electricity and exporting clean energy across Southern Africa.

This can be achieved by using a human rights-based approach to strengthen the regulatory framework and attract major infusion of investment,” he said.

Dr Boyd said just like the rest of Africa, Botswana was feeling the most impact of climate change compared to the rest of the world despite emitting the lowest levels of greenhouse gases by comparison.

He said climate change effects such as declining rainfalls, water scarcity, food insecurity and vector-borne disease risks were already hitting the country hard, and that from the human rights perspective, climate change was jeopardising the full enjoyment of such.

He also hailed Botswana’s commitment in doing its part to address the crisis through the establishment of an ambitious climate strategy that highlighted renewable energy and gender equality.

He, however, indicated that the country still needed to do more on areas of access to environmental information as well as meaningful participation in decision-making by the civil society.

“The government should support the civil society organisations, human rights defenders and youth as they carry out their vital human rights and environmental work,” he said. ENDS