By Wezzie Gausi:
The Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change has called on the government to allocate more financial resources towards environmental management issues.
It says if climate change financing is neglected, the country could lose billions of Kwacha to natural disasters, citing the devastating impacts of Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which made landfall in Malawi on March 11 2023, as well as dry spells that have marred the 2024-25 rain-fed agriculture season.
“As such, we ask the government to increase the allocation it makes to the Ministry of Natural Resources, which is at the heart of natural resource conservation efforts in the country,” said committee chairperson Werani Chilenga.
He said this after attending a conference on clean cooking under Climate Parliament, which attracted lawmakers from across the world.
Chilenga faulted the country’s budget priorities, saying Malawi could not advance in clean energy and climate change mitigation efforts if funding remained problematic.
“The country’s priorities are upside down. Every development Malawi can achieve depends on the environment. However, climate change effects threaten development goals,” Chilenga said.
On his part, Climate Parliament Director for West and Central Africa Emmanuel Marfo emphasised the need for governments to prioritise clean cooking as part of climate action.
He urged Malawi to remove taxes on appliances that facilitate access to clean energy.
“The government should not impose taxes on products that help people transition to clean cooking. Member states need to take bold steps to ensure affordability and accessibility of such products,” Marfo said.
Modern Energy Cooking Services representative Alicia Butterfield,
also weighed in, stressing the need to reduce dependence on firewood for cooking.
“Malawi must find sustainable solutions to firewood usage. Ensuring electricity access for all is crucial. The country should also tap into available resources to expand clean energy options,” Butterfield said.
The calls come at a time deforestation has taken root in some parts of the country, with Zomba Forest becoming one of the affected areas.
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