Zimbabwe, with support from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), has launched a groundbreaking project to enhance energy efficiency and encourage the use of renewable energy sources across private companies and public sector institutions.
The project, titled “Upscale the Rolling-out of Energy, Water, and HFC Audits in Private Companies & Public Sector Institutions,” is funded by the NDC Partnership Action Fund (PAF) through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). COMESA serves as the implementing partner, ensuring the effective execution of the initiative.
Director of Climate Change Management at the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, Washington Zhakata underscored the critical importance of this initiative during the launch meeting. “Raising awareness on the importance of resource-use efficiency is very paramount, and on the other hand, the continued change in the climate globally compels Zimbabwe to invest more in Green House Gas (GHG) emission reductions,” Zhakata said.
The project aims to conduct comprehensive audits of energy, water, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) within various entities to identify opportunities for improving efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
This initiative is expected to not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also foster a culture of sustainability within Zimbabwe’s economic sectors.
Programme Manager of the COMESA Climate Change Programme, Edith Tibahwa highlighted the broader implications of the project for the region.
“The importance of this project cannot be over-emphasized. It marks a significant step forward in our collective efforts to enhance energy efficiency and promote renewable energy adoption in the region. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and resilient future for Zimbabwe and the entire COMESA region,” she said.
Zimbabwe’s commitment to international environmental agreements was also a focal point of the discussion. “Zimbabwe, being a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and its Kigali Amendment, brings an obligation to domesticate the provisions of those environmental agreements,” Tibahwa added.
The project’s success, stakeholders said could pave the way for more ambitious climate action plans and the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies across Africa.
