Climate change threatens to reverse Zambia’s developmental gains

Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba

Government says climate change threatens to reverse development gains Zambia has made over the last many years.

Speaking during the Government and European Union member states conference of the parties (COP 21) coalition building in Lusaka this morning, Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba says Zambia requires a strong programme on climate change to handle the pressure of climate impacts on the economy.

He notes that climate change is no longer a rhetoric environmental issue, but a serious challenge for the social economic and environmental development of the country.

Mr. Yamba who is also the national authorizing officer of the European Union development fund says floods and droughts are becoming more intense and unpredictable each season as can be evidenced by the poor rainfall patterns experienced during the 2014/2015 rainfall season.

He notes that agriculture and energy production slowed down this year leading to lowering of the country’s gross domestic product by an estimated 2 percentage points.

He points out that temperatures are projected to rise to 5 degrees Celsius and as a result the frequency and intensity of the extreme climatic events are expected to impact on the agriculture, water, infrastructure and energy sectors.

Mr. Yamba states that without action, rainfall variability alone could lead to losses of over one percent of annual gross domestic product growth over the next decade keeping an additional 300,000 Zambians below the poverty line.

And speaking earlier, EU Head of Delegation Alessandro Mariani says the European Union is pleased that Zambia has submitted its intended contribution to the new agreement because it is vitally important that all countries commit to adopting a new agreement and playing their part in tackling climate change.

He stresses that the Paris climate conference will be a historic milestone and all people all around the world are expecting their leaders to signal that they are ready and willing to take decisive action to tackle climate change.

The 21^st conference of the parties (COP 21) will take place in Paris in December 2015.