Climate change likely to reduce economic growth - Chiteme | WestMac Media

By Staff Writer 

The Minister of National Development Planning Honourable Alexander Chiteme says climate change is likely to reduce economic growth in developing countries and significant investments in climate change adaptation and mitigation are necessary. 

Speaking at Hotel Laico L’amitié Bamako in Mali where he featured as a panelist on a Ministerial Roundtable discussion under the theme: ‘Paradigm shift toward low-emission and climate-resilient sustainable development in Africa’ at the Green Climate Fund (GCF) organised Structured Dialogue with Africa, the Honourable Minister said most of African countries like Zambia depend on rain fed agriculture and the sector was mostly driven by the rural people. 

Mr Chiteme observed that any variabilities due to climate change in rainfall patterns, such as droughts and other harsh weather conditions, tend to affect food production and living condition. 

And he pointed that about 60 per cent of Zambians depend on rain-fed agriculture. 

The Minister said reduction in cash crop production was a threat to Zambia’s national economic diversification, job creation agenda and the fight against poverty. 

The Minister said when the agricultural sector’s capacity to sustain livelihoods was impaired people tend to look for other sources and rapid urbanisation tend to emanate, as was the case in Zambia at present. 

He said urbanisation increases pressure to create jobs at a rapid rate, and further presses demand on provision of social services such as education, health, renewable energy and water and sanitation facilities. 

“At country level we are taking measures to investment in the production of renewable energy sources and enhance our technology to invest in agricultural production that can circumvent climate change variabilities, however the rate at which we are being affected by climate change is faster than our capacity to cope,” said Mr. Chiteme. 

The Structured Dialogue with Africa has attracted National Designated Authorities and focal points from all 54 African countries, accredited entities, readiness delivery partners, civil society and other stakeholders to share views and experiences of their countries on paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient sustainable development among other objective.