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The Zambian Parliamentary Caucus on Environment and Climate Change has urged African nations to prioritise local resource mobilization for climate change activities, warning against over-reliance on donor funding.
Caucus Chairperson, Twaambo Mutinta, said during an interview with Zambia Monitor on Tuesday that the dependency on external financing was unsustainable and risky, particularly given the uncertainty around global commitments like the Paris Agreement.
Mutinta expressed concern over recent actions by U.S. President Donald Trump, who signed executive orders to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord and bolster fossil fuel industries.
“The news that the U.S. will reduce its climate change financing is alarming, especially for Southern African countries like Zambia, which are highly vulnerable to climate impacts,” Mutinta said.
He emphasized that African nations must continue advocating for climate justice while exploring alternative strategies to address the financial gap created by such decisions.
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“Southern countries, including Zambia, are pushing for financing to address loss and damage caused by climate change, but major polluters like America and some European countries are backtracking. This is concerning, given the devastating impacts of their carbon emissions,” he stated.
Mutinta highlighted the destructive effects of climate change in Zambia, such as washed-out bridges, damaged crops, and disrupted education due to flooding.
“African governments need to act swiftly to close the financial gap caused by reduced international support. Local resource mobilization is critical to building resilience and addressing these challenges,” he said.
Mutinta underscored that the reliance on donor support, while significant, is insufficient for long-term solutions, urging African leaders to strengthen domestic financing mechanisms.
“Proactively addressing climate change through local financing and mitigation measures will reduce our vulnerability to disasters and ensure sustainable development,” he added.
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