TaCCET-Zim Applauds Global Youth Assembly’s Call for Climate Justice
By Staff Reporter
The Tackling Climate Change and Energy Transitions Project in Zimbabwe (TaCCET-Zim) applauds the Global Youth Assembly (GYA) on Climate Justice for their recent declaration and welcomes the successful operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund at the 28th Conference of the Parties (CoP 28) under the chairmanship of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The GYA’s call for an inclusive approach to climate governance resonates deeply with TaCCET-Zim, recognizing the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on communities and the need for systemic and radical action.
Zimbabwe, in particular, has faced devastating climate disasters, with Cyclone Idai in 2019 leaving eastern districts in ruins. The aftermath has left many families trapped in extreme poverty, unable to rebuild their lives.
“Victims of Cyclone Idai suffer not only from the physical destruction of their homes but also from psycho-social trauma, as the final resting places of their loved ones remain unknown,” says the TaCCET-Zim statement.
The Loss and Damage Fund’s operationalization is seen as a crucial step in providing psycho-social support, exhuming remains, positive identification, and repatriation for decent burials, offering closure to affected families.
The statement highlights the broader climate-related crises in Zimbabwe, including floods in Tokwe Mukosi, Tsholotsho, and Muzarabani, and the impact of coal seam fires in Hwange causing disabilities, hindering employment opportunities for affected individuals.
Additionally, people living with albinism face health complications due to rising temperatures, necessitating constant medication and specific lotions.
TaCCET-Zim calls on the Zimbabwean government to allocate funds from the Loss and Damage Fund and the Adaptation Fund to communities and populations most affected by climate variabilities.
“TaCCET-ZIM therefore calls on the government of Zimbabwe to: use loss and damage fund and the adaptation fund on communities and segments of our population that have suffered the most from climate variabilities. Compile an accurate database of individuals and families that have suffered losses and damages due to climate change, and as such, ensure that recourse is made available to these individuals.
“The nature and severity of losses and damages ought to be quantified and monetized to ensure compensation and assistance with adaptation funds. Provide full disclosure of funds received in line with Article 13 of the Paris Agreement. Revise its disaster response strategies to include localized emergency responses, evacuation procedures and mobile clinics. • Zimbabwe’s own national budget must also address loss and damage as well as climate change adaptation, especially for vulnerable communities,” read the statement
The consortium, comprising the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), Reyna Trust, Green Governance Zimbabwe Trust, and Advocates 4 Earth, remains committed to advocating for climate justice and sustainable solutions in Zimbabwe.
