NGO petitions govt on climate change, environment justice and water

Trisa Ray Sibanda

Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights has petitioned government on climate change, environmental justice and water.

Among its submissions for the 2023 National Budget, the non-governmental organisation urged the government to introduce incentives for the importation and usage of hybrid vehicles in Zimbabwe as a climate mitigation strategy. 

“Such measures may include reduction of duty for importing hybrid motor vehicles and free or subsidized battery servicing for hybrid motor vehicles,” it said.

MIHR posited that there was need to fund the establishment of environmental courts and the effective operations of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). 

“The budget should support local authorities with funding to construct standard landfills as well as to develop and implement a national electronic and electric waste policy (National E-Waste Policy) considering the time of the 4th Industrial Revolution we are in,” MIHR added.

The NGO advised government to promote  green economic development and ecosystem based adaptation in the 2023 budget

  Turning to water and sanitation, the MIHR urged government to improve water safety especially in rural areas. After applauding government efforts in drilling boreholes through the NDS1, the MIHR noted that borehole water was unsafe and salty and called for authorities to upgrade the boreholes by incorporating solar energy and inline chlorination systems.

“Water safety is a right guaranteed by the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” said the MIHR.