John Cassim
Harare, Zimbabwe (CZ) – Biodiversity and associated ecosystems play a key role in the socio-economic development of the country. However, biodiversity is under threat from various drivers that include overexploitation, land use change, pollution and invasive alien species.
The actual value of biodiversity in socio-economic development is largely unknown. The ZBE Report provides us with a potent tool for advocating the mainstreaming of biodiversity in all sectors as well as allocation of adequate resources for conservation.
The Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy (ZBE) Report which was launched on Wednesday 13 September, has therefore focused on the following subsectors – Bioprospecting and biotrade, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife.
The main objective of the report is to ensure that the value of biodiversity is recognised and help with the planning of national accounts for sustainable social and economic development.
This the first report of such nature in Zimbabwe as the Southern African nation begin make strides towards self green financing in the absence of the global Climate Change pledge of US$ 100 billion per year for the continent.
African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) partnered with the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry to produce the Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy Report.
Africa emits the least amount of green house gases, yet it’s the hardest hit by climatic shocks.
Here is what government officials and key partners said during the launch of the Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy Report this week.