The National Climate Change Learning Strategy seeks to strengthen climate change education, learning and skills development in Zimbabwe. It will support implementation of the country’s emissions-reduction commitments under the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), strengthen climate change adaptation in line with the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and complement other relevant climate change policies, strategies, and plans. The Strategy also seeks to address gaps in climate change awareness, education, and learning across formal and informal learning platforms, expand learning opportunities, and ensure all relevant stakeholders have access to appropriate climate change knowledge and skills. The Strategy will guide the Government in strengthening capacity development at systemic, institutional and individual levels, with a focus on enhancing climate change knowledge, learning and skills development. Education is a critical instrument in the global response to climate change, as it enables people to understand climate-related challenges, make informed decisions, adopt sustainable attitudes and behaviours, and strengthen their capacity to adapt to climate-related shocks and long-term trends. The vision of Zimbabwe’s Climate Change Learning Strategy is to create a climate-literate, responsive and resilient nation by 2030. Its overall goal is to mainstream climate change education and learning into relevant social and economic development initiatives at national and sectoral levels through multi-stakeholder engagement, collaboration and participation. To achieve this goal, the Strategy sets out the following strategic objectives: (i) mainstream climate change education into curricula across all levels of the education system; (ii) develop tailored climate change teaching and learning resource materials for educators at all levels; (iii) strengthen the teaching and learning of climate change in both formal and non-formal education institutions; (iv) promote innovation and skills development in climate change mitigation and adaptation across all sectors of the economy; (v) mainstream gender equality and responsiveness into all climate change management interventions; (vi) strengthen collaboration among government institutions, research and extension services, civil society organisations, the private sector and farmers’ groups; (vii) enhance climate change knowledge and awareness across the agriculture, energy, education, environment and health sectors through participatory learning and information-sharing approaches; (viii) reduce the adverse impacts of climate change by strengthening adaptive capacity and building resilience across communities and sectors. The National Climate Change Learning Strategy identifies 5 priority sectors: energy, agriculture, environment, education and health. For each sector, the Strategy outlines targeted learning, awareness-raising, capacity-building and skills development interventions to strengthen climate change mitigation and adaptation. These interventions aim to enhance sectoral knowledge, promote the adoption of sustainable practices, strengthen institutional capacity and improve resilience to climate change impacts. (1) In the energy sector, the Strategy aims to strengthen knowledge and skills for low-carbon energy production and use through education and training. It promotes awareness of policies and regulatory frameworks supporting renewable energy, energy conservation and efficiency, while encouraging research and innovation in renewable energy technologies. The Strategy also seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial and household activities through demand-side management and energy-saving practices, while strengthening capacity in energy planning and modelling; (2) In the agriculture sector, the Strategy seeks to strengthen the capacity of farmers, researchers and extension workers to address climate change and variability through improved knowledge, technologies and agricultural support services. It promotes sustainable agricultural intensification and commercialisation through effective extension and advisory services. Collaboration among research institutions, industry, extension workers and farmers’ groups will be enhanced to improve early warning systems, seasonal forecasting and preparedness for droughts, floods, pests, diseases and other climate-related challenges. The Strategy also promotes climate-smart agricultural practices to improve productivity, food security and resilience across Zimbabwe’s farming communities; (3) In the environment sector, the Strategy aims to raise awareness of climate change, environmental conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. Climate change communication will incorporate indigenous knowledge systems and promote understanding of climate change causes, impacts and responses. The Strategy also encourages information-sharing and networking at local, regional and international levels, while strengthening stakeholders’ capacity to mobilise resources through the development of bankable proposals for climate change and environmental initiatives; (4) In the education sector, the Strategy seeks to strengthen climate change teaching and learning across all levels of formal and informal education. It emphasises the provision of relevant training, knowledge and learning resources for educators and practitioners in educational institutions and community-based organisations. These interventions aim to improve climate literacy and equip learners and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to support climate change mitigation and adaptation; (5) In the health sector, the Strategy focuses on strengthening the capacity to monitor and respond to climate-sensitive diseases and health risks associated with climate change. It promotes health education, early warning systems and preparedness for extreme weather events and disease outbreaks. The Strategy also encourages climate-resilient health investments and the use of weather-indexed insurance. Particular attention is given to understanding and addressing the impacts of climate change on women, children, young people and persons with disabilities to protect vulnerable groups and strengthen their resilience.
Зимбабве · 2020-12-30