Malawi in global climate change initiative

Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana have been identified as pilot countries to host sites for woodlands in a quest aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

Globally, approximately 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions result from deforestation and forest degradation. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is central to the climate change initiatives in the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC).   

Making a presentation on development of integrated Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) at the Conference of Parties (CoP) side event in Doha, Qatar, director of Forestry Dr. Dennis Kayambazinthu said the project will ensure continuous forest cover for carbon conservation and protection of biodiversity and watershed.

“Malawi is ready and feels privileged to pilot MRV,” said Kayambazinthu. He said the project will help in sustainable forest management.

“Malawi loses approximately 50 000 hectares of forest each year due to population increase, wood fuel demands and market and policy failures,” he said.

Dr David Lesolle of the University of Botswana said the MRV pilot project in Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana has brought innovation to the CoP 18 being held at the Qatar Convention Centre.