» Malawians urged to explore carbon trading

The Environmental Affairs Department (EAD) states that carbon markets and carbon trading present both an opportunity and a responsibility for Malawi to contribute to mitigation actions for climate change. The Department’s Director of Natural Resources, Tawonga Mbale-Luka, says properly designed and governed, carbon trading can help mobilise much-needed finance for conservation, restoration, clean energy, and climate-smart livelihoods. Speaking at a Carbon Trading Media Orientation Workshop, Mbale Luka added that it can also contribute to the achievement of Malawi’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and long-term climate-resilient and low-carbon development strategies. “Malawi is among the countries that are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. We are experiencing increased frequency and intensity of floods, droughts, and extreme weather events, which continue to threaten livelihoods, food security, infrastructure, ecosystems, and our national development aspirations. “At the same time, Malawi possesses significant natural assets such as forests, agricultural landscapes, wetlands and renewable energy potential that can contribute meaningfully to global climate mitigation efforts while generating development benefits for our people,” she said. She acknowledged that carbon markets are complex, as they involve a range of scientific and technical methodologies, evolving international rules, community engagement, procedures, and safeguards to ensure environmental integrity and social equity, among other considerations, hence the need for media orientation. “Without a clear understanding and accurate information, there is a risk of misinformation, unrealistic expectations, and even exploitation of communities. This is why your role as journalists is absolutely critical. You are not only messengers of information, but also shapers of public understanding, accountability, informed debate, and participation,” she said. The Regional Climate Resilience Program (RCRP-2) is supporting the EAD strengthennational Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems to facilitate Malawi’s access to climate finance. According to Chief Environmental Planning Officer Boniface Chimwaza, the successful implementation of this subcomponent will make a significant contribution to building climate resilience at national and local levels through several interrelated pathways. “Enhanced MRV capacity will improve Malawi’s ability to generate, account for, and monetise verified emission reductions, thereby increasing potential revenues from carbon trading. The Government will make deliberate efforts to channel such revenues towards adaptation-relevant sectors, in line with national priorities outlined in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the NDCs. “Also, a strengthened MRV system will support the development of high-integrity carbon and nature-based projects that deliver measurable ecosystem and livelihood co-benefits. These co-benefits, including improved ecosystem services, diversified livelihoods, and increased income security for vulnerable communities, are critical for enhancing both ecosystem resilience and community adaptive capacity,” he said.