Africa-Press – Botswana. Stakeholders who attended the just ended Climate Mobility Deep Dive consultative workshop have been implored to come up with innovative solutions and strategic actions aimed at protecting communities and enhancing sustainable development.
Climate Mobility Deep Dive is a partnership between the Ministry of Environment and Truism and the Global Centre for Climate Change (GCCM), which aims to build knowledge and develop a policy blueprint to anticipate and plan for climate mobility in Botswana, focusing on how climate impacts drive internal and cross- border movement.
The meeting attracted researchers, climate and environmental experts, water experts, urban and territorial planning experts, policy makers, local authorities as well as the youth, climate activists private sector and journalists.
Deputy District Commissioner, Mr Ramogaupi Gaborekwe said it was imperative that stakeholders acknowledge challenges that climate change presents to mobility in the district and beyond hence their discussion should focus on identifying vulnerabilities, exploring adaptive solutions and enhancing resilience for the district.
He encouraged all to actively engage in the dialogue and share their valuable perspectives and expertise, noting that together they could create pathways to a sustainable and climate-resilient future for Botswana.
“We are privileged to have representatives from GCCM who have partnered with the ministry to carry out the exercise and provide the technical and financial support for climate action and sustainable mobility solutions,” he added.
Mr Gaborekwe highlighted the importance of forging partnerships, sharing insights and shaping the development of actionable strategies to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate-induced mobility issues.
He said a critical component of discussion and strategies should also revolve around the involvement of the local communities, noting that their active participation is vital for the successful implementation of sustainable and effective climate mobility solutions.
He said communities possessed invaluable knowledge and insights about local challenges and opportunities, indicating that their engagement would ensure that the solutions the stakeholders devise are culturally relevant, inclusive and practical.
“Collaboration with community members enables us to tap into grassroots innovation, foster local ownership and strengthen resilience on the ground and I encourage all to contribute their ideas, voices and commitment to this cause, recognising that together we can drive meaningful change and build a sustainable future fir all,” highlighted Mr Gaborekwe.
The workshop was part of stage two of the Climate Mobility Deep Dive, which aims to verify and validate country-specific climate mobility projections through a blend of technical expertise and local insights.
Beyond mere validation, it fosters a sense of ownership among stakeholders, facilitating consensus building on the prevailing climate mobility challenges and opportunities, as well as laying the groundwork for unified collective action. Deputy managing director of GCCM, Ms Sarah Rosengaertner, said the workshop aimed to explore projected climate mobility trends and hotspots with local stakeholders and to discuss implications for climate adaptation planning and action.
She she said was to harness insights into climate mobility dynamics to anticipate and support adaptation needs in vulnerable communities that are projected to see population losses and in population centres where future demographic growth could lead to both challenges and opportunities for climate-resilient development.
Knowledge associate from GCCM, Mr Lukmon Akintola, said Botswana needs to prepare for multiple hazards, citing a likelihood of climate hazard occurrence across the country.
“More people are projected to come to Botswana than leave the country. Cross-border climate mobility is projected to be low and the main country of origin for climate mobility into Botswana is Zimbabwe,” he said.
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