THEME: CLIMATE CHANGE, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION: THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS

“TOWARDS IMPLEMENTING THE PARIS DECLARATION AND THE KATOWICE ROADMAP”

SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM SECRETARIAT

MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

15 - 26 JULY 2019

CLIMATE CHANGE, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION: THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS " Towards implementing the Paris Declaration and the Katowice Roadmap "

I. BACKGROUND

1. As we approach the third decade of the new millennium, the SADC region is found to be facing multiple challenges on different fronts, one more daunting than the other. On the one hand, worldwide economic regression has heralded a change in international cash flows towards the SADC region and spiralled down inward investment, while on the other hand, human and social development issues such as unemployment, low quality of life, lack of access to sanitation and infringement of SRH rights continue to undermine socio-economic empowerment for the SADC citizenry. Whereas these pressing challenges beep on the radar, it is legitimate for actions of national Parliaments and Governments to be geared towards addressing and resolving those concerns as immediate priorities. Nonetheless, the SADC region is still facing another silent threat which is more pernicious and long-lasting, and yet invisible to the common eye: climate change. Climate change is no longer a myth but is a stark reality for all SADC Member States, and it may bring unprecedented devastation to the region unless promptly addressed by both national Parliaments and Governments alike.