Zimbabwe launches biodiversity report

Harare (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economic (ZBE) report is critical as it recognizes the key role of nature in Zimbabwe’s economic development and will therefore provide a foundation to harness opportunities and long-term growth of a biodiversity economy, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Tariro Musonza made the remarks while officially launching the ZBE report in Harare.

The Ministry, with support from the African Wildlife Foundation, commissioned a National Biodiversity Economy study on the 15th of June 2021 to provide insight on the contribution of biodiversity to the economy of Zimbabwe and inform a planning framework for natural capital accounting.

The study was necessitated by the need to increase understanding of the contribution of biodiversity to economic development of the country and subsequently inform investments into the biodiversity economy.

Musonza thanked the participation of all stakeholders as it was important to the success of gathering required information.

“Your presence here is testimony of your commitment to the work we carried out and future work on the biodiversity economy. The biodiversity economy will play a major role in achieving the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the realization of Vision 2030 of becoming an empowered and prosperous upper-middle income country,” she said.

She added that the country was rich in biodiversity in its varied landscapes and aquatic ecosystems, and also boasts of an extensive protected areas network.

“These areas have significantly contributed to the safeguarding of biodiversity. Subsequently these areas have generated revenue through nature-based tourism. Protected areas have also contributed to global goals such as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by increasing area under protection, and those under the Paris Agreement through carbon sequestration,” Musonza said.

She said indications in the ZBE Report are that the protected areas have the potential to grow in terms of revenue that can be realized.

“Government is thus in the process of adding new areas to the network as guided by the recently adopted Global Biodiversity Framework. There is, however, a challenge of financing the management and maintenance of protected areas. The Ministry will thus continue to lobby and engage locally and internationally for more financial support.”

But she warned that biodiversity is under threat from various drivers that include over-exploitation, land use change, pollution and invasive alien species.

She added that while the actual value of biodiversity in socio-economic development is largely unknown, the ZBE Report provides a potent tool for advocating the mainstreaming of biodiversity in all sectors as well as allocation of adequate resources for conservation.

African Wildlife Foundation country director Olivia Mufute lauded Zimbabwe for launching the report which not only sets a baseline on the value and contribution of nature, but also identifies viable business and investment opportunities through which Zimbabwe can unlock the enormous potential value in its rich biodiversity.

“I am overwhelmed with excitement as I stand in front of all gathered here to witness the launch of the first ever Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy Report. As AWF Zimbabwe, we are optimistic that the ZBE report is a huge milestone for Zimbabwe towards economic development that is consistent with sustainability objectives of social well-being, environmental health and equitable economy.

“The roadmap for Natural Capital Accounting, illustrated in the report, provides a framework that would help Zimbabwe to mainstream the value and contribution of nature into development planning, policy development and decision-making on public and private investment,” she said.

New Ziana