Zimbabwe’s Parliament Speaker Jacob Mudenda has underscored the critical need for climate change legislation and the integration of AI technologies to address the severe impacts of climate change. This call follows the recent El Niño event, which has led to the worst drought in four decades across Southern Africa, severely affecting Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi.
At the Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum 2024, Mudenda emphasized the necessity of incorporating international climate agreements into national laws. He called for the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, and the Katowice Rule Book into domestic legislation. These laws should cover climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, financial mechanisms, and promote research into climate action technologies powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Mudenda pointed out that the negative effects of climate change are stalling global economic progress, including in Africa and Indonesia. He noted that several African nations, such as South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco, are already leveraging AI and data analytics to tackle climate challenges effectively.
Moreover, Mudenda highlighted the need for a coordinated global effort to support vulnerable countries and regions in adapting to climate impacts. He stressed that international cooperation and technology sharing are essential for developing sustainable solutions and achieving the ambitious targets set by African nations under their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement.
