Climate Newsroom

Climate Newsroom

5/21/2025, 4:11:43 AM

The SADC TFCAs International Conference and Summit, which began on Monday, marks a significant milestone in celebrating 25 years of the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Programme. The event focuses on five core objectives. One key objective is securing strong political commitment at the highest level, enabling member states to effectively deliver on the TFCA mandate. Another is the celebration of achievements in regional cooperation, conservation, and sustainable development over the past 25 years. The Summit also highlights the need for a renewed commitment to fully implement the TFCA programme, covering 13 established TFCAs. A further objective calls for enhanced support and collaboration from partners, recognizing their critical role in sustaining progress. Lastly, there is strong emphasis on ensuring that the benefits of TFCAs extend to local communities, promoting inclusivity, integration, and long-term sustainability. This holistic approach ensures that no one is left behind in advancing conservation and regional development. #SADC #TFCAs #Conservation #RegionalIntegration #SustainableDevelopment #InclusiveGrowth #TFCA25 #TFCA2025

Climate Newsroom

5/20/2025, 6:34:23 AM

There can be no true conservation without the active leadership of local communities Local communities must be placed at the heart of global conservation efforts to ensure long-term success and sustainability, Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, Ambassador Tadeous Chifamba, said on Monday. During the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) in Harare running under the theme: TFCAs 25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development, the Permanent Secretary warned that sidelining indigenous voices risks undermining decades of ecological stewardship. “Our TFCAs will serve no purpose if they do not prioritise the well-being and livelihoods of local communities,” he said. The SADC TFCA programme, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, seeks to manage natural resources that span across borders collaboratively. The Permanent Secretary stressed that these shared landscapes can only be conserved effectively if local populations are actively involved and derive tangible benefits. Read More ⤵️ https://climatenewsroom.co.zw/there-can-be-no-true-conservation-without-the-active-leadership-of-local-communities/

Climate Newsroom

5/23/2025, 4:59:13 AM

Wildlife conservation is critical, not only for ecosystems but also for livelihoods of communities through tourism and conservation-driven industries The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has reaffirmed its commitment to wildlife conservation as a critical pillar of both environmental sustainability and economic development. This came at the biennial meeting of SADC ministers responsible for Environment, Natural Resources, and Tourism, held to assess progress on implementing key regional initiatives. This year’s session coincided with the celebration of 25 years of transfrontier conservation cooperation in southern Africa. SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi underscored the dual importance of conservation. He said Wildlife conservation is essential not only for maintaining healthy ecosystems but also for supporting local communities economically through tourism and related industries. “Wildlife conservation is critical, not only for ecosystems but also for livelihoods of communities through tourism and conservation-driven industries,” Magosi said. Read More ⤵️ https://climatenewsroom.co.zw/wildlife-conservation-is-critical-not-only-for-ecosystems-but-also-for-livelihoods-of-communities-through-tourism-and-conservation-driven-industries/

Climate Newsroom

5/22/2025, 7:24:57 PM

Tackling conservation challenges across borders in Southern Africa: Conservation is no longer a local issue. It’s a global responsibility and the time to act is now. This week, at the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) International Conference and Summit in Harare, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, Director General of Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), outline some of the most pressing challenges facing our region’s shared natural heritage. From climate change to human-wildlife conflict and funding constraints, the threats to Transfrontier Parks are complex and growing. “Changing climate then brings in a lot of these other issues to do with droughts, hurricanes which is more now.” "Southern Africa is the largest population, a concentration of elephants. So what does that mean? It means that the space is competing, we are competing humans and animals for space which is a negative impact. One of the most powerful messages was around transboundary collaboration. Zimbabwe alone is part of 60 transfrontier conservation areas, which allow for species migration, joint anti-poaching initiatives, and shared ecosystem management. But this vision cannot be realized without international financial support, capacity building, and strong partnerships. “As much as our governments are doing so much, there are still gaps that we see in terms of financing. Hence the international partners come and play and close that gap to some extent which is quite commendable,” Prof. Gandiwa said. #Conservation #Sustainability #ClimateChange #Wildlife #Funding #TFCA #Zimbabwe #SADC #Biodiversity #Partnerships #Africa

Climate Newsroom

5/19/2025, 8:11:52 AM

Regional leaders gather in Harare as SADC TFCA summit begins Southern African leaders and conservation experts gathered in Harare on Monday for the opening of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) International Conference and Summit of Heads of State and Government. The five-day event marks 25 years of regional cooperation under the theme “Transfrontier Conservation Areas—25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development.” Backed by key development partners including the European Union and Germany, the summit aims to reaffirm SADC’s commitment to biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and transboundary environmental collaboration. “The region has made significant progress in wildlife protection, investment in conservation economies and community engagement. This summit will further unlock investment opportunities in sustainable wildlife economies and ensure rural communities benefit from conservation efforts,” the SADC Secretariat said in a statement. The conference is expected to strengthen political will through the signing of binding agreements to advance TFCA development across the region. SADC’s 18 TFCAs covers over 1 million square kilometres and connects ecosystems across 16 member states. Germany has invested over 270 million euros in TFCA projects over the past quarter century through the SADC TFCA Financing Facility and the Legacy Landscape Fund. Meanwhile, the EU recently launched its NaturAfrica Global Gateway initiative, allocating 33 million euros to support conservation and community development efforts. The Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), one of the world’s largest, is highlighted for initiatives such as the KAZA UniVisa, which facilitates cross-border tourism between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The event aligns with global environmental targets, including the Global Biodiversity Framework agreed at COP15 in 2022, which aims to conserve 30% of the world’s land and marine areas by 2030. The conference is hosted by the Zimbabwean government in collaboration with ZimParks and supported by international conservation groups including IUCN, WWF, Peace Parks Foundation and others.

Climate Newsroom

5/22/2025, 7:43:34 PM

SADC has called for intensified conservation efforts to drive regional integration, sustainability, and peace. At the Ministerial Meeting in Harare, leaders celebrated 25 years of the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Programme—an initiative that has transformed how shared natural resources are managed across borders, creating jobs, strengthening food security, and enhancing livelihoods. Zimbabwe also reaffirmed its global conservation commitment by signing the Raptors MOU, aligning with the Convention on Migratory Species. This reinforces the country’s Vision 2030 goals of inclusive growth, innovation, and environmental stewardship. #SADC #TFCAs #Conservation #Biodiversity #Vision2030 #RegionalIntegration

Climate Newsroom

6/3/2025, 3:35:57 PM

Zimbabwe to cull 50 elephants as population exceeds habitat capacity Zimbabwe has issued permits for the culling of elephants in the Save Valley Conservancy, where the population has surged to more than three times the area's ecological carrying capacity, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) said on Tuesday. The initial culling operation will target 50 elephants. The move is part of an elephant management programme aimed at addressing overpopulation and its impact on the environment. “The management quota is meant to address the growing elephant population in the region and will initially target 50 elephants,”said ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo. A 2024 aerial survey revealed that 2,550 elephants inhabit the conservancy, far above its estimated sustainable capacity of 800 elephants. “In the past five years, 200 elephants were translocated to other protected areas, but the population continues to rise,” Farawo said. Meat from the culled elephants will be distributed to local communities, while ivory will remain state property and be held in ZimParks custody. “Elephant meat from the management exercise will be distributed to local communities while ivory will be State property that will be handed over to the ZimParks for safekeeping.” Zimbabwe has previously defended elephant culling and ivory stockpiling as necessary tools for wildlife management, particularly amid funding shortages. Conservationists, however, have raised ethical concerns over the practice. ZimParks however emphasized its commitment to “responsible sustainable management of wildlife resources for the benefit of present and future generations.”

Climate Newsroom

5/19/2025, 10:29:01 AM

#TFCASummit "All are community driven,they tell us what they need"-Ms Sue Gistley-Wilderness Zambezi, Ngamo Farm Project. TFCAS enabling improved rural livelihoods: How can TFCAs support biodiversity and increase socio-economic benefits to rural communities. #SADC #ConservationAfrica #KAZA

Climate Newsroom

5/16/2025, 4:40:27 AM

Youth-Led tree therapy initiative tackles mental health challenges in Kuwadzana By Princess Mharire In the densely populated suburb of Kuwadzana, where green spaces are scarce and mental health services limited, a youth-led initiative is turning to nature to address rising levels of anxiety and depression. Launched in 2020, the Greening Kuwadzana Project seeks to improve mental well-being through community-driven tree care and environmental activities. Central to the project is the Tree Care Therapy for Mental Health programme, which combines tree planting with art therapy, music, sports, and educational workshops aimed at creating safe and supportive spaces, particularly for young people. Tafadzwa Gwini, founder of the Greening Kuwadzana Project, said the initiative combines eco-therapy with self-care, noting that by giving back to the Earth, individuals also support their own healing. Read more ⤵️ https://climatenewsroom.co.zw/youth-led-tree-therapy-initiative-tackles-mental-health-challenges-in-kuwadzana/ Join our channel ⤵️ https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vae5HJj17En1T4POuR03 Join our WhatsApp Group ⤵️ https://chat.whatsapp.com/GVMY84XD3EGKhlDdVqgXNg