The Feasibility of Carbon Credits in Zimbabwe as a Climate Change Mitigation Measure

Abstract

The paper examines the feasibility of using carbon credits as a climate change mitigation measure in Zimbabwe. It reviews the country's climate change vulnerabilities, greenhouse gas emissions profile, climate change policies, and its carbon market readiness. The study undertakes a comprehensive literature review covering climate impacts, policy commitments, project implementation, carbon market opportunities, and climate justice perspectives in the Zimbabwean context. The analysis finds that while Zimbabwe has made important progress on climate adaptation and mitigation policies, significant gaps remain in key areas required for effective participation in carbon markets.

These gaps include institutional capacity, access to finance, technology transfer, and knowledge systems. The paper highlights several challenges: data deficiencies, poor institutional coordination, limited climate finance, lack of awareness, and insufficient technical expertise in carbon project development and measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems. A raft of recommendations include developing pilot programs across priority sectors to test methodologies and clarify carbon rights, investing in robust MRV systems, establishing clear sustainable development criteria for mitigation actions, facilitating knowledge exchange with regional partners, strengthening institutional coordination mechanisms, and increasing national and international climate finance flows.

By implementing these recommendations, the author argues that Zimbabwe can enhance its climate resilience while promoting low-emissions growth and sustainable development through participation in carbon markets. The findings and proposed actions offer valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working on climate change mitigation in Zimbabwe and other developing countries facing similar challenges. Overall, the study underscores the need for a multipronged approach that addresses Zimbabwe's technical, financial, and institutional capacity gaps to unlock the potential of carbon markets as a climate change mitigation measure. With targeted investments and a solid national commitment supported by robust policies and increased international support, Zimbabwe can position itself to realize the climate change benefits of carbon finance.