Published by the government of Zimbabwe
23 August 2007
Harare — THE impact of air pollution is one of the major environmental and social issues facing the country and the region, the Secretary for Environment and Tourism, Mrs Margaret Sangarwe, has said.
Air pollution has contributed significantly to global warming that had triggered climate change, she said at a stakeholders' workshop to discuss air pollution in Harare yesterday.
"Air pollution continues to have a negative impact on our health, ecosystems, biodiversity, crops, infrastructural materials and our cultural heritage.
"It therefore poses great challenges to our efforts to build sustainable communities," Mrs Sangarwe said.
The one-day workshop was organised by the Air Pollution Information Network for Africa.
The economic, political, environmental and social consequences of climate change, she said, were more pronounced with each new season.
Besides the humanitarian consequences of climate change, its economic consequences were disastrous on the continent where agriculture accounts for 70 percent of employment and was the engine of most African economies.
Mrs Sangarwe said the demand for economic and social development to meet the needs of Zimbabwe's growing population had brought with them new environmental challenges.
"Industrialisation and urbanisation have increased the demand for energy," she said.
Energy was essential to fuel industry and economic development, and was important for basic services such as domestic heating and lighting.
Fossils fuels such as coal, petroleum, and fuelwood emitted pollutants into the atmosphere, particularly greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide, sulphur oxide, that contributed to global warming.
In addition emissions from vehicles, bunker fuels within aircraft and ships were also contributing to air pollution and global warming worldwide.
Mrs Sangarwe hailed APINA, which in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme and others organised the "Better Air Quality in the Sub-Saharan Cities 2006 conference."
Ministers of environment from 30 countries met to deliberate on issues of air pollution in the region.
At this meeting the ministers discussed policy and strategic issues, institutional arrangements, capacity and implementation, public awareness, information and education as well as co-operation and partnerships required to tackle air pollution in the region.
They also resolved to lower sulphur levels in the fuel and to manage the quality of vehicles being imported into the region to control vehicular emissions.
Mrs Sangarwe said since the meeting in July last year, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi had also initiated discussions on the reduction of sulphur levels in both petrol and diesel, in addition to restricting the age limit of imported second-hand vehicles.
The three countries had also introduced catalytic converters and harmonisation standards with the support of the UNEP.
Mrs Sangarwe said the Government was investing in developing clean biofuels, such as jatropha.
Government, she said, would remain resolute that the challenges emanating from air pollution could be overcome if preventive measures and collaborative strategies were put in place.
"We are energised by your interest and participation in this multi-stakeholder platform to find collective solutions to the challenges brought about by air pollution and to influence national and regional policy formulation," she said.
Mrs Sangarwe added that the Government was committed to ensuring environmentally sustainable social and economic development.
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