The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) has urged the government to provide platforms for children to express their views on climate change and environmental rights.
In an interview with CITE, ZELA Project Officer Obert Bore said the government needed to develop legal frameworks and policies that consider children’s perspectives on climate change and environmental degradation.
ZELA, in collaboration with Terre Des Hommes, recently organised a session titled, “The Green Revolution: Nurturing Young Eco Entrepreneurs” at the ZITF Scholastica Expo 2024.
Bore explained, “As an organisation, we facilitate programs that connect children with community leaders through transformative dialogue approaches. This initiative aims to engage children in policy-making discussions, enabling their participation at various levels, from local to international.”
He continued, “For instance, through our efforts, children from across Africa contributed to the development of General Comment 26, an international soft law recognizing the impact of climate change on children and outlining states’ obligations to protect their rights under the UNCRC convention.”
Bore emphasised the need for children’s involvement in policy formulation, particularly in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), to ensure their concerns are adequately addressed in environmental management plans.
“At the policy level, including children in EIAs is crucial. Currently, these assessments often overlook the specific impacts on children. By incorporating children’s voices, companies conducting EIAs can develop plans that directly address their needs,” Bore stated.
He further explained, “ZELA has developed guidelines for companies conducting EIAs to ensure child-sensitive approaches are integrated into their assessments. This is essential, as effective environmental management plans must consider the welfare of children, as outlined in General Comment 26.”
Sithandweyinkosi Nkomo, MAPS, Environment and Climate Action Programme Coordinator for TDH Germany, Africa office acknowledged Zimbabwe’s robust environmental policies but emphasised the necessity for improved implementation.
“While Zimbabwe boasts solid policies and frameworks, implementation remains a significant challenge. The government needs to address this implementation gap to address environmental issues effectively,” Nkomo remarked.
