Environmental activists have argued that the government should strike a better balance between operational expenses and direct investments in climate action, citing concerns that the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife’s budget is heavily weighted toward operational costs, particularly rental and travel expenses, leaving little money for critical capital investments.
Such prioritisation would make sure a proactive environmental management strategy is implemented to handle growing climate problems and protect the country’s natural resources.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife was allocated ZiG 516.8 billion in the 2025 National Budget to implement adaptive measures aimed at reducing Zimbabwe’s vulnerability to climate change.
However, a detailed analysis of the budget has raised questions about the Ministry’s spending priorities, as 28 percent of the funds are set aside for operational expenses such as rental, hire, foreign travel allowances and domestic travel allowances.
This allocation has raised questions over whether these critical resources are effectively directed towards high-impact environmental or direct climate adaptation initiatives.
“While administrative expenses are necessary, the disproportionately high expenditure in these areas could detract from critical programmes and projects aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change,” reads part of a budget analysis.
Samson Matema, Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife Matema said looking at the programme allocations, the ministry’s budget is inadequate to address its broad mandate, especially in light of climate change and environmental degradation.
“The ministry requires substantial investment to effectively address climate change, environmental degradation and illegal resource exploitation. This excludes funding for mitigation and adaptation strategies as well as capacity building and technological advancement,” he said.
The chairperson noted there is little money left over for important capital investments because the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife is significantly reliant on operating costs, especially those related to rent and travel.
“This imbalance raises concerns about the ministry’s ability to prioritise high impact environmental initiatives such as conservation projects, climate adaptation programmes and infrastructure development,” said the portfolio chairperson.
In light of the concerns, the parliamentary committee recommended “advocating for increased funding for capital investments to make sure the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife can effectively fulfill its mandate and contribute to national climate resilience.”
Environmental activists also warned that the Ministry’s focus on operational costs leaves limited resources for capital investments in essential projects such as conservation efforts, climate adaptation programmes, infrastructure development and rehabilitation of catchment areas.
These initiatives, according to the environmentalists, are vital for building national climate resilience and addressing the growing environmental challenges Zimbabwe faces.
Environmental activist, Khumbulani Maphosa, called on the Ministry of Environment to address critical environmental issues such as catchment area management with greater urgency and focus.
“If you go to most of our rural areas, artisanal mining has damaged and destroyed most of the catchment areas. That is why right now the rains are falling but most of our dams not only in Bulawayo but also the dams in rural areas are not filling especially in the mining communities,” he said.
“So the ministry needs to be focusing on catchment management and catchment area rehabilitation.”
Maphosa also stressed on the need for an integrated approach to solid waste management.
“Secondly, the ministry of environment needs to be looking at how it promotes an integrated solid waste secular economy. The integrated secular waste economy will be talking about integrated solid waste management, the role of waste pickers into the secular economy and solid waste management of all local authorities especially urban authorities,” he said.
Furthermore, Maphosa urged the ministry to foster innovation in addressing climate change.
“Thirdly, the ministry of environment needs to be focusing on how it promotes innovation around climate change adaptation and climate change resilience. It must make sure that our climate adaptation strategies and climate change policies are actually literally being implemented,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s National Tree Ambassador, Never Bonde, also urged citizens to adopt environmentally friendly practices to combat the challenges posed by erratic weather patterns and deforestation that contribute to climate change.
“We are experiencing changing weather patterns and we are not receiving enough rainfall, which makes it even more critical to protect our environment,” Bonde said.
“We encourage people not to cut down trees but to plant more so we can safeguard the future for ourselves and the generations to come.”
Bonde expressed concern over the growing reliance on firewood due to electricity shortages, particularly in urban areas and among businesses such as ‘cookeries.’
“Many households are turning to firewood because of power shortages, which is putting a strain on our forests. We urge people to switch to environmentally friendly energy alternatives, like gas, to save our trees and protect the environment.”
Bonde also emphasised the importance of individual responsibility in tree planting and conservation.
“This is the season for planting trees, yet we are not receiving enough rain. We must urge everyone to take responsibility – plant trees, conserve them so that we save the future for tomorrow’s generations,” said the country’s tree ambassador.
