Malawi Livestock Sector Steps Up Climate Accountability with GHG Training
Malawi’s carbon footprint is relatively small compared to its neighbors, but as its population grows, accurate GHG inventories for livestock are essential for informing the country’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and long-term strategies (LTS). With about 80% of rural livelihoods dependent on agriculture, identifying climate-resilient, low-emission livestock practices is crucial for sustainable economic development in Malawi.
From November 20-21, 2023, AfCAP hosted the Strengthening National Response to Climate Smart Livestock Workshop in Salima, Malawi. The workshop aimed to raise awareness and enhance understanding of GHG emissions in the livestock sector. Key issues identified included the need for broader stakeholder engagement and information on priority data gaps for Tier 2 assessments. In response, the Malawi Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development (DAHLD) and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUNAR) partnered with the Global Climate Action Partnership’s (GCAP) Climate Action Accelerator (CAA) to organize a 2-day virtual capacity-building workshop with stakeholders and local experts.
The workshop consisted of two virtual sessions held on September 3-4, 2024. The first session addressed livestock and climate change policies in relation to Malawi’s Tier 2 GHG inventory, featuring presentations from two government officials. This was followed by insights into Malawi’s Tier 1 and 2 GHG inventories, culminating in a discussion on data collection challenges and needs for the Tier 2 inventory.
The second session focused on improving inventory data and climate financing. It included a presentation on priority data collection needs for the Tier 2 inventory, as well as experiences from Kenya and Zimbabwe on leveraging climate finance for livestock MRV systems. The session concluded with a discussion where stakeholders proposed next steps for advancing Malawi’s livestock Tier 2 GHG inventory in future reporting cycles.
To read more about the outcomes and the next steps following this training download the report below: