GABORONE, March 12 — Botswana aims to plant 150,000 new trees annually as part of the efforts to fulfill its global commitment made at the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, an official said. Botswana has identified the forestry sector as the springboard toward the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, Botswanan Minister of Environment and Tourism Dumezweni Mthimkhulu told the parliament Monday. “The forestry sector has been identified as key to providing a crucial capacity to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and help us avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis,” said Mthimkhulu.
As a contribution to combat climate change, Mthimkhulu said Botswana has pledged an annual target of 150,000 trees to drive the southern African country’s national tree planting program through afforestation, reforestation and restoration of the ecosystem. According to Mthimkhulu, at least 75,400 trees were planted as of January 2024 — the 2023/2024 financial year is from April 1 to March 31 — across the southern African country, which still generates electricity from its coal-fired Morupule A and B power stations in the central part of Botswana. Planting of trees addresses various environmental issues such as land degradation, and climate change as well as improving food security, he said, adding that his ministry would intensify campaigns to create awareness on climate change issues.
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