Government plans massive GHG reduction

By Delisa Magagula

Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has called for accelerated national action on climate resilience as Eswatini moves to implement its strengthened pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.24 million tonnes by 2035.

The Prime Minister delivered the message during the 2025 Temvelo Awards ceremony held at the Royal Swazi Spa, where he urged government institutions, the private sector, development partners and communities to support the Kingdom’s transition toward a more sustainable and climate-secure economy.

Dlamini described Eswatini’s updated climate commitments as a deliberate shift from broad environmental awareness to measurable implementation.

He stated that the country’s participation in multilateral environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, is tied to a national obligation to protect ecosystems and preserve the Kingdom’s biodiversity.

“Eswatini is entering a critical phase in its environmental response, one defined by reforms such as the new Ozone Depleting Substances and Hydrofluorocarbons Regulations of 2025 and improvements in meteorological capacity and early detection systems,” said the Priemer.

The Prime Minister further highlighted Eswatini’s status among the first ten countries globally to submit a new round of climate pledges under the Paris Agreement, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0.

He said the submission reflected a readiness to move beyond commitments on paper and into concrete action. Noteworthy Eswatini’s updated NDC outlines sector-wide mitigation measures across energy, waste, industry and land use, combined with adaptation plans covering water security, health systems, ecosystems, and infrastructure protection.

“Under the 2035 target, the government intends to cut 2.24 million tonnes of greenhouse gases relative to projected emissions. A portion of this reduction will be achieved through domestic resources, while the balance is conditional on international support through climate finance, technology transfer and capacity-building,” he said.

In addition, he said, the NDC places emphasis on strengthening renewable-energy adoption, scaling up clean-cooking solutions, restoring degraded land and expanding afforestation efforts, alongside improvements in agricultural practices and waste-management systems.

Worth noting, Eswatini’s new climate plan was developed through a nationwide consultative process led by the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs.

Stakeholders included government agencies, municipalities, private-sector representatives, non-governmental organisations, youth groups and community structures.

The document aligns climate actions with national development priorities and introduces mechanisms for improved financial tracking, including climate-budget tagging and potential use of green-financing instruments.

According to the NDC, the country intends to limit climate-related economic losses, strengthen early-warning systems and ensure the continued operation of health facilities during climate shocks.

It also sets long-term objectives to restore degraded ecosystems, secure water sources, reinforce infrastructure and expand access to sustainable energy.

Meanwhile, Dlamini said the Temvelo Awards illustrate the level of innovation and community participation required to fulfil these national goals.

He recognised the award recipients for their environmental stewardship, stating that their work demonstrates what is possible when institutions and individuals adopt sustainable practices.

The 2025 ceremony recognised a range of winners across multiple categories, including the Municipal Council of Mbabane as Green Municipality, Swazi Organics as Green Business in the SME segment, Malandela’s Lifestyle Centre as the leading Large Business, and Olive Country Lodge in the Sustainable Eco-Tourism category.

Additional awards went to Enhlanhleni Methodist Primary School as Green Primary School, Motjane Inkhundla as Green Inkhundla and Sibusiso Dlamini as Environmentally Responsive Journalist.

Other categories included Environmentally Responsive Digital Media House, Climate Change Champion (Group and Individual), Young Eco-Hero, 

Innovative Waste Management, UNDP SDG recognition for the most inclusive institution, Ecosystem Restoration Hero, the FNB Sustainable Manufacturing Industry Award, Green High School, Green Parastatal and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

While the Temvelo Awards focused on national achievements, Eswatini’s climate ambitions form part of a broader global landscape in which many countries have begun setting 2035 targets.

A number of early submitters in the 2025 NDC cycle have outlined comparable or more aggressive goals. Among them is Brazil, which announced a target to cut emissions by 59 to 67 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035.

The United Kingdom adopted a statutory goal to reduce emissions by at least 81 per cent by the same year, and New Zealand reaffirmed its pathway toward a 51 to 55 per cent reduction below 2005 levels by 2035. The United Arab Emirates also set a 2035 emissions target, committing to reduce its emissions by 47 per cent relative to 2019 levels.

These developments illustrate the growing use of 2035 as a benchmark year for global climate planning under the Paris Agreement, following the initial focus on 2030.

For many countries, including Eswatini, 2035 targets offer a medium-term horizon that allows governments to integrate new technologies, adopt climate-finance mechanisms and align environmental policies with economic-development strategies.

According to the PM, Eswatini’s progress will depend on how successfully the country mobilises domestic and international support for its mitigation and adaptation measures.

The government has already outlined plans to expand renewable-energy capacity, improve climate-risk governance and scale up land-restoration projects. The extent of international climate finance, however, will play a key role in determining whether the full target can be achieved.

Meanwhile, many developing countries face similar constraints and have tied a portion of their targets to global partnerships through institutions such as the Green Climate Fund, regional development banks and bilateral cooperation programmes.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need for each sector of society to assume responsibility for advancing the Kingdom’s environmental agenda.

He said future progress will depend on collaboration among regulators, industries, farmers, community organisations and the media. He added that environmental protection cannot be limited to policies and legislation, but must be reflected in everyday practices, investment decisions and long-term planning across the economy.

Dlamini concluded by reaffirming that the Temvelo Awards represent a national call to shift from intention to measurable impact.

He said the recognition given to institutions and individuals across this year’s categories reflects the type of innovation and commitment required as Eswatini moves to implement its 2035 climate target.