Parliament must enact tougher green laws – Deputy Senate President
By Delisa Magagula
Eswatini joined the rest of the globe in commemorating World Ozone Day, with national leaders calling for deeper commitments to environmental protection and sustainable development.
Speaking during the observance, Deputy Senate President Ndumiso Mdluli emphasized the role of Parliament in driving environmental reforms and highlighted on-going legislative efforts aimed at safeguarding the ozone layer and broader ecosystems.
World Ozone Day is marked annually on September 16 to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, a landmark global agreement that successfully curbed the production and use of ozone-depleting substances.
The theme for this year underscores the need to ‘restore the ozone layer while combating climate change,’ a dual responsibility that resonates strongly in Eswatini’s developmental agenda.
Deputy Senate President Mdluli reminded citizens that Parliament is more than just a law-making body it is a guardian of public welfare and a platform for shaping long-term national priorities.
“The environment is not an afterthought in our legislative programme. We are working to ensure that bills and policies passed in Parliament address today’s environmental challenges while securing resources for future generations,” he said.
He noted that several bills are currently under review, with the goal of strengthening Eswatini’s regulatory framework.
Among them are laws addressing climate change mitigation, pollution control, and sustainable natural resource management.
These efforts, Mdluli said, are aligned with international conventions and regional protocols to which Eswatini is a signatory.
The Deputy Senate President stressed that Parliament has a duty to ensure that environmental issues are mainstreamed into all areas of policy, from industrial development to agriculture and urban planning.
“Without deliberate legislative action, our commitments under global agreements would remain words on paper. Parliament must transform them into binding obligations that guide how we manage land, water, forests, and the air we breathe,” he said.
Eswatini, like many other developing nations, is facing the combined pressures of ozone depletion and climate change.
Scientists have long warned that while the Montreal Protocol has been successful in reducing ozone-depleting chemicals, global warming poses new threats that could undermine progress.
Mdluli pointed out that ozone protection and climate resilience are interconnected. Many substances phased out under the Montreal Protocol were also potent greenhouse gases.
Their elimination not only repaired the ozone layer but also helped reduce emissions that drive climate change.
“By commemorating World Ozone Day, we are reminded that global cooperation works. The Montreal Protocol is proof that multilateral action delivers results. It should inspire us in Parliament to champion stronger national laws that uphold our part in protecting the planet,” he said.
During his remarks, the Deputy Senate President cited several bills under consideration, which seeks to harmonize Eswatini’s fragmented environmental laws under a single comprehensive framework.
Worth noting is that, another key piece of legislation is the Climate Change Bill, which will establish guidelines for reducing emissions, promoting renewable energy, and strengthening adaptation measures.
“These bills are designed not only to meet our international obligations but also to address our domestic realities,” Mdluli explained.
“Communities in Eswatini are already experiencing the effects of climate variability droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns. The law must provide solutions that are practical and responsive to these challenges,” he added.
Mdluli also stressed that the responsibility for protecting the environment does not rest solely with government or Parliament.
He called upon the private sector, civil society, and citizens to embrace sustainable practices. From reducing plastic waste to conserving forests, he said, individual actions collectively shape national outcomes.
“Our greatest achievement will be when protecting the ozone layer and our environment becomes second nature to every Liswati,” he said.
As Eswatini commemorates World Ozone Day, the country stands at an important juncture. With Parliament shaping a new generation of environmental legislation, the opportunity exists to embed sustainability into the very fabric of national development.
Deputy Senate President Mdluli closed his remarks by urging all stakeholders to work together to ensure that Eswatini not only meets its international commitments but also secures a safe and healthy environment for generations to come.
“The ozone layer is healing because nations acted together. Let that be our lesson: unity and action bring results,” he said.
World Ozone Day thus served not only as a reminder of past successes but also as a call to action for present and future challenges. For Eswatini, it was a moment to reaffirm its commitment to environmental stewardship, with Parliament playing a central role in shaping the laws that will protect the nation’s natural heritage.