09 Mar 2025

Jwaneng District Commissioner, Mr Goleba Kgari has underscored the need for stakeholders to collaborate in devising sustainable solutions to address mobility of farmers caused by climate change.

“It is imperative that we acknowledge the challenges that climate change presents to mobility in our district and beyond. Our discussions will pave the way for innovative solutions and strategic actions aimed at protecting our communities and enhancing sustainable development,” Mr Kgari said during the Botswana Climate Mobility Deep Dive consultation workshop in Jwaneng recently.

Held as a collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Global Centre for Climate Mobility, the workshop aimed at establishing possible climate mobility trends and future projections, and subsequently contributing toward planning for the needed resilient adaptation mechanisms.

The District Commissioner appreciated the role played by farmers in growing the economy and contributing towards the country’s food security aspirations. Mr Kgari therefore noted that the workshop would help to come up with solutions that could protect the communities from the climate change effects.

Additionally, he highlighted that the active participation of communities was important in formulating actions and solutions geared toward addressing climate mobility, considering their understanding of the challenges and possible solutions which were aligned with indigenous knowledge and cultural practices.

“Collaborations with members of communities enables us to tap into grassroots innovation, foster local ownership and strengthen resilience on the ground. We encourage everyone to contribute their voices, ideas, commitment to the course, recognising that together we can drive meaningful change and build a sustainable future for all,” he noted.

The District Commissioner appreciated the contribution of the Global Centre for Climate Mobility as a strategic partner in fostering innovative solutions to address climate mobility among the local communities. He noted that their contribution would assist in formulating resilient solutions.

Global Centre for Climate Mobility deputy managing director, Ms Sarah Rosengaertner said in addition to exploring the impacts of climate change mobility patterns, the initiative intended to assist the migration recipient, urban areas, to prepare for the new developments. She said it was important for stakeholders to plan for future strategies to address issues emanating from climate mobility.

“We aim to look at what is possible in the future and then what we need to do today to shape the future we would like to see ideally,” she explained. ENDS