Zimbabwe to mainstream and monitor biodiversity

Zimbabwe is set to mainstream and monitor biodiversity in an effort to realise the value and contribution of nature into development, African Wildlife Foundation's Country Director, Ms Olivia Mufute has noted.

Speaking during the inaugural Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy Report launch today, Mufute reiterates that the ZBE report creates a roadmap for Natural Capital Accounting and therefore essential in addressing challenges underpinning biodiversity loss countrywide.

"The roadmap for Natural Capital Accounting, illustrated in the report, provides a framework that would help Zimbabwe to mainstream the value and contribution of nature into development planning, policy development and decision-making on public and private investment," Mufute said.

"The ZBE Report's Investment Blueprint highlights opportunities and steps that government and stakeholders need to take to realise the potential of the country's biodiversity heritage.

"Indeed, the ZBE Report will play an important role in addressing challenges underpinning biodiversity loss in Zimbabwe and to position biodiversity economy as a key economic sector to invest in," Mufute remarks.

The ZBE Report is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11,12,13, 14 and 15 which speak to environmental protection and is also aligned to SDG 8 which speaks on economic growth.

Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Nairobi (Kenya), the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is a leading international conservation organisation focused exclusively on Africa, with direct operations in 10 countries and 17 landscapes.

The organisation's areas of focus include wildlife protection, conservation enterprise, conservation education and community development.