VICTORIA FALLS HAS LAUNCHED ITS FIRST-EVER SUSTAINABILITY MONOGRAPH

Victoria Falls has taken a monumental stride towards a greener future with the official launch of its first-ever Sustainability Monograph. This landmark document outlines a comprehensive framework for the city to achieve environmental sustainability and become a leading model for eco-friendly urban development in Zimbabwe. The initiative is a collaborative effort aimed at aligning local strategies with national and international environmental goals.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Washington Zhakata, Chief Director in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, highlighted the policy’s significance. He emphasized that the monograph is a direct response to Zimbabwe’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and its national target to reduce per capita emissions by 40% by 2030. This strategic alignment positions Victoria Falls at the forefront of the nation’s climate action efforts.

Victoria Falls Town Clerk, Mr. Ronnie Dube, underscored the tangible benefits the city and its residents stand to gain. He pointed out that the new framework will lead to improved service delivery, reduced operational costs, and the attraction of new investments. Furthermore, the push for a greener economy is expected to create new job opportunities for the local community, ensuring that the shift towards sustainability is also an engine for economic growth.

Environmental consultant Mr. Anglistone Sibanda added that a key outcome of the monograph will be the branding of Victoria Falls as a carbon-neutral destination. This designation is expected to attract a growing segment of environmentally conscious tourists, thereby boosting sustainable tourism and providing a competitive advantage on the global stage. The document supports the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which focuses on sustainable cities and communities.

Victoria Falls’s adoption of this progressive framework will position it to tap into lucrative global carbon markets, following the successful example of cities like Cape Town, which recently generated over 46 million Rand from carbon credits. Victoria Falls now stands as only the second city in Zimbabwe, after Bulawayo, to embrace such a forward-thinking policy, solidifying its role as a pioneer in environmental governance and sustainable urban development.