New York – His Majesty King Mswati III has announced that Eswatini will reduce 2.24 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, unveiling a comprehensive plan that requires an estimated E43 billion to achieve. The declaration was made on Wednesday in New York during a high level climate change event held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
The King revealed that Eswatini is among the first 10 countries globally to submit its Paris Agreement compliant NDC 3.0 plan to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The document, developed with support from the local UN office and partners, sets out programmes, financing needs and implementation strategies to reach the ambitious target.
Although Eswatini’s emissions are low compared to industrialised nations, His Majesty said the Kingdom is determined to play its part in protecting the planet. He described the submission of NDC 3.0 as a milestone, noting that it was shaped through inclusive consultations, locally driven data, and lessons drawn from the previous NDC 2.0. The new plan is aligned with the 2023 to 2028 National Development Plan and the long term Low Emissions Development Strategy.
The King recalled that NDC 2.0 had aimed to mobilise between US$900 million (E16.2 billion) and US$1.5 billion (E27 billion), but only US$449 million (E8.1 billion) was secured since 2018. This shortfall limited the scope of projects. By contrast, NDC 3.0 requires US$2.4 billion (E43 billion), with an estimated US$2 billion (E36 billion) financing gap that will require stronger collaboration with development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders.
He said Eswatini will introduce reforms to strengthen institutions, improve accountability, enhance monitoring systems and expand capacity. Key investment areas include climate smart agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, water resource management, early warning systems and resilient infrastructure. These efforts are aimed at protecting vulnerable groups and ensuring the country remains a net carbon sink.
The King further announced that a just energy transition will be pursued, focusing on clean and affordable technologies that promote a low carbon and climate resilient economy. Green finance instruments and incentives will be introduced to align financial flows with climate priorities, while a Sendai aligned Disaster Risk Management Fund will be established to strengthen risk financing and reporting.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that climate smart technologies become affordable and accessible to farmers, homeowners and entrepreneurs, especially once the global loss and damage fund is recapitalised.
“Eswatini cares about survival and opportunity. With the right support, the country can turn climate challenges into green growth, food sovereignty and shared prosperity,” His Majesty told delegates.
The session also heard from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who announced via video link that China would cut its emissions by 10 per cent by 2033, a move that countered US President Donald Trump’s criticism of China’s green technology practices.
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