MAHLANGATSHA – Acting Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Appolo Maphalala says government is demonstrating its commitment to tackling climate change through legislative reforms, environmental restoration programmes and strategic policies aimed at building resilience across the country.
Speaking during the World Environment Day 2026 commemoration held at Ka Mnyani Community under Mahlangatsha Inkhundla on Friday, Maphalala said climate change continued to pose serious challenges to Eswatini, affecting ecosystems, livelihoods and the country’s natural resources.
He noted that changing rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, land degradation, declining biodiversity and the spread of invasive alien plant species were among the environmental threats facing the Kingdom.
“Climate change continues to pose significant challenges to the Kingdom of Eswatini. These environmental challenges affect not only ecosystems but also livelihoods, food security, water resources and the overall well-being of our communities,” said Maphalala.
He said government remained fully committed and well positioned to address the environmental and climate-related challenges confronting the country.
As evidence of this commitment, Maphalala revealed that government had successfully gazetted the Ozone Depleting Substances and Hydrofluorocarbons Regulations, 2025. The regulations strengthen Eswatini’s obligations under international environmental agreements, including the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment.
He further disclosed that the Climate Change Bill, Chemicals and Waste Management Bill and Forestry Bill were at advanced stages and expected to be tabled during the Third Session of the 12th Parliament.
According to Maphalala, the legislative reforms were designed to strengthen environmental governance, promote sustainable development and advance national climate action priorities.
The acting minister also highlighted several national frameworks guiding the country’s response to climate change, including the National Development Plan, Government Programme of Action, Eswatini’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 and the National Adaptation Plan, which is currently being finalised.
“These provide a roadmap for climate action, sustainable development, greenhouse gas emission reduction, adaptation, and the strengthening of environmental stewardship across all sectors of the economy,” he said.
Maphalala stressed that climate action was no longer confined to policy discussions and international forums but was now being implemented at community level.
He pointed to the European Union-supported livestock and rangeland rehabilitation programme as a practical example of how environmental restoration could simultaneously improve livelihoods and strengthen climate resilience.
The programme, which is supporting the restoration and protection of degraded grazing land, was launched as part of activities marking World Environment Day.
Maphalala said rehabilitated rangelands contributed to improved soil health, better water retention, increased vegetation cover and stronger ecosystem services that benefited both communities and biodiversity.
He encouraged development partners and stakeholders to replicate the initiative across the country’s constituencies. “Let us scale up this model of rangeland rehabilitation through projects that can be implemented across all Tinkhundla,” he said.
He further challenged the Eswatini Environment Authority and Eswatini Bank, which are candidates for direct access accreditation to the Green Climate Fund, to work with partners in developing ambitious projects focused on land restoration and climate adaptation.
Maphalala also underscored the importance of removing invasive alien plant species before embarking on large-scale tree planting initiatives.
Drawing on scientific evidence and local experience, he said tree survival rates were significantly improved when afforestation efforts were preceded by the rehabilitation of degraded land and the removal of invasive species.
“Restoring the land first will create a stronger foundation for successful afforestation efforts in the appropriate planting season,” he said.
The acting minister used the occasion to celebrate the long-standing partnership between Eswatini and the European Union, noting that this year marked 50 years of cooperation between the two parties.He praised the EU’s contribution towards environmental sustainability, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and rural development.
“This partnership continues to empower communities and strengthen our national efforts towards sustainable development,” he said.
Maphalala emphasised that government alone could not successfully address environmental degradation and climate change.
He called on traditional leaders, civil society organisations, educational institutions, development partners and ordinary citizens to play an active role in protecting the environment.
“Environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility. Government alone cannot restore ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, or combat climate change,” he said.
He urged emaSwati to protect forests, conserve water resources, prevent veld fires and safeguard biodiversity for future generations.
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