By Edwin Mauluka

The Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) has urged the Malawi government to align its economic recovery efforts with climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and strengthened disaster risk management systems.

The call follows the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Peter Mutharika last Friday.

In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by CISONECC Board Chairperson Gift Numeri and National Coordinator Julius Ng’oma, the organisation emphasised that sustainable development in Malawi can only be achieved if climate change adaptation and environmental protection are fully integrated into national planning and budgeting.

CISONECC observed that the SONA exposed significant gaps in addressing climate change and disaster preparedness, including the absence of a clear national adaptation and resilience roadmap, as well as a financing strategy.

“The escalating impacts of loss and damage from climate-induced disasters require a clear government approach to addressing long-term and cumulative effects in order to build resilience. Calling only for relief and recovery undermines the purpose of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Act (2023), which promotes preparedness and risk reduction,” reads part of the statement.

The organisation has since proposed prioritising and effectively implementing climate adaptation measures such as agroecology, greenbelt initiatives, and broader efforts to reduce climate and disaster risks while advancing sustainable development.

Numeri and Ng’oma also noted that the president failed to highlight the need to finalise the Climate Change Bill and expedite the development and implementation of the draft Meteorological Bill.

“These pieces of legislation are crucial for strengthening weather and climate information systems, enabling effective early warning mechanisms, and improving preparedness to minimise loss and damage,” they said.

CISONECC added that the Climate Change Bill would also support the mobilisation of climate finance, both domestically and internationally, to address recurring climate-related disasters and strengthen resilience through adaptation and mitigation measures.

The network further criticised the SONA for overlooking key environmental challenges such as deforestation, land degradation, watershed destruction, and charcoal dependency.

“These issues directly affect natural resources, which are the backbone of Malawi’s tourism sector and critical to agricultural productivity,” the statement noted.

The organisation also called on the president to send a strong message to environmental institutions, including the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, to intensify efforts in protecting natural resources and curbing environmental degradation.

While acknowledging the government’s vision to generate 1,000 megawatts of energy by 2030, CISONECC said there was limited ambition in transitioning to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy.

Currently, only about 26 percent of Malawi’s population has access to electricity, with nearly 80 percent relying on biomass for cooking and heating, placing significant pressure on forests and fuelling illegal charcoal production in areas such as Zomba and Chikala mountains.

On taxation, CISONECC warned that punitive taxes are worsening poverty and indirectly contributing to environmental degradation.

“Over 70 percent of the population lives in poverty, and many are still recovering from disasters experienced in recent years. Heavy taxation is forcing companies to retrench workers, further exacerbating economic hardship,” the statement said.

CISONECC has since recommended that the government mainstream climate considerations into economic recovery by integrating resilience into all infrastructure and development projects. It also called for strengthened disaster risk management through investment in community-based early warning systems and increased funding for preparedness at subnational levels.

The organisation further urged the promotion of climate-smart agriculture through large-scale irrigation, crop diversification, and improved access to extension services. It also called for greater transparency and accountability in climate finance, including the publication of annual tracking reports and independent audits.

However, CISONECC commended the president for efforts to stabilise maize prices, expand healthcare infrastructure, and promote transparency through digital tracking of public funds.

CISONECC is a network organisation that coordinates civil society initiatives on climate change management and disaster risk reduction.

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