Climate & Environment News Network, Jojo Street, Mbabane (2026)

11/06/2026

Eswatini, Lesotho Partner for Water Access💧

Water is more than a resource- it is dignity, health, opportunity, and hope flowing through communities.

Today, the Government of Eswatini, led by His Excellency the Right Honourable Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, welcomed a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho on a learning mission focused on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) service delivery. The delegation is led by Lesotho’s Minister of Natural Resources, Honourable Mohlomi Moleko, and is in the country to learn from Eswatini’s journey towards achieving universal access to safe water services by 2030.

Through high-level engagements, technical exchanges, and field visits, the two nations are expected to share knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and exploring practical solutions to ensure that clean water reaches every household and community. Particular attention will being given to Eswatini’s partnership with World Vision, which continues to demonstrate how strategic collaboration can transform lives through sustainable WASH services.

The delegation also engages with several Cabinet Ministers and joins tomorrow’s commissioning of the Bulekeni Water Project under Zombodze Inkhundla- another milestone in expanding access to safe water.

Issued by Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, the visit reflects a growing spirit of African cooperation, where nations learn from one another and work together to turn the promise of water security into a lived reality for all.

11/06/2026

Looming El Niño Could Trigger Dry Spell Crisis in Eswatini, Warns MET🪾🌎

Eswatini could be heading into one of its most challenging spring seasons in recent years as meteorologists warn that a developing super El Niño may bring below-average rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and heightened drought risks across the Kingdom.

The warning was issued by the Meteorologist for Climate Prediction & Monitoring and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Focal Point at the Eswatini Meteorological Services Lucky Sigudla, following global forecasts indicating the emergence of a potentially strong to super El Niño event during the latter half of 2026.

Seasonal outlook models are already pointing to an increased likelihood of below-normal rainfall between August and October 2026, a period that traditionally marks the beginning of agricultural preparations and the onset of the rainy season.

“Analysis of the latest seasonal outlook products shows a tendency towards drier-than-normal conditions across much of Southern Africa, including Eswatini,” the statement said.

Should the forecast materialise, the country could face delayed rains, worsening soil moisture deficits, shrinking water supplies, and mounting pressure on crop production and livestock farming. The dry conditions could also increase the risk of devastating veld fires and extreme heat episodes.

“The forecasted emergence of a super El Niño event warrants heightened vigilance across all sectors,” warned the meteorological agency, noting that previous strong El Niño episodes have been linked to severe droughts, reduced agricultural productivity, heat stress and heightened wildfire risk.

With memories of past climate shocks still fresh, authorities are urging farmers, water managers, communities and disaster response agencies to begin preparations now. Early action, the agency stressed, could mean the difference between resilience and crisis if the anticipated climate extremes unfold in the months ahead.

09/06/2026

Africa Can No Longer Afford Another Cycle of Climate Negotiations, Says African CSOs at UNFCCC SB64 🌍

Beneath the polished halls of international diplomacy, where climate negotiators gather once again to chart the world's response to a warming planet, African civil society organisations have arrived with a stark warning: the continent can no longer survive another cycle of climate negotiations defined by delays, diluted commitments and deferred action.

Representatives from across Africa, mobilised by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), made the declaration at the opening of the 64th Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB64) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany. In an official statement, the organisations urged governments to move beyond promises and begin delivering concrete climate justice actions for communities already suffering the devastating impacts of climate change.

PACJA, Africa's largest coalition of civil society organisations working on climate justice, said climate change was no longer a future threat but a present and intensifying reality across the continent.

The alliance noted that prolonged droughts, destructive floods, cyclones, heatwaves and ecosystem degradation continue to destroy livelihoods, worsen food insecurity, displace communities and reverse development gains despite Africa contributing less than four percent of cumulative global greenhouse gas emissions.

"Africa can no longer afford another cycle of climate negotiations characterised by delay, dilution and deferral," PACJA stated, arguing that climate justice remains fundamentally a matter of fairness for a continent bearing the consequences of a crisis it did little to create.

As discussions began in Bonn, African civil society groups expressed alarm over the omission of Loss and Damage and National Adaptation Plans from key agenda items. They aligned themselves with concerns raised by the African Group of Negotiators, warning that climate talks that exclude these issues amount to "an abdication of justice for the victims of climate change, especially in Africa."

The organisations identified three priorities for SB64: delivering accessible and predictable climate finance, ensuring a genuinely just transition that supports Africa's development aspirations, and placing adaptation and resilience at the centre of global climate action. They stressed that more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity and that climate solutions must create jobs, expand energy access and support industrialisation.

The alliance also criticised what it described as recurring resistance by developed countries to legally grounded climate finance obligations and stronger recognition of historical responsibility. It warned that excessive reliance on private finance and continued delays in implementation threaten to undermine trust in the multilateral climate process.

Full article: https://www.cenewsnetwork.org/article/africa-can-no-longer-afford-another-cycle-of-climate-negotiations-says-african-csos-at-unfccc-sb64

09/06/2026

Understanding the Hidden Threat of A Green Drought 🌱

The landscape may appear lush and thriving, but beneath the surface a silent climate challenge is unfolding. Experts are increasingly drawing attention to green drought, a phenomenon where vegetation experiences stress due to insufficient soil moisture, even when rainfall appears normal.

As climate change continues to influence weather patterns, understanding these hidden risks is becoming essential for protecting food security, ecosystems, and livelihoods in Eswatini.

Read the full article to discover what green drought is, why it matters, and what experts are saying about the country's preparedness and response.

https://www.cenewsnetwork.org/article/green-drought-risk-comes-under-scrutiny-by-eswatini-experts

05/06/2026

Today, on World Environment Day, we celebrate the power of environmental storytelling in shaping a more sustainable future.

As the Climate & Environment News Network, we remain committed to fostering environmental stewardship through green reporting- amplifying voices, sharing solutions, and driving conversations that inspire action for people and planet.

03/06/2026

📢 Climate Change Is a Sobering Global Reality – Eswatini PM

Climate change is no longer a future threat but a crisis unfolding in real time, Prime Minister His Excellency Russell Mmiso Dlamini told global climate practitioners during a Climate Justice Session held on 3 June 2026.

Delivering a virtual address under the theme “Nations at Crossroads: Climate Change and Its Impacts,” Dlamini described the current moment as a defining test of global leadership and collective responsibility.

“Every age confronts a moment when history demands not comfort, but courage. Today, we stand at such a crossroads,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that climate change is not merely an environmental issue but one that affects economies, food security, public health, and future generations. He warned that the world is already experiencing the impacts of a warming planet, describing climate science as “sobering.”

For Eswatini, he said, climate change is a lived reality. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts, floods, and landslides continue to threaten livelihoods and development. With nearly 80 percent of farms dependent on rain-fed agriculture, climate shocks often translate directly into economic and social challenges.

“Recognition of loss and damage is welcome, but recognition without resources is hollow. Justice demands action,” Dlamini said, calling for increased climate finance and support for vulnerable nations.

He further urged the international community to honour climate commitments, operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund, and prioritise adaptation alongside mitigation efforts.

“Understanding without action is failure dressed as wisdom,” he concluded, emphasizing that climate action is essential for protecting development gains, strengthening resilience, and securing a just future for generations to come.

02/06/2026

Why Traditional Leaders Need to Be Sensitised on Biodiversity…🍃

In Eswatini’s rural landscape, biodiversity conservation cannot succeed without the active involvement of traditional leadership. Chiefs remain the custodians of communal land, natural resources, and cultural practices that directly influence how communities interact with forests, wetlands, rivers, and wildlife. This is why ongoing efforts to sensitise Traditional Authorities on biodiversity are not merely consultative exercises- they are strategic investments in the country’s environmental future.

Recent engagements led by the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) and the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs highlighted a critical reality: environmental governance is strongest when conservation messages are rooted in local leadership structures. Traditional leaders possess the authority to influence land use decisions, discourage illegal harvesting, mobilize communities against veld fires, and champion the protection of indigenous forests and wetlands.

As Eswatini reviews its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 3.0), the call by Chiefs for conservation programmes to reach communities directly is both timely and necessary. Biodiversity loss, invasive alien species, land degradation, and climate-related pressures are not abstract environmental issues; they affect food security, water availability, livelihoods, and community resilience.

Empowering Traditional Authorities with biodiversity knowledge transforms them into conservation ambassadors capable of bridging policy and practice. When Chiefs understand the ecological and economic value of biodiversity, conservation ceases to be a government responsibility alone and becomes a shared community mission.

The future of biodiversity conservation in Eswatini may well depend on how effectively traditional leadership is positioned at the centre of environmental stewardship.

02/06/2026

Eswatini Youth Called to Join Biodiversity Talks This Friday🍃

The Climate Change Youth Parliament (CCYP) has called on young Emaswati to take part in Sisekelo Semvelo, a youth-led biodiversity dialogue set for Friday, 5 June 2026, at American Corner at the Mbabane Library. More than just a conversation about nature, the event aims to place young people at the centre of shaping Eswatini’s climate and biodiversity future through evidence, culture, and community-driven solutions.

Building on the momentum of the Strengthening Youth Engagement in the NBSAP and NDC workshop held in May, Sisekelo Semvelo seeks to transform dialogue into action.

Organisers say the initiative is not a lecture or awareness campaign, but a structured platform where youth can generate real data, identify local priorities, and contribute directly to national environmental planning processes. Through storytelling, poetry, indigenous knowledge, and lived experiences, participants will explore how protecting forests, wetlands, rivers, and grasslands strengthens climate resilience while creating opportunities for nature-based livelihoods.

The event will also provide a platform for young people to submit community-level insights that can inform the development of Eswatini’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 3.0) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0). By connecting local knowledge with national policy, the initiative demonstrates that young people are not merely recipients of climate action, but active producers of solutions and environmental governance.

Under the theme “Endibanweni” (At the Gathering), Sisekelo Semvelo is expected to bring together students, young farmers, environmental advocates, and community leaders to collectively envision a resilient and sustainable Eswatini. The gathering will serve as a proof of concept for a youth-led model that bridges conservation, culture, and policy, ensuring that the voices of young Emaswati are heard where decisions about the country’s environmental future are made.

Registration remains open, with limited seats available.

02/06/2026

PELUM Leads Climate Advocacy Talks in Eswatini🍃

In a world where climate change continues to redraw the boundaries of livelihoods, food systems, and environmental sustainability, PELUM Eswatini is bringing together the voices that matter most.

The PELUM Eswatini Advocacy Strategy Development Workshop, themed “Building a Shared Understanding of PELUM Eswatini’s Advocacy Context,” is creating a space where ideas converge, experiences are shared, and collective action begins to take shape.

From grassroots champions to policy influencers, participants are engaging in critical conversations aimed at strengthening advocacy for agroecology, climate resilience, food security, and sustainable development. More than a workshop, it is a gathering of minds committed to ensuring that the realities of rural communities and smallholder farmers are not left behind in national decision-making processes.

Speaking during the ongoing workshop, PELUM Eswatini Programmes Manager Andile Dlamini described advocacy as a fundamental pillar of climate action. He noted that while perspectives may differ and approaches may vary, the destination remains the same: a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future.

His message resonated as a reminder that meaningful change is born not from uniformity of thought, but from a shared commitment to a common cause. Through dialogue, policy engagement, strategic communication, and collaboration, the workshop is laying the foundation for a stronger and more coordinated advocacy movement.

01/06/2026

MTN Bushfire Strengthens Its Position as a Leading Green Festival in Africa🍃

The 2026 edition of MTN BUSHFIRE continued to reinforce its reputation as one of Africa’s foremost environmentally conscious festivals, with sustainability taking centre stage throughout the weekend-long celebration. Through its flagship Green Your Fire initiative, the festival implemented a range of eco-friendly interventions designed to reduce its environmental footprint while promoting responsible behaviour among festival-goers, vendors and partners.

Among the standout initiatives were waste segregation stations strategically placed across the festival grounds, a dedicated recycling centre for sorting and processing recoverable materials, and a strong push for traders to adopt biodegradable and environmentally friendly packaging. The measures underscored MTN Bushfire’s commitment to embedding sustainability into large-scale events, demonstrating how entertainment, culture and environmental stewardship can coexist to create a greener future.

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