Overview on Climate Resilience Efforts

 Malawi has developed an integrated strategy for climate change learning, aligning various policies under a unified approach. The Malawi 2063 First 10-Year Implementation Plan prioritises a productive and commercialised agriculture sector. The 2016 National Climate Change Management Policy guides coordination across government, while the National Meteorology Policy includes climate change learning components.

The National Environmental Policy ensures that sectoral policies align with principles of environmental sustainability and climate change. Public awareness and behavioural change are promoted through the National Environment and Climate Change Communication Strategy and the National Climate Change Investment Plan.

Malawi’s National Resilience Strategy aims to strengthen environmental and economic resilience, prioritizing sectors such as water, healthcare, and food security in the face of floods and droughts.

Malawi has also implemented National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA) to meet urgent adaptation needs, particularly in agriculture, water, and health. However, the country still requires support to strengthen the capacities of nominated DAEs and to train water stakeholders in climate finance programming. Malawi has formally requested the development of its National Water Investment Programme in alignment with the AIP and support for its project pipeline.

Gender Dimensions of Climate Change

• Differential vulnerability: Women in Malawi face heightened vulnerability due to limited access to land, finance, and decision-making roles.
• Food security: As small-scale farmers, women face barriers to accessing inputs, services, and markets, affecting food security.
• Water and sanitation: Women and girls bear the burden of water collection, which is exacerbated by climate-induced water scarcity.
• Health risks: Climate change increases risks such as malnutrition and waterborne diseases, with specific threats to women’s reproductive health.
• Energy access: Reliance on biomass affects women’s health due to indoor pollution and increases time poverty as resources become scarcer.

Project Focus