Experts from the World Bank argued today in Maputo that the Mozambican government should include climate resilience in all public policies, so that the negative impact of natural disasters does not hinder development.

The experts stressed the importance of climate being part of governance policies, speaking during a public hearing as part of the ongoing preparation of the Report on Climate Change and Development.

"We have to make sure that climate becomes part of economic policies, in health, education, roads" and others, said Paulo Guilherme Correa, leader of the World Bank program for Mozambique.

Quoted by Lusa, Correa said that budget planning should include funds for preventing and combating the impact of climate change so that the country can avoid going backwards in the development process.

Noting that the cost of extreme weather events is very high, due to Mozambique's geographical and economic vulnerability, the expert pointed out that the country must step up the mobilization of "green financing" for climate adaptation actions.

The funds must be guaranteed through concessional loans or grants, said Paulo Guilherme Correa.

Correa pointed out that Mozambique has undertaken actions that correspond to a climate adaptation effort, such as the mass use of cooking gas to replace charcoal and firewood, products that result from the indiscriminate felling of forests.

Franka Braun, senior natural resource management specialist at the World Bank, also advocated building resilience in Mozambique, given the country's exposure to climate change and the vulnerability of the majority of the population.

"The planning and coordination of government action", as well as the actions of the "private sector and civil society" must take into account the impacts of climate change, Braun emphasized.

Since the majority of the population lives in the countryside and coastal areas, a commitment to sustainable agriculture and fishing should be made, he continued.

She said that Mozambique is in a position to benefit more from the impact of climate adaptation, given that it has enormous renewable natural resources and natural gas with a lower carbon content.