Malawi’s Vulnerability to Climate Shocks

The environment and natural resources play a vital role in influencing socio-economic development at both national and household levels, forming the bedrock of Malawi’s agro-based economy.

Currently, the situation has changed due to the country facing challenges with environmental degradation. This is attributed to the rapid increase in population growth that has placed huge demands on natural systems with more land being converted for agricultural use and more forests being depleted for fuel to meet domestic energy needs. In recent years, due to environmental degradation, the country has become more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.    

According to a 2021 report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 90% of Malawi's population relies on forests and unsustainable natural resources mainly charcoal to meet their domestic energy needs, which raises serious environmental concerns and negatively contributes to climate change. This is largely attributed to a lack of alternative energy sources to hydroelectric power. The World Bank Group further reports that less than 20% of Malawi's population is connected to electricity. The power utility provider is failing to meet this demand, causing frequent blackouts, and leaving most Malawians with no choice but charcoal.

Generating charcoal has led to the depletion of the country’s forest reserves and adversely contributing to climate change despite government efforts to eradicate its usage. Due to this climate change, tropical cyclone Freddy recently caused heavy rains and flooding in Malawi and neighboring Mozambique. In Malawi, the floods caused loss of life, and property, power outages across the country, and washed away crops whilst in the field. Furthermore, smallholder farmers are failing to make a living in agriculture due to climate change. This is posing a high risk to national food security and citizens’ social economic status as many are unable to produce due to perennial droughts, floods, and cyclones that have in the process compromised their lives. 

The World Bank Group projects that Malawi’s population is expected to double by 2038 necessitating increased agricultural production but the country is vulnerable to climate change due to environmental degradation. The way we respond to climate change is critical not only to survival but also to well-being.    

From a strategic and policy landscape, Malawi has the following policies and strategic plans that are aimed at promoting environmental sustainability:

• National Forest Policy (2016): aspires to control deforestation and promote the conservation of forest resources.
• National Charcoal Strategy (2017 – 2027): provides a framework to address the linked problems of increased deforestation and increased demand for domestic cooking fuel.
• Malawi Vision 2063 (MW2063): a blueprint and master plan for transforming Malawi into a middle-income country by the year 2063. MW2063 has 3 main pillars and 7 enablers. Enabler 7 focuses on environmental sustainability and is aimed at minimising the depletion of natural resources to have a safe, clean, and secure environment.    

Despite the above policy and strategic plans, Malawi is still being confronted with environmental sustainability challenges. The high demand for charcoal and firewood is accelerating deforestation in Malawi thereby undermining agricultural productivity and food security, water security, and hydroelectric generating capacity leaving the country more vulnerable to climate shocks.

There is therefore a need to embrace systems thinking to tackle the climate change challenge. It’s important to look for solutions beyond just technological and economic interventions. Dealing with climate change, for example, does need both of these types of solutions but it also requires transformation of our mindset and culture.     Providing alternative and economically viable clean energy will alleviate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations and protect life on land. Mitigating the impacts of climate change will also assist in combating hunger and fighting poverty since 80% of Malawi’s population constitutes smallholder farmers who depend on agriculture as their source of income. 

Edited by: Muhammad Abdullahi Ibrahim