By Desire Tshuma
The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has urged the City of Harare to accelerate efforts towards building a climate-smart city, warning that environmental degradation and the looming 2026/2027 El Niño season pose serious threats to the capital’s future.
In a statement issued to mark World Environment Day 2026, commemorated under the global theme _#NowForClimate_, the residents’ body called for stronger environmental policies and decisive action to address climate change through improved waste management, wetlands protection and sustainable urban planning.
CHRA acknowledged ongoing efforts by the City of Harare to respond to climate change but said much more needs to be done to safeguard the environment and strengthen the city’s resilience against extreme weather events.
The association stressed that meaningful climate action begins at the local level, calling for closer collaboration between the local authority, residents, community organisations and climate change activists to tackle environmental challenges.
With forecasts indicating an 88 to 94 percent probability of an El Niño event affecting Zimbabwe during the 2026/2027 season, CHRA urged the city to implement comprehensive mitigation measures. These include promoting water conservation, encouraging the responsible use of underground water, reducing air and water pollution, protecting wetlands and developing a comprehensive disaster risk reduction plan.
The association expressed concern over continued environmental degradation in Harare, saying pollution, deforestation and the destruction of wetlands are worsening the effects of climate change while threatening the city’s long-term development.
CHRA noted that Harare’s headwater wetlands are critical for regulating water resources and mitigating climate change but warned that continued encroachment has increased residents’ vulnerability to climate-related disasters while contributing to the pollution of Lake Chivero, the city’s main water source.
According to the association, Harare has lost more than half of its wetlands over the past two decades, raising fears that the remaining ecosystems could disappear without urgent intervention.
The organisation said protecting wetlands is essential if Harare is to realise its ambition of becoming a modern climate-smart city.
Looking ahead, CHRA called on Zimbabwe, as a signatory and current President of the Ramsar Convention, to strengthen its commitment to wetlands conservation at local, regional and international levels.
The association also advocated for increased public access to environmental information to empower communities in climate action, stronger community participation in environmental stewardship and stricter enforcement of the “polluter pays” principle through tougher penalties for industries responsible for pollution.
CHRA further urged authorities to strengthen urban planning policies to combat illegal sand mining, wetlands destruction and land baron activities while ensuring the preservation of ecological buffer zones and open spaces.
The association said protecting Harare’s natural environment is essential not only for addressing climate change but also for creating a healthier, more sustainable and resilient city for future generations.