LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-On Saturday, October 18, 2025 youths across the country matched while others cycled for Climate Justice caravan in the capital Lilongwe.
The caravan pedaled through Lilongwe’s townships, carrying placards with strong message of environmental awareness ahead this year’s COP30 Summit slated for November in Brazil.
The National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC) with support from Oxfam Malawi mobilised about 60 cyclists for the event under the theme, “Riding for Climate Justice”.
Oxfam Project Coordinator, Kondwani Mubisa, the initiative aims to amplify the voices of young Malawians who continue to bear the brunt of the climate crisis.
Mubisa expressed satisfaction over strong environmental messages being delivered to the general public including the country’s authorities.
“This is not just a mere show but a commitment and dedication towards managing our environment.
“We support this noble course for the good of our nation that youth voices be held ahead of COP30 Summit scheduled for Brazil next month”,says Mubisa.
Echoing the same, NYNCC National Coordinator, Dominic Nyasulu, said the caravan is part of a broader regional initiative that seeks to mobilize African youth voices ahead of COP30.
Nyasulu says, “We are going to consolidate all messages and present to Malawi authorities for their input into COP30 Summit discussions.
“It’s our hope Young people’s and children voices will make inroads into Summit discussions for practical solutions in addressing impact of climate change in poor nations”.
According to position paper for the Cycling for Climate Justice caravan, observes that despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, people in Africa are enduring some of the harshest effects of the climate crisis.
“Malawi stands as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Over the past decade, our nation has faced recurring droughts, flash floods, and devastating cyclones such as Cyclone Freddy, which displaced hundreds of thousands, destroyed energy infrastructure, and set back our development by years.
“These climate shocks worsen an already fragile energy situation. Around 74% of Malawians lack access to electricity. Rural communities remain in the dark, most schools operate without power, and many hospitals struggle to perform critical services”, reads the paper in part.
Over 90% of households in Malawi still depend on charcoal and firewood for cooking This is driving deforestation and worsening the country’s climate vulnerability.
Meanwhile, Malawi’s grid electricity is heavily dependent on hydropower, which is itself threatened by reduced water flows caused by climate change.
This is the reality we live with. A twin crisis of energy poverty and climate vulnerability.
“Yet despite the urgency, Malawi faces a massive financing gap in implementing its climate and energy commitments.
“The country’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) estimate that Malawi needs over USD 41 billion to implement its mitigation and adaptation actions by 2040.However, little has been mobilized to date,” adds the document.
It observes further, “While we commend development partners and climate funds for their support, the truth remains: financing is neither sufficient, predictable, nor accessible.
“Too often, funds come as loans instead of grants, deepening the debt burden of countries that have contributed the least to the problem”.
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