Stakeholders have called for an equitable transition towards a climate-resilient and fossil-free future. They stressed the need to ensure that vulnerable communities, young people, women and other marginalised groups are meaningfully included in climate action.
The stakeholders, in a collective decision at the official launch of the Youth-led Global Week of Mobilisation for Climate Justice 2026-Malawi, at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Malawi, said that climate justice efforts must ensure that communities most affected by climate change are not left behind in the transition towards sustainable development.
The ActionAid Executive Director, Yandura Chipeta, particularly highlighted the role of farmers and young people, urging farmers to embrace agroecology as one way of strengthening food systems while responding to the impacts of climate change.
“Farmers must be aware and sensitised that agroecology can help in responding to the impacts of climate change.”
She also called on government to create spaces for young people to participate fully in climate change decision-making and interventions.
“Young people should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of climate initiatives but as leaders who have an important role to play in shaping solutions to the climate crisis,” Chipeta said.
Innocent Pangapanga Phiri, Director of the Centre for Cultural Research and Development at LUANAR, said climate action must deliberately include people with disabilities, women and other minority groups.
He said marginalised communities should be given meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their lives rather than being treated merely as beneficiaries of climate interventions.
“We need to make sure that people with disabilities, women and other minority groups are not left behind, but are given space to participate and have their voices heard in decisions that affect their lives,” Pangapanga Phiri said.
He advised government and other stakeholders to create mechanisms that allow marginalised groups to actively contribute to climate solutions.
Deputy Director of Environmental Affairs Michael Makonombera called for stronger accountability in the management of resources allocated to address climate change.
He said leaders and institutions entrusted with climate finance must be held accountable for ensuring that funds are used for their intended purposes.
“Those who are entrusted with funds to address climate change must be held accountable so that the resources are used for the intended purpose.”
He expressed concern that much of the funding allocated to climate change does not reach the communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.
Makonombera also called for increased investment in anticipatory preparedness to protect communities at risk of climate-related disasters, including floods.
The Global Week of Mobilization for Climate Justice 2026-Malawi began with a Solidarity March and is running from September 15 to 20 under the theme, “This World is Ours; Ending Dirty Energy and Pushing for a Fossil-Free Future.”
The mobilisation brings together civil society, youth and climate justice organisations seeking to increase public engagement and push for stronger action on climate change.
Participating organisations include Norwegian Church Aid/DanChurchAid (NCA/DCA), ActionAid Malawi, GreenFaith Malawi, the Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA), Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC), Oxfam, Global Platforms and Green Girls Platform.
The stakeholders said an inclusive approach to climate action is essential if Malawi is to build resilience while ensuring that those most affected by climate change have a meaningful voice in shaping the country’s response.
