BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE— Climate action must go beyond awareness campaigns and become part of economic planning and daily life, European Union Ambassador H.E. Karsten Mecklenburg said during the Eswatini chapter launch of EU Green Week 2026 in Mbabane on Wednesday.
The event, held at Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane, brought together government leaders, development partners, municipalities, youth organisations and civil society under the theme of promoting a “nature positive economy”.
Speaking during the launch, Mecklenburg said the 26th edition of EU Green Week focuses on showing that protecting nature is directly linked to economic stability, resilience and long term development. “This is where environmental ambition meets economic reality,” he said.
He explained that the campaign seeks to explore practical solutions such as profitable farming, improved soil health, greener cities and innovative financing models that can support both environmental protection and livelihoods.
The ambassador said climate change, geopolitical instability and increasing pressure on food, water and energy systems make it necessary for countries to place nature at the centre of development strategies. “We need to position nature at the heart of our resilience agenda,” he said, adding that investing in nature is now a strategic necessity rather than a choice.
Mecklenburg also announced that the EU will support a tree planting and rangeland rehabilitation initiative in Mahlangatsha under its livestock value chain development programme. He said the EU continues working with the Eswatini Environment Authority, Mbabane City Council and local organisations to support Eswatini’s climate and sustainability goals.
The ambassador further praised youth participation in climate discussions, particularly through initiatives such as the Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change (LCOY Eswatini).
Mbabane Mayor Thulan Mkhonto said the city remains committed to balancing urban development with environmental sustainability. He described Mbabane as a “green municipality” that continues to promote urban greening, improved waste management and climate resilience projects. “Trees represent growth, resilience and hope,” he said, referring to the tree planting activities held as part of the programme.
Mkhonto added that environmental sustainability can only succeed through collaboration between government, development partners, academia, civil society and young people. Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Eswatini Environment Authority Gcina Dladla urged communities to treat environmental protection as a shared responsibility.
Using the example of astronauts sharing limited resources in space, Dladla said people on earth must also learn to live responsibly within limited environmental resources. “We do not have the luxury to focus only on economic development and forget about plastic pollution, climate change and climate resilience,” he said.
The event forms part of activities leading up to World Environment Day 2026 and reflects growing efforts to link climate action with economic and community development in Eswatini.
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(Courtesy Pic)
