Climate Change Action Ls

𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟐 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨. 💚✨

Together, we explored the basics of climate, weather, and climate change, and discussed simple actions we can all take to protect our planet. 🌱🌡️☁️🌪️

It was inspiring to see young learners engage with these important topics, their curiosity and energy remind us why climate education matters.

Thank you to 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨
for joining us in this journey toward a sustainable future. 🌍💚

𝐈𝐒 𝗜𝗧 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐔𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐖𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃?

The planet is heating up and fast. 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗱, 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Since the 1880s, Earth has already warmed by about +1 °C, and the last decade has been the hottest stretch in human history.

This isn’t just about numbers. Rising seas, melting ice, hotter oceans, and more extreme weather are proof that climate change is reshaping our world in real time. Scientists warn that the future depends on what we do now:
• With 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗰𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀, warming could be held to+𝟮 °𝗖 or less.
• Without action, we’re on track for +𝟱 °𝗖 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟭𝟬𝟬 a level that would bring devastating floods, fires, and storms across the globe.

Lesotho is already experiencing the effects of climate change, with rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns. According to national climate projections, by 2030 the country will see noticeably hotter summers and more frequent droughts, especially in the lowland areas where agriculture is most vulnerable.

This means greater stress on water supplies, reduced crop yields, and heightened risks for rural communities that depend on farming. Looking further ahead, by 2050, if greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked, Lesotho could face severe warming under high emission scenarios (RCP8.5), with temperature increases of 2–3 °C or more compared to today. Such changes would amplify droughts, reduce snowpack in the mountains, and threaten the country’s long term food security and economic stability.

Climate change is no longer tomorrow’s problem it’s today’s reality. The choices we make now will decide whether we face a manageable challenge or a planetary crisis.

𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲. 𝗜𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿.

https://climatechangelesotho.gov.ls/index.php/documents-publications/

First Friday of 2026 and the journey toward climate resilience continues.
COMPLIMENTS OF THE NEW YEAR🌎❤

𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙤’𝙨 𝙁𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙂𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙩 𝘾𝙊𝙋30🇱🇸🇧🇷

At the COP30 Leaders’ Summit in Belém, Brazil, the 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 & 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 announced a 𝗨𝗦$𝟭.𝟰 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝟮𝟲 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻) investment over four years to strengthen climate adaptation for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

For Lesotho, this means new opportunities to protect food security and rural livelihoods against climate shocks such as droughts, floods, and frost. Farmers who produce under the toughest conditions will gain access to climate resilient innovations, improved water systems, renewable energy through solar and wind, ecosystem restoration, and tools to safeguard agriculture. This commitment directly supports Lesotho’s 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 (𝗡𝗔𝗣) and climate goals, reinforcing the country’s leadership in resilience.

Globally, smallholder farmers produce one third of the world’s food, yet less than 1% of climate finance reaches them. Without urgent investment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that agricultural productivity in parts of Africa could drop by up to 20% by 2050. Research shows that every US$1 (≈M19) invested in climate adaptation yields more than US$10 (≈M190) in social and economic benefits within a decade. The World Bank further estimates that targeted adaptation investments could boost GDP in vulnerable regions by as much as 15 percentage points by 2050.

This COP30 breakthrough is more than finance, it is a moral and economic imperative to protect livelihoods and ensure food security. Lesotho’s farmers will have stronger global backing to thrive in a warming world.

𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗭𝗢𝗡: 𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗢 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝟯𝟬🇱🇸🇧🇷

At the COP30 Leaders’ Summit in Belém, Brazil, 𝑯𝒐𝒏. 𝑵𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒂𝒋𝒂𝒓𝒂, 𝑳𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒐’𝒔 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒚 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓, delivered one of the most profound speeches of the conference. Her words placed Lesotho firmly on the global stage not as a small, landlocked nation, but as a champion of moral clarity and progress in the fight against climate change.

Speaking from the heart of the Amazon while echoing the spirit of Lesotho’s mountains, she called for courage, fairness, and faith in a shared future. “For Lesotho, climate change is not abstract, it is a lived experience,” she declared, pointing to droughts, frost, and floods that already affect every household. For least developed countries, she reminded the world, 𝟭.𝟱°𝗖 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱.

Despite contributing less than 0.01% of global emissions, Lesotho has shown leadership through its 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗡𝗗𝗖), committing to reduce emissions by 6% unconditionally and up to 24% with international support by 2030. Guided by its Climate Change Policy, National Adaptation Plan, and Long-Term Strategy, the country is advancing adaptation across water, food systems, health, energy, and biodiversity. Examples include expanding climate-resilient water infrastructure, accelerating solar and wind energy, restoring wetlands and rangelands, and strengthening early warning systems

Her call was clear: 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. Africa, warming at twice the global rate, faces escalating costs with adaptation needs of US$70 billion annually but receiving less than US$15 billion, and loss and damage projected at US$290–440 billion by 2030. She urged tripling adaptation finance, stronger Global Goal on Adaptation indicators, and scaling up the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.

Closing her address, she drew a powerful parallel: “The forests of the Amazon and the mountains of Lesotho are part of one system, both vital, both vulnerable, and both deserving of protection. In Sesotho we say: a home is built by many hands. Let us protect our home, our Earth, with courage, fairness, and faith.”

Lesotho’s voice at COP30 was a reminder that leadership is not measured by size, but by substance.

𝗟𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗢𝗣 𝟯𝟬: 𝗔 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

In preparation for COP 30, the Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) has initiated a national effort to build a clear, inclusive, and evidence-based country position on climate change. This initiative recognizes the urgency of aligning Lesotho’s climate priorities with global negotiations, while ensuring that the voices of local communities, technical experts, policymakers, and civil society are meaningfully represented. LMS is leading this process not only as a technical authority on climate data, but as a convener of diverse stakeholders committed to shaping Lesotho’s future in a warming world.

A well-defined country position is critical for effective participation in COP 30 negotiations. It enables Lesotho to advocate for its unique vulnerabilities, secure climate finance, and influence global frameworks on adaptation, loss and damage, and technology transfer. Without a unified stance, smaller nations risk being sidelined in decision-making processes that directly affect their development and resilience. This initiative ensures that Lesotho enters COP 30 with clarity, confidence, and credibility.

The process is deeply collaborative, involving the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC), The Ministries, and private sector actors, CSOs, Youth Representatives and NGOs. Each contributes distinct expertise from policy design and grassroots mobilization to technical modeling and innovation. Together, the crafted a position that reflects national priorities, scientific evidence, and the lived realities of Basotho communities.
𝘽𝙮 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙘𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚.

Not familiar with 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆? Let’s break it down, because your voice matters in shaping a resilient future. 🌱

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗼 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹.🌍

Lesotho takes A Bold Step Towards Sustainable Cities

On October 16th, Lesotho joined the global Urban October movement with a high level stakeholder dialogue hosted by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police in collaboration with UN-Habitat. Held at Manthabiseng Convention Centre, the event marked the launch of the National Urban Profile a foundational step toward developing Lesotho’s National Urban Policy.

Institutions including Government Ministries, NCCC, Academia, CSOs, NGOs, and other key stakeholders gathered to explore the opportunities and challenges of urbanization in Lesotho.

The dialogue emphasized that well managed urbanization can:
• Boost the national economy
• Reduce crime rates
• Address inequality
• To enhance adaptive capacity of Urban Settlements

This milestone aligns Lesotho with global efforts to build inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban environments. The conversation continues and so does the commitment to shaping cities that work for everyone.

Urban progress means nothing without climate resilience. Let’s rise together to shape cities that protect our people, our planet, and our future because the time to act is now.

UrbanOctober

Lesotho Leads the Way in Gender-Inclusive Climate Planning

Over the course of three days, from September 17th to 19th, 2025 the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) team, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, hosted a landmark workshop aimed at integrating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) into Lesotho’s climate strategy. This initiative places Lesotho among five African countries piloting the mainstreaming of GESI into the NAP process, with support from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the NAP Global Network.

The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, youth representatives, and gender experts. Their shared mission was to ensure that climate adaptation planning reflects the lived experiences and voices of those most vulnerable to climate change, particularly women, youth, and people with disabilities. Through interactive sessions and technical training, participants explored how climate change disproportionately affects these groups and developed tools to embed gender-responsive approaches into national frameworks.

Lesotho’s NAP is currently progressing through its second phase, which focuses on conducting a Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA). This assessment is scheduled for completion by the end of September 2025 and will inform the next steps of the NAP process, including the identification of adaptation priorities, economic evaluations of proposed interventions, and the compilation of the final NAP document.

Throughout the workshop, participants emphasized the importance of inclusive planning. Discussions highlighted how daily survival task such as water and firewood collection are often carried out by women and children, exposing them to environmental hazards and social risks. These realities underscore the need for climate policies that are not only technically sound but also socially just.

Lesotho’s approach to climate resilience is evolving, not just through data and infrastructure, but through the deliberate inclusion of every voice. By centering equity and participation, the country is laying the foundation for a climate strategy that is locally grounded, socially responsive, and globally relevant.

13th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XIII) Theme: Empowering Africa’s Climate Action with Science, Finance, and Justice

From September 5th to 10th, 2025, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia became the epicenter of African climate diplomacy, hosting two major events: the 13th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XIII) and the Africa Climate Summit 2 (ACS2). Held at the historic Adwa Museum, these gatherings brought together policymakers, scientists, civil society, and youth leaders from across the continent to accelerate Africa’s climate response under the theme: “Empowering Africa’s Climate Action with Science, Finance, and Justice.”

Youth participation was a defining feature of both events, with young negotiators and innovators stepping into leadership roles. Among them was Mr. Theletsa Mpholle, a Youth Negotiator with the African Union Commission (AUC) from Lesotho, who delivered a compelling call for a strategic and holistic approach to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). Mr Mpholle argued that NBS must be recognized as a triple-dividend strategy one that simultaneously addresses climate mitigation and adaptation, socio-economic development, and biodiversity conservation.

His intervention highlighted how restored forests and wetlands not only sequester carbon and reduce flood risks but also create jobs, enhance food security, and empower local communities. Crucially, he emphasized that NBS must go beyond carbon offsetting and be embedded in Africa’s broader development agenda. To achieve this, Mpholle urged negotiators to center Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK), avoid exploitative practices like green washing and land grabbing, and push for scaled-up, predictable financing, especially for adaptation. He also called for stronger technical capacity to monitor and report on NBS outcomes, and for their integration into national and regional development plans.

The momentum continued at Africa Climate Summit 2, held from September 8th to 10th. Youth delegates engaged in high level dialogues, workshops, and networking sessions that deepened their understanding of climate finance, innovation, and continental strategy. The summit provided a rare opportunity for young negotiators to connect across borders, fostering a more unified African position on climate issues. Delegates gained insights into the unique national circumstances that hinder access to climate finance and explored best practices from countries implementing successful climate initiatives.

A standout moment was the launch of two new continental initiatives focused on climate adaptation and youth inclusion. Delegates were also introduced to cutting edge technological solutions, including AI powered climate monitoring tools and mobile platforms for community-based adaptation. These innovations underscored the importance of investing in youth-led climate tech and scaling solutions that are locally grounded and globally relevant.

LMS Supports Youth Climate Advocacy in Schools

On Friday, 12th September 2025, Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) provided technical support to Ms. Itumeleng Matlama, a fourth-year law student at the National University of Lesotho and a passionate climate activist.

Ms. Matlama, who serves as a G17 UAC Ambassador advocating for Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, led a climate awareness presentation at St. Mary’s High School. LMS climate experts supported her in delivering key messages on the causes and effects of climate change, and practical strategies for adaptation and mitigation.

Through this collaboration, students were equipped with essential knowledge about environmental protection and the urgent need for climate action in Lesotho.

This initiative reflects the growing partnership between youth advocates and national institutions in building a climate conscious generation.

When young voices rise for the planet, the future begins to heal.🌎💚🌍