All aspects of life in Mozambique, including the business sector, are vulnerable to climate change.The country has been identified as one of the most vulnerable in Africa to the changes brought about by global warming.It also has huge potential – the World Bank has identified Mozambique as having the most potential in southern Africa to grow economically over the next decade.For this to happen the country will need to adapt to the realities of climate change.In 2000, Mozambique was hit by four cyclones.It has a coastline of about 2 700 kilometres, with more than 60% of its population of 22 million living in coastal areas.Foreign exchange earnings from the export of fossil fuels are likely to stagnate as the world moves away from coal.Banks are shying away from investment in new mines, and Brazilian mining giant Vale has put its Moatize coal mine in Mozambique up for sale as the company moves to become “carbon-neutral” by 2050.Despite this, it increased coal production by 92% over the first quarter of 2021 following the completion of maintenance work.Freight hauled on the Moatize-Nacala line increased by 65% to 126 000 tons quarter on quarter, according to the company.It carries both general freight and coal.
