Mozambique Can Construct More Climate Resilient Buildings, New IFC Report Says

The report found that while Mozambique demonstrates a high level of awareness to climate risks, it has yet to implement a full-fledged policy and legal framework for building climate-resilient buildings. The report also found that construction companies in Mozambique often struggle to access financing, and that construction materials are largely imported, factors that are hampering the development of climate resilient buildings in the country. 

The report was presented in Maputo this month at an IFC-organized roundtable on climate resilience for Mozambique that convened policy makers, industry specialists, construction companies, international developers, insurance companies, and UN Habitat.

Climate-resilient buildings are those designed and constructed to withstand and adapt to the impact of climate change and other environmental challenges, minimizing damage and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The Mozambique report was developed using IFC's Building Resilience Index (BRI), a hazard mapping and resilience assessment framework for developers, homebuyers, and other stakeholders that aims to enhance the overall climate adaptation of cities.

Mozambique is the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to benefit from the BRI. The framework, which was first adopted by the Philippines, has also been used in Vietnam, Colombia, and Mexico.