Zimbabwe is affected by direct and indirect impacts of climate change. It has experienced severe livestock losses due to recurring droughts, heatwaves, and tropical cyclones, such as Cyclone Idai, which resulted in flooding and landslides in 2019. The livestock sector plays a crucial socio-economic role, especially for rural livelihoods and food security. Cattle, owned by 88 percent of smallholder farmers, are the most important livestock species.

Simultaneously, livestock-related activities contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions in Zimbabwe’s Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector. Emissions result from forest land conversion to grassland and methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management systems.