GABORONE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Botswana has started swapping out fossil-fuel-powered groundwater pumps in its wildlife areas for solar-powered ones, according to a government official.

The pumps are used to water wild animals in the better northern part of the southern African country known for its magnificent flora and fauna and currently rely on diesel generators, said Botswana's Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism Philda Kereng.

"To ensure consistent water availability for wildlife in the area, we are currently switching from diesel-operated pump systems to the more reliable, efficient and economical solar operated pump systems," said Kereng when addressing Botswana's House of Chiefs Friday.

To date, four boreholes have been converted from diesel to solar. These installations will ensure consistent water supply unlike with diesel-operated engines which require continuous refueling and maintenance, said Kereng.

The just ended 26th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow, Scotland saw nearly 200 nations reaching an agreement with an unprecedented reference to the role of fossil fuels in the climate crisis.

The latest landmark climate science report, published by the UN in August, called for emissions to roughly halve by 2030 and for the world to reach net zero by mid-century to have any hope in keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius. Enditem

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