THE final draft of the national Climate Change Policy, which aims to provide the framework for the introduction of climate protection measures, is expected to be ready by the end of this month. The draft policy was compiled following consultations with stakeholders in the climate sector and consultant tasked with its drafting have a September 30 deadline to present the document. Meteorological Services Department director Dr Amos Makarau said the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Oppah Muchinguri is keen on the finalisation of the policy. "It is being done by the Department on Climate Change but what I know is that the consultant is putting final touches to it. But there is a deadline that by the end of September the draft policy should be ready," said Dr Makarau. When completed and passed the policy is expected to be incorporated into every sector as Government recognises that the effects of climate change are cross-cutting. "The Minister has indicated that she wants this as early as possible so according to the Ministry the Climate Change Policy should be available by the end of September so that we incorporate this into every sector," said Dr Makarau. Zimbabwe lies on the same belt with Namibia and Botswana, which both have vast swathes of desert and this heavily exposes the country to desertification as weather extremes become more severe and much more prolonged. As Zimbabwe's weather undergoes metamorphosis, with the traditional rainfall season shifting, Government is intensifying measures to mitigate the effects of climate change. According to a 2015 /16 national climate outlook released by the Meteorological Department last Friday there is a likelihood of normal to below normal rainfall this season. The Meteorological Department said there is need to enhance rainfall this season through intensifying the national cloud seeding programme in light of the below normal rainfall expected. The policy is expected to incorporate areas such as the national adaptation plan, technology action plan, finance, a knowledge management and capacity building component. It will enable the country to respond in a strategic way to the impact of climate change.