Samuel Mbewe
Chongwe, Zambia – Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) President George Tembo has called on the Zambian government to explore additional regions of the country with potential for carbon trading, an initiative that could significantly benefit local communities and contribute to the global fight against climate change.
Speaking at the official opening of the 8th CBNRM Conference in Chongwe, Tembo emphasized that many areas in Zambia are rich in natural resources that could be harnessed for carbon trading, which involves the sale of carbon credits generated by sustainable land and forest management practices. He urged the government to widen the scope of the initiative to include more communities, allowing them to reap the rewards of sustainable resource management.
“It is crucial that we expand the scope of this initiative to ensure that more communities benefit,” Tembo said, highlighting the importance of inclusive participation in global climate change mitigation efforts.
The conference discussions, which focused on Zambia’s sustainable development goals, resource conservation, and community participation, reflect the country’s increasing commitment to tackling climate change. With the recent introduction of the Climate Change Bill and ongoing dialogue on the future of carbon trading, Zambia is positioning itself as an emerging player in the global carbon market.
In his remarks at the event, Minister of Green Economy Mike Mposha underscored the importance of the Climate Change Bill No. 18 of 2024 in addressing the challenges facing carbon trading in Zambia. He acknowledged that one of the major hurdles has been the lack of transparency in the carbon trading system, particularly in the distribution of revenues generated from the sale of carbon credits.
“One of the major obstacles in carbon trading has been the absence of clear and transparent systems for sharing the proceeds from carbon credits,” Mposha explained. He revealed that traditional leaders, local communities, and even the government had not been receiving adequate information about the financial benefits arising from carbon trading.
The new Climate Change Bill, along with other regulatory measures, aims to create a more transparent framework for carbon credit transactions. Mposha assured that the bill would help establish a system that ensures a fair distribution of the proceeds, particularly benefiting communities most affected by climate change.
“The new bill will establish a framework that makes carbon trading more accountable, ensuring that the proceeds are distributed fairly, so that those who are most affected by climate change can see direct benefits,” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister of Land and Natural Resources, Sylvia Masebo, highlighted the importance of safeguarding Zambia’s natural resources to ensure that they continue to provide benefits to local communities. She emphasized that conservation efforts are not only vital for environmental sustainability but also for the well-being of the communities that rely on these resources for their livelihoods.
“It is essential that we conserve our resources not only for the environment but also for the well-being of the communities that rely on them for their livelihoods,” Masebo said, reiterating the government’s commitment to balancing environmental protection with socio-economic development.
As Zambia works towards developing a more robust and transparent carbon trading system, the ongoing efforts to engage local communities and ensure their active participation in climate change mitigation hold the potential to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all Zambians.
The discussions at the conference are a clear indication of Zambia’s increasing focus on sustainable development, resource conservation, and equitable participation in global climate change mitigation efforts.
With the introduction of the Climate Change Bill and continued dialogue on the future of carbon trading, Zambia is positioning itself as a key player in the fight against climate change while ensuring that local communities are not left behind in the process.
