GOVERNMENT’S CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE INITIATIVES By Tibaire Emmanuel UNV/CCFU 1

Outline Introduction Policy and legal framework Institutional framework Zambia’s Climate Change Activities Adaptation vs Mitigation Some thoughts/suggestions 2

Introduction Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing issues affecting sustainable development The problem requires a global response which can not be postponed This is because the cost of in-action now could prove catastrophic for humanity in future The international community adopted an international environmental Agreement (the UNFCCC) to deal with climate change in 1992 Zambia is party to both the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol; Government ratified the UNFCCC on 28 th May 1993 and the Kyoto protocol on 7th July

Policy and Legal Framework Currently, Zambia does not have a specific policy document on climate change The process of developing a National Policy on CC was initiated at a stakeholder Consensus building workshop in May In the meantime, CC response has been guided by the FNDP which recognised it as a challenge, and, now, the SNDP which considers it a cross cutting issue Both documents call for measures to address this challenge 4

Policy and Legal Framework The SNDP also advocates for the mainstreaming of CC in the major sectors of development (climate proofing) Climate change is provided for under the National Policy on Environment It is also provided for in several environment related sector policies, projects and programmes 5

Institutional framework MTENR is the focal institution for the convention on CC and its Kyoto protocol, thus it provides the coordinatory role for the implementation of both instruments Since Climate Change is a cross cutting issue, MTENR works in collaboration with various stakeholders MTENR has put in place a number of initiatives to address CC Established the Climate Change Facilitation Unit (CCFU) as an interim measure to spearhead the implementation of immediate activities on CC 6

Zambia’s Climate Change Activities Through the CCFU, the country has implemented a no of activities including the following: development of a National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) – completed but needs refining, adoption, dissemination and implementation Conducting public awareness on climate change Formulation of guidelines and preparation of delegates for effective participation in international conferences on climate change Coordination and facilitation of analytical works on climate change including the following: -Assessment of economics of climate change- completed -Climate change needs and information gap assessment- completed Communication and Advocacy Strategy- draft 7

Zambia’s Climate Change Activities Cont…. Nominated the MFNP for accreditation to the Adaptation Fund Board as National Implementing Entity for the Adaptation Fund- to enable the country to Access this global fund Work is underway to develop a National Climate Change Programme 8

Adaptation Vs Mitigations There are basically two main approaches in dealing with the problem of climate change 1. Reducing emissions of GHG emissions into the atmosphere-(Mitigation) 2. Devising ways and means of adjusting to the adverse effects of climate change by reducing community’s vulnerability-(Adaptation) Zambia considers Adaptation a preferred option, but attaches significant importance to mitigation in contributing to the global fight against climate change 9

Adaptation On adaptation, Government has developed the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) The NAPA identified the most vulnerable sectors of the economy and recommends intervention measures So far, one project has been developed from the NAPA titled, “Adaptation to climate change in agro- ecological zone I and II” There’s need for sector institutions to take up the challenge and develop projects from the NAPA document Activities of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit –relief food, resettlement, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure etc Implementing the PPCR, with support from the World Bank 10

Mitigation Prepared the Initial National Communication, an inventory of Zambia’s GHG emissions by sinks and sources in 2004 In the process of developing the Second National Communication Facilitating the implementation of CDM projects- currently has one registered CDM project (Lusaka Sustainable Energy Project ) 11

Mitigation cont… Implementing the pilot UN-REDD programme – providing incentives to forest dependent communities so they can embrace sustainable natural resource management and utilisation practices Promoting sustainable land use practices-through conservation farming Reviewing the current environmental legislation to develop a more robust law with stringent punitive measures for environmental abuse offences 12

Coordination of CC Activities The creation of CCFU was an interim arrangement CCFU Mandate soon expiring A new institutional framework has been proposed in the National Climate Change Response Strategy Expected to be operational by beginning of

Some thoughts… Climate change has the capacity to reverse gains made in poverty reduction and development if no immediate action is taken The need for action is urgent and further delay will be catastrophic and more costly Local adaptation actions are effective for sustainable livelihoods among rural communities Individual efforts like avoiding deforestation, tree planting, pre-soaking hard foods before cooking, e.tc, can be important steps Environmental considerations are not a cost to economic growth, We can be green and still grow 14

THANK YOU 15