Zambia is part of the over 200 World leaders who have converged in Glasgow for the United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP26 to agree on how to step up universal action to solve the climate catastrophe.
Nearly 30 years ago, global leaders came together to collectively address climate change and for the first time signed a climate convention that commit each to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
From that time, parties have been meeting annually to discuss the progress and challenges apart from the year 2020 where the meeting was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The ongoing Conferences of Parties (COP26) that commenced on October 31st to November 12th will among other things review progress on their commitments under the Paris Agreement’s goal of keeping global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson opened the Summit and described it as world's moment of truth.
Other renowned leaders present are Joe Bidden of America and COP6 President Alok Sharma among others.
COP26 President Sharma explained that the agreement would be tougher than what was achieved in Paris five years ago, when almost all the world's nations agreed a treaty to "pursue efforts" to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5C.
Domestically, President Hakainde Hichilema accompanied by a lean delegation is also attending the COP26 that is expected to be held on the African soil next year.
Despite having revised the August 14th 2015 forest Act, Zambia is faced with shocks of climate change due to indiscriminate cutting down of tress in all the 488 forest reserves.
The Act among other things provides for the conservation and use of forests and trees for the sustainable management of forests ecosystems and biological diversity; implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa and any other relevant international agreement to which Zambia is a party.
This Act and other pieces of legislations are being used to curb the negative effects on the environment that has seen Zambia ranked 1st in Africa and 5th globally where deforestation is concerned.
Delivering his inaugural speech at COP26 in Scotland President Hichilema called for adequate and predictable financing to developing countries so that they tackle the global challenge of climate change.
The Head of State underscored that the positive outcome of the summit was a must to address the shocks of climate change.
“Climate Change is making it difficult for developing countries to address high poverty levels. We need support from Developed countries with appropriate technologies to deal with climate change and cut Greenhouse emissions,” President Hichilema stressed.
The Head of State underscored that the ‘New Dawn’ administration has shown commitment by creating the Ministry of Green Economy as one of the ways of tackling environmental related issues.
Further, Government in 2020 committed 2 million hectors of land for restoration under the Afri100 programme which advocates for African countries to committee the parcel of land for afforestation or reforestation as well as regeneration.
Similarly, environmentally focused firms like World Wide Fund for Nature Zambia (WWF) are implementing a number of programmes that include the Forest Landscape Restoration Project in Silowana Complex that covers Sesheke and Sioma District of Western Province.
WWF Zambia Forest Landscape Restoration Project Coordinator Abel Siampale reaffirmed that the organization will continue implementing the project with like-minded firms and government to preserve the natural resources.
Mr Siampale expressed happiness with the progress of the project in Western Province where communities are educated on the need to conserve the natural resources through sustainable use of forest products.
“The 1.2 million euros Five years Forest Landscape Restoration Project taking place in Western Province runs from 2020 to 2024 and is yielding positive results. People are putting what we are teaching them to reality, they have identified areas for regeneration and they are no longer cutting trees or timber logs indiscriminately in the complex,” he said.
Apparently, the Barotse Royal Establishment says forest restoration is key to the rejuvenation of habitat for wild animals and the fight against climate change.
Kaunga Mashi palace Induna Ibola in Sioma district reaffirmed that the traditional leadership remains resolved to working with stakeholders such as World Wide Fund for Nature Zambia to restore the local forests that have faced depletion over the years.
Induna Kwatumba Mangolwa cited the Forest Landscape Restoration Project (FLR) being implemented by WWF Zambia and government as among the well -tailored climate programmes that will restore nature.
“We and the community are being trained in forest fire management and sustainable utilization of the forest products, a thing which is being keenly followed. The rain cycle and the ozone layer have been disturbed by the indiscriminate cutting of trees for timber and other uses and restoration is the way to go,” he stressed.
And Induna Mutoma recollected that before independence until 1975, trees were intact and things started falling apart when people started expanding the crop fields.
Induna Agness Mukuku explained that most of the tree species of high value are depleted and it’s not too late to halt the retarding activity.
She was quick to mention that the coming in of the project, the traditional leadership will work closely to restore what has been depleted for the benefit of the current and generations to come.
Some residents of Sioma and Sesheke districts in Western Province have realized that local solutions are an answer to restore nature and halt further loss of natural resources.
Susan Sibeso and Mulima Simasiku of Sesheke and Sioma districts say there are a lot of products in the forest that the community can benefit from, unlike cutting trees indiscriminately.
Ms Sibeso, who has been extracting cooking oil from Mungongo fruits, explained that the edible oil being extracted is pure and scientifically proven to be fit for human consumption by relevant authorities.
She pointed out that the extraction of the cooking oil will be easier for several people due to the propelling machines that (WWF Zambia) will soon empower them with.
“The cooking oil from Mungongo is really nice and we stopped buying from the shops. Therefore, cutting down trees is the thing of the past because of the high value that certain tree species have. For Now, I extract the oil manually but very soon WWF is giving us machines,” she explained.
For Mulima Simasiku, beekeeping using the modern beehives is the smartest way of making money.
Mr Simasiku, underscored that he no longer labors to secure school fees because he sells the honey at a lucrative price, a thing he emphasized others should be emulated in the community.
“I no longer use the barks we used to extract from trees because that is tantamount to killing a tree and thanks to WWF under FLR Project that are supporting us with modern and climate friendly bee hives,” he stressed.
Government allocated K8.8 billion in the 2022 National Budget in order to combat hash effects of climate change. Of the allocated amount, K971.9 million will go towards climate change adaptation programmes and projects.
On November 3rd a coalition of strong 190 countries agreed to both phase out coal power and end support for new coal power plants.
The no coal campaign led by the United Kingdom has led to major banks committing to end financing coal, on top of China, Japan, Korea and the G20 commitments to end overseas finance for coal generation by the end of 2021.
Countries that have announced the complete phase out of coal power include Chile, Vietnam, Poland, Indonesia and South Korea among others.
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