PRESS RELEASE_EPJSLP UPDATE ON MRV HOT SEASON_PC_Approved
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment
Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme-EP-JSLP
PRESS REALEASE
(For Immediate Release)
EP-JSLP CONCLUDES 2026 HOT SEASON ENERGY MONITORING ACROSS 15 DISTRICTS OF EASTERN PROVINCE
Chipata, Zambia, 04th November, 2026-The Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EPJSLP) has successfully completed its 2026 Hot Season Energy Data Collection and Monitoring exercise in all 15 Districts of Eastern provinces, targeting Household and institutions (schools, restaurants, hospitals, lodges etc to assess fuelwood (firewood and Charcoal consumption), strengthen forest conservation and promote clean energy adoption.
As part of the monitoring exercise, Eastern Province Principal Forest Officer (PFO) Catherine Zulu led the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) team responsible for overseeing monitoring activities in Chipata, Chadiza and Vubwi districts.
Her role together with other (QA/QC) team in other Districts involved coordinating and supervising data collection teams, ensuring adherence to established data collection procedures, and verifying the accuracy, completeness, consistency and reliability of the information collected.
During the monitoring, the team also visited Chizongwe Provincial STEM School in Chipata to assess its energy consumption patterns and progress in adopting cleaner energy alternatives.
Ms. Zulu was accompanied by EP-JSLP Communications Officer Creavat Chituta, MRV Hot Season Energy Data Collection Team Leader for Chipata District Rebecca Mwale, and Anita Nambeya, an Extension Officer from the Ministry of Agriculture.
The school’s Headteacher, Ronald Mugara, disclosed that the institution, with approximately 986 pupils, has significantly reduced its dependence on fuelwood due to a stable electricity supply.
Mr. Mugara explained that electricity is particularly important in the boarding section for meal preparation and supporting practical learning activities.
He revealed that three of the school’s five electric cooking pots are operational, contributing to reduced firewood consumption.
However, he appealed for the rehabilitation of the school’s biogas facility, constructed by the Ministry of Energy in 2022, to provide an alternative energy source and further reduce reliance on fuelwood.
Mr. Mugara also highlighted the school’s commitment to environmental conservation through its active environmental club and acknowledged the Forestry Department’s support through the provision of agroforestry seedlings.
And the Teacher in Charge of Boarding, Mr. Richard Mweenda, described biogas as a cleaner and cost-effective energy alternative, noting that its rehabilitation would reduce operational expenses and the risks associated with firewood use.
Meanwhile, PFO Catherine Zulu commended the school for reducing fuelwood consumption and promoting environmental conservation.
Ms. Zulu emphasised the importance of involving learners in conservation activities to nurture a generation committed to protecting natural resources, while reaffirming her office’s commitment to continued collaboration and support.
The province-wide MRV exercise aimed to strengthen EP-JSLP’s Monitoring, Reporting and Verification system by collecting and verifying reliable greenhouse gas emissions and removals data across the Agriculture, Energy and Land Use sectors.
The collected data will be analysed to support accurate emissions quantification, inform evidence-based decision-making and guide effective climate change mitigation strategies, while contributing to the 2026 Emissions Reporting and Monitoring (ERM) process.
The EP-JSLP is implemented by the Government of Zambia through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, with support from the World Bank.
Issued by:
Creavat Chituta (Mr)
Communication Officer
Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP)
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment
Contact: creavatchituta@epjslp.org.zm