Zambia Marks Milestone with New Carbon Agreement to Boost Forest Conservation and Community Livelihoods
Zambia has taken a major step in advancing climate action and sustainable development with the signing of a Nested Emission Reduction Performance Agreement-NERPA between the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and BioCarbon Partners-BCP.
The agreement, which formally nests the Luangwa Community Forests Project into the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme-EP-JSLP, was described by Minister of Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha who was represented by his permanent Secretary Douty Chibamba as “a significant milestone in our collective journey to promote sustainable land management and equitable climate benefits.
Dr. Chibamba highlighted that the programme is expected to generate 28.9 million tonnes of carbon credits, with revenues shared as 55 percent to communities, 30 percent to private developers, and 15 percent to government and programme operations.
The Permanent Secretary was speaking when he officiated the signing of a Nested Emission Reduction Performance Agreement-NERPA between the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and BioCarbon Partners-BCP held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka.
He also revealed that the ministry has secured USD 30 million from the World Bank for the purchase of 3 million tonnes of verified carbon credits, which will be allocated transparently to Bio-Carbon Partners based on their performance in key mitigation initiatives.
“The nested emission reduction performance agreement is a key instrument designed to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency in the generation, trading and distribution of carbon benefits,” Dr. Chibamba said.
And the World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, said the signing represents “a key milestone in advancing Zambia’s climate and sustainable development goals, particularly in Eastern Province.
Dr. Fock noted that the programme, launched in 2024 with support from the World Bank and global partners, integrates sustainable land management, conservation, community development, and climate mitigation.
He emphasized that the strengthened public-private partnership will “expand conservation activities, increase community participation and deliver tangible livelihood benefits, stressing that ongoing collaboration is essential for lasting emission reductions.
“Strong partnerships between government, the private sector and international partners are essential for achieving meaningful emission reductions and sustainable livelihoods,” Dr. Fock said, adding that continued collaboration will help scale innovative solutions, improve food security, support economic growth and ensure a resilient future for Eastern Province and Zambia as a whole.
Meanwhile, BioCarbon Partners-BCP Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Mudaly says the agreement demonstrates confidence in the organisation’s high-integrity, community-centred REDD+ model.
“It shows that effective climate solutions are possible when government, communities and the private sector work together,” Mr.Mudaly said.
Mr. Mudaly also announced community payments totalling USD 3.05 million to 30 chiefdoms for the 2023 verification period, covering over 2.1 million hectares of forest.
Delivering a vote of thanks on behalf of other traditional leaders, Chieftainess Msoro of Mambwe District said carbon market revenues were already improving local livelihoods and reinforcing forest protection.
The traditional leader thanked the government, through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, for implementing the programme and described the signing as “a milestone in the life of communities in the province,” noting that it will translate climate action into tangible and lasting benefits for rural households.
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