FAO AND SELF HELP AFRICA SUPPORTS CLIMATE INITIATIVES

THE Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with support from Self Help Africa has released over $10 Million United States dollars to implement the Global Environment Facility and Loss and Damage Initiatives.

The two initiatives seek to strengthen Zambia’s resilience to climate change and enhance sustainable environmental management.

Speaking during the launch of the two initiatives in Siavonga district, Green Economy and Environment Minister Mike Mposha said the initiative will help to restore the degraded forests and agro-ecological landscapes.

“These initiatives are crucial especially for regions such as Southern and Central Provinces, which are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability, including prolonged dry spells, reduced rainfall, and rising temperatures. Such impacts directly threaten agriculture, food security, and community well-being,” Mr Mposha explained.

Mr Mposha noted that over fifty-two thousand square meters of Zambia’s land is degraded and unproductive.

“According to recent assessments done under the integrated land use assessment (ILUA) about fifty-two thousand four hundred and fifty-three square meters (52,453 m2) of Zambia’s land is already considered degraded and unavailable for any productive use. The main drivers include unsustainable agricultural practices, late bushfires, wood fuel harvesting and charcoal production,” Mr Mposha noted.

He indicated that the two initiatives would help to facilitate monitoring, evaluation, learning and knowledge for climate change adaptation and improved natural resource management.

“This initiative is designed to strengthen the enabling environment for climate-resilient natural resource management by building institutional and technical capacity, promoting policy coherence, and supporting climate-responsive land-use planning,” Mr Mposha reiterated.

And FAO Country Representative Suze Percy-Fillipine said the two initiatives reflects a shared commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future for all Zambians.

“Let me reiterate that FAO, together with the Government of Zambia, is fully committed to supporting the implementation of these initiatives. By working together, we can transform Zambia’s resilience to climate change, restore degraded landscapes, conserve biodiversity, and build sustainable, inclusive livelihoods for communities across the country,” Ms Percy-Fillipine said.

Meanwhile, Chief Chipepo has called for stronger collaboration between traditional leaders and government to stop the indiscriminate cutting down of trees.

Chief Chipepo has urged the Department of Forestry to scale back the issuance of charcoal production licenses, particularly in Southern and Central provinces, where deforestation rates are alarmingly high.

He noted that this would help to preserve the forests and fight climate change that affects productivity.

“The Department of Forestry must reduce the issuance of charcoal licenses, especially in Southern and Central provinces, where deforestation is at its worst. Protecting our trees is protecting our future, our productivity and the fight against climate change,” Chief Chipepo said.

These initiatives if well implemented will give Zambia a chance to restore land, curb deforestation, build a greener and more resilient future. -NAIS

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