nation a ation · to tackle the challenge of deforestation and forest degradation zambia has...

NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION

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Ministry Of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental ProtectionForestry Department P.O Box 50042 Lusaka, ZambiaWebsite: www.ministryoflands.gov.zm

NATIONAL STRATEGYTO REDUCE

DEFORESTATION AND FOREST

DEGRADATION


2


3

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE

DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD .................................................................................................................... IIACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................IIILIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................IVEXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................V1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1

2. COUNTRY CONTEXT .................................................................................................. 22.1 ForestResources .................................................................................................. 22.2 ForestsandSocio-economicDevelopmentNexusinZambia ............................. 32.3 LandandForestManagementPracticesinSupportofREDD+ ImplementationinZambia .................................................................................... 42.4 ExistingPolicies,LegislationsandPlansinSupportofREDD+ ImplementationinZambia .................................................................................... 42.5 DriversofDeforestationandForestDegradation ............................................ 6

2.5.1 Proximate Drivers ......................................................................................... 62.5.2 Underlying Causes ........................................................................................ 7

3. THE REDD+ PROCESS IN ZAMBIA .............................................................................. 9

4. THE STRATEGY ......................................................................................................... 104.1 Vision ................................................................................................................... 104.2 Mission ................................................................................................................ 104.3 Goal ..................................................................................................................... 104.4 GuidingPrinciples .............................................................................................. 104.5 StrategicObjectives,InterventionsandExpectedResults .............................. 10

5. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS ...................................................................... 255.1 OverarchingConsiderationsfortheLandscapeImplementationApproach . 275.2 InstitutionalArrangements .............................................................................. 275.3 ImplementationLevels ........................................................................................ 275.4 SocialandEnvironmentalSafeguards ............................................................. 295.5 Measurement,ReportingandVerification(MRV) ............................................ 295.6 ForestReferenceEmissionLevels ...................................................................... 315.7 NationalForestMonitoringSystems ............................................................... 315.8 FinancingandFundArchitecture ..................................................................... 31

6. ANNEXES ................................................................................................................. 32Annex1:NestedAttributesofTheSelectedFocalLandscapes ................................... 32Annex2:Zambia’sReadinesstoAddressUNFCCCSafeguards ..................................... 34

LIST OF FIGURESFigure1:ProximateandUnderlyingCausesofDeforestationandForest

Degradation .......................................................................................................... 8Figure2:PriorityFocalLandscapesforREDD+ImplementationinZambia .................... 26Figure3:InstitutionalArrangementsforGHGInventorySysteminZambia ................. 28

LIST OF TABLESTable1:ForestcoverdistributioninZambiacategorisedbyProvinceandYear ............. 3Table 2: STraTegic ObjecTiveS, inTervenTiOnS and expecTed reSulTS ................................ 11


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FOREWORD

Zambia has an estimated deforestation rate of 250,000 to 300, 000 hectares per year. Drivers of deforestation range from wood fuel, agriculture expansion, mining, timber extraction, bush fires to land and infrastructure development. Deforestation and forest degradation is the highest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in developing countries including Zambia. These GHGs are responsible for global climate change.

To tackle the challenge of deforestation and forest degradation Zambia has developed a national strategy. The strategy addresses reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks and sustainable management of forests commonly referred to as REDD+.

The National REDD+ Strategy has been developed on the basis of an integrated natural resources management perspective at landscape level. The Strategy is anchored on widespread stakeholder consultations, communication and knowledge management at national, provincial and district levels. Further, the development of the Strategy benefited from key studies including the drivers of deforestation, economic context of REDD+, the economic valuation of forests and ecosystem services, finance, incentives and benefit sharing opportunities for REDD+. It has also been informed by an analysis of practical issues and key sectors of the economy that contribute to deforestation and forest degradation as well as the draft National Climate Change Response Strategy.

The strategy has provided for the vision, mission, goal, principles, strategic objectives, interventions and expected results. It also provides a framework for Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV), Forest Reference Emission Levels (FREL) and the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) and Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES). The strategy focuses on contributing to national reduction in GHGs by improving forest and land management and ensuring equitable sharing of carbon and non carbon benefits among stakeholders.

Minister

Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This strategy is the result of contributions from the various stakeholders who include traditional leaders, several government departments, Cooperating Partners and individuals who provided enriching critique.

The development of the National REDD+ Strategy was achieved through a broad-based consultative process involving key stakeholders from all provinces of Zambia. The process was aimed at achieving the needs of the nation, at the same time responding positively to the guidance of the international community.

We wish to thank the Cooperating Partners who provided financial support for the consultative process and technical work needed to address drivers of deforestation. Many thanks also to government line Ministries for enriching the REDD+ Strategy development process and the Forestry Department for its facilitating role.

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection


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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

CFM - Community Forest Management

CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

DDCC - District Development Coordinating Committee

EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment

EMA - Environmental Management Act

FREL - Forest Reference Emission Level

FRL - Forest Reference Level

GHG - Greenhouse Gas

GMA - Game Management Area

GRZ - Government of the Republic of Zambia

ILUA - Integrated Land Use Assessment

JFM - Joint Forest Management

LULUCF - Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry

MRV - Measuring, Reporting, Verifying

NAPA - National Adaptation Programme of Action

NBSAP - National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

NCCRS - National Climate Change Response Strategy

NFMS - National Forest Monitoring System

NRCU - National REDD+ Coordination Unit

NTFP - Non Timber Forest Products

PDCC - Provincial Development Coordinating Committee

RAMSAR - Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

REDD+ - Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

REL - Reference Emission Level

RL - Reference Level

SADC - Southern African Development Community

SEA - Strategic Environmental Assessment

SES - Social and Environmental Safeguards

SFM - Sustainable Forest Management

SIS - Safeguards Information System

SNDP - Sixth National Development Plan

UNCBD - United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

UNCCD - United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

UNFCCC - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

ZEMA - Zambia Environmental Management Agency

ZFAP - Zambia Forest Action Plan


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Forests are central to the achievement of a low carbon green economy and sustainable development. In Zambia, forest cover is about fifty (50) million hectares, which is sixty-six percent (66%) of the total land area. However, the deforestation rate in the country, estimated between two hundred and fifty thousand and three hundred thousand (250,000 and 300,000) hectares per annum, jeopardises the attainment of sustainable development goals. In pursuit of its long-term development “Vision 2030“ that emphasizes poverty reduction and development based on “sustainable environment and natural resource management principles” the Government of the Republic of Zambia in 2009 decided to participate in the United Nations collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (UNREDD) Programme by developing countries for addressing drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is a global mechanism established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reduce emissions from tropical deforestation and degradation in developing countries. It is an incentive and performance based mechanism, which includes five activities namely, reducing emissions from deforestation; reducing emissions from forest degradation; conservation of forest carbon stocks; sustainable management of forests; and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Zambia has developed the National REDD+ Strategy focusing on tackling different drivers of deforestation in both the forestry and other identified key sectors in particular, agriculture, energy, mining and infrastructure. The Vision of this Strategy is to contribute to a prosperous climate change resilient economy by 2030, anchored upon sustainable management and utilisation of the nation’s natural resources towards improved livelihoods. Its Goal is to contribute to national reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by improving forest and land management and to ensure equitable sharing of both carbon and non-carbon benefits among stakeholders. The REDD+ Strategy aims at reducing emissions in an effective, efficient, transparent and accountable way, and anchored on fairness and inclusiveness.

The Strategy is guided by seven core principles: effectiveness, efficiency, fairness, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and sustainability. A situation analysis as well as detailed studies on the main drivers of deforestation and forest degradation for Zambia, were a central component in the formulation of strategic objectives and interventions. The strategic


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objectives aim to effectively plan and manage forest resources for increased carbon storage, biodiversity conservation and improved flow of forest generated ecosystem services to local and urban livelihoods by 2030.

The ten strategic objectives of the National Strategy to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation are:

(i) By 2030, threatened and unsustainably managed protected areas are effectively managed and protected to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and contribute to ecosystem services across selected landscapes;

(ii) By 2030 forests in open areas are effectively managed and monitored;

(iii) By 2030 all timber concession areas have management plans that are enforced and monitored with the full participation of local communities;

(iv) By 2030 good agricultural practices that mitigate carbon emissions are adopted;

(v) By 2030 regulated production of wood fuel (charcoal & firewood) and its improved utilisation is in place;

(vi) By 2020 appropriate alternative energy sources are widely adopted;

(vii) By 2020 threatened and ecologically sensitive areas are legislated against extractive and infrastructure development;

(viii) By 2025 mining industry contribute to management of surrounding indigenous forests and establishment of forest plantations for own timber needs;

(ix) By 2025 integrated land-use planning is in place; and

(x) By 2030 relevant institutions are capacitated to enable them to plan, manage, implement and monitor REDD+ initiatives.

The Strategy will be implemented through a landscape approach at watershed level and through policy reforms at national level. It will take into account all land uses in a holistic way, including water and wildlife, and will work to lessen the competition for natural resources among different sectors. The approach ensures that the best possible balance is achieved among a range of different development objectives, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, environment and biodiversity conservation, enhanced economic productivity and improved livelihoods.


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1. INTRODUCTION

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) is a global mechanism established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reduce emissions from tropical deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. It is an incentive and performance based mechanism, which includes five activities namely, reducing emissions from deforestation; reducing emissions from forest degradation; conservation of forest carbon stocks; sustainable management of forests; and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Recognising that deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries is amongst the most significant global sources of carbon emissions, the international community has placed Reducing Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation (also referred to as REDD+) as a critical component of mitigation measures of climate change. REDD+ is an incentive and performance based mechanism, which will allow countries that demonstrate reduction in deforestation and forest degradation to receive support.

The principles of REDD+ implementation as agreed by parties are:

• Country driven and consistent with the objective of environmental integrity and taking into account the multiple functions of forests and other ecosystems;

• REDD+ should be undertaken in accordance with national development priorities, objectives and circumstances and capabilities;

• Respect national sovereignty and be implemented in the context of sustainable development and reducing poverty, while responding to climate change; and,

• Should be supported by adequate and predictable financial and technology support, including support for capacity-building and results-based actions.

Implementation of REDD+ is a three phased process namely; National REDD+ Strategy development, investments in innovative initiatives aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation and payment for the results-based actions.

The Strategy is organised as follows: the first chapter presents the introduction, the second chapter provides the country context, chapter three highlights the development process of the strategy, while chapter four presents the strategic objectives and interventions, and chapter five covers the implementation arrangements.


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2. COUNTRY CONTEXT

Zambia is a landlocked country located in Southern Sub-Saharan Africa with a size of 752,164km2 and a population of thirteen (13) million (CSO, 2010) which is predominantly rural and is expected to double by 2030. It’s economy is primarily driven by mining, agriculture (that includes forestry), construction, and transport and communication sectors (CSO 2012). Between 2000 and 2010, the country experienced economic growth averaging over 5.7 percent per year and 6.8% and 7% in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Despite this steady growth, overall poverty remains high (60%) in 2010, particularly in rural areas (74%). By contrast, poverty in urban areas declined to 35%, further broadening the urban-rural inequality.

Poverty and population increase are two principal underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation in the country. This is due to the fact that rural populations rely heavily on forests for their sustenance and informal economic activities such as charcoal production and sale. A study conducted by Forestry Department (2015) estimates that, when ecosystem services provided by forests are accounted for, forests make a direct contribution to the national economy equivalent to about 4.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, rising to 6.3 per cent with the application of multiplier effects.

2.1 Forest Resources

Zambia’s vegetation is dominated by miombo woodland, which is characterized by open woodland dominated by Caesalpinaceae (pod exploding family) of genera that includes Brachystegia, Julbernardia and Isoberlinia, often associated with different species of grass. Zambian woodlands have a long history of use of wood for timber and fuel, grazing, harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs).

Forests in Zambia cover approximately fifty (50) million hectares, which is sixty-six percent (66%) of the total land area. Twenty two percent occurs in North-western province (Table 1), in the upper Zambezi River watershed, where the source of the Zambezi River is also located at Zambezi Source National Forest. The upper Zambezi River watershed includes sub-catchments or sub-basins of the Barotse, Luangwa and Kafue. High value forests found in open areas in Zambia include the teak (Baikiaea plurijuga) forests in the South-west, the Cryptosepallum (Mavunda) in the North-west (Zambezi basin); the Colophospermum mopane in Eastern and


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Muchinga provinces, (Luangwa sub-basin), in Southern, Western and Central provinces (Zambezi basin and Kafue sub basin); and the Itigi in Muchinga province (Luangwa sub-basin).

Forests in these watersheds are under threat at different scales from mining, industrial and agricultural activities, as well as hydro-power generation which collectively exert a lot of pressure on the country’s indigenous forest resources.

Table 1: Forest cover distribution in Zambia categorised by Province and Year

Province Total Land Area (Ha)

1990 Forest Cover (Ha)



Central 9,439,438 6,002,109 5,232,563 4,913,115 Copperbelt 3,132,839 2,048,808 2,004,202 1,893,522 Eastern 6,910,582 5,201,941 5,110,742 5,128,460 Luapula 5,056,908 3,301,308 3,286,495 3,465,225 Lusaka 2,189,568 1,502,000 1,405,363 1,387,786 MuchingaNorthern 14,782,565 7,700,920 7,692,586 7,323,022 N/Western 12,582,637 9,606,934 9,599,120 9,403,079 Southern 8,528,283 6,001,224 5,161,349 5,101,232 Western 12,638,580 8,426,384 8,403,159 8,433,420 Total 75,261,400 49,791,628 48,141,216 47,048,850

Source: ILUA I, (2008)

2.2 Forests and Socio-economic Development Nexus in Zambia

Forests in Zambia provide both ecosystem services and goods, significantly contributing directly and indirectly to the socio-economic development at both national and household levels. Zambia’s development paradigm as reflected in the various key economic development policies, plans and programmes, recognizes the intricate relationships between forest conditions and their implications for carbon emissions and sequestration, agricultural land productivity, biodiversity conservation, energy, water, industrial and livelihood needs.

Forest products make a significant contribution to rural livelihoods in Zambia as they are a source of fuel, shelter, food, pasture and fodder, medicinal plants and household utility items. In addition, forests provide employment and business


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opportunities (e.g. pit-sawing and trading in wild fruits). Forests provide safety-nets in times when the household is faced with stress and shocks. Furthermore, forests are used as a coping strategy. Therefore, the local people regard the Miombo woodland as a pharmacy, supermarket, a building supply store and a grazing resource (Dewees et al, 2010).

2.3 Land and Forest Management Practices in Support of REDD+ Implementation in Zambia

Zambia has land and forest management practices that offer opportunities to address deforestation and forest degradation that could well support REDD+ implementation in the country. The management practices include the setting up of national and local forest reserves, Joint Forest Management, Community-based Natural Resource Management, Forest Certification, Agro forestry and Conservation Agriculture.

2.4 Existing Policies, Legislations and Plans in Support of REDD+ Implementation in Zambia

The policy and legislative frameworks that will support REDD+ implementation include the following:

a. The Vision 2030: The Vision 2030 sets Zambia’s long-term development vision reflecting the collective understanding, aspirations and determination of the Zambian people to be a “prosperous middle-income country” by 2030;

b. The Revised Sixth National Development Plan (2010-16) is Vision 2030’s operational plan and recognizes the environment as a cross cutting issue and environment mainstreaming as a core programme under the macro-economic chapter of the SNDP;

c. National Policy on Environment (NPE, 2007): The Policy focuses on managing the impact of human activities on the environment that include biodiversity conservation, deforestation, land degradation, air pollution and inadequate management of water resources and water pollution;

d. National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA, 2007): The NAPA is meant to complement the efforts of the government to ensure that the livelihoods of the most vulnerable households are secured against the adverse impacts, risks and shocks as a result of climate change;


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e. The Environmental Management Act (EMA, 2011): The Environmental Management Act (2011) is an instrument that safeguards environmental protection and natural resources management in the country;

f. National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS): The Draft National Climate Change Response Strategy provides a basis for Climate Change mainstreaming in all the sectors;

g. Draft National Policy on Climate Change (NPCC): The National Policy on Climate Change (NPCC - 2012) has been developed to provide a coordinated response to key climate change issues in the country;

h. The National Forestry Policy (2014): The policy provides for a multisectoral approach that underpins the principle of local community and provate sector participation in sustainable forest management. Further, it emphasizes equity and justice that vigorously motivate responsible sustainable forest management;

i. The Forests Acts No. 4 of 2015: The Act recognises carbon as a forest produce and it also provides for important social and environmental safeguards by recognizing the significance of local community knowledge and affirming Community Forest Management, Joint Forest Management (JFM), and Private Forest Management as important interventions to achieve SFM and equitable benefit sharing in forest resources management;

j. Draft National Agriculture policy (2014): The policy explicitly recognizes the significance of climate change adaptation by promoting sustainable agriculture such as conservation agriculture and agro-forestry and linkages to other sectors such as forestry, energy, land use and infrastructure development;

k. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP, 2015): The NBSAP recognizes deforestation as a key threat to biodiversity conservation including plant loss and habitat destruction and it sets up management objectives intended to reduce emissions from deforestation; and

l. Decentralisation Policy (2012) and Implementation Plan (2009): The Decentralisation Policy and Implementation Plan provide for the Government to devolve decision-making authorities, functions, and resources, from the centre to the most local level with matching financial resources.


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2.5 Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation

Studies of drivers of deforestation and degradation have identified agricultural expansion, unsustainable wood fuel production, unmanaged timber extraction, bush fires, mining, land use and infrastructure development as the proximate drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. The underlying causes are underpinned by demographic, economic, technological, policy and institutional as well as cultural causes.

2.5.1 Proximate Drivers

Wood fuel: Charcoal and firewood make up over 70% of the national energy consumption in Zambia as only about 25% of the population has access to electricity. Charcoal and firewood are on high demand for cooking and heating needs at household level both in urban and rural areas respectively. The firewood demand is also high for tobbaco curing, brick curing, as well as fish smoking.

Agricultural expansion: A growing population has led to increased pressure for agricultural land in order to meet national and subsistence food requirements. Agricultural expansion is caused by shifting and extensification of subsistence and commercial farming.

Timber extraction: The demand for timber has over the past few years been exacerbated by the expanding and intensifying construction activities in the country and international demand for valuable timber species. The commonly affected species include Pterocarpus chrysothrix (Mukula), Pterocarpus angolensis (Mukwa), Guibourtia coleosperma (Muzauli/Rosewood), Colophospermum mopane (Mopane), and Baikiaea plurijuga (Zambezi teak) among others.

Uncontrolled and late Bush fires: Most bush fires in Zambia are caused by anthropogenic activities (human caused).

Mining: The expansion of the mining industry has led to clearing of large tracts of forest areas. Further, the mining industry uses large quantities of wood in other production processes and activities.

Land use and Infrastructure development: Uncoordinated land use planning and infrastructure development have contributed to deforestation and forest degradation.


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2.5.2 Underlying Causes

There are a number of underlying causes that lead to deforestation and forest degradation in Zambia. These include high poverty levels, demographic factors, economic and technological constraints, incoherent policy implementation and institutional arrangements.

Poverty: Poverty is identified as the highly ranked driving force behind the proximate drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. The causes of poverty include marginally diversified livelihood options and limited energy sources (Chomba et al, 2012).

Demography: Zambia’s population has tripled in the last three decades resulting in increased demand for wood fuel, agricultural land and timber. Mining and other infrastructure developments are push factors for in-migration of people to areas near the available social amenities resulting in the need for settlement and agricultural land and energy sources all of which lead to forest clearing and carbon emissions.

Economy: The economic fiscal regime structure of Zambia requires incentives to uphold conservation and sustainable use of forests. The result is that community members express preference to transform a standing forest into other economic uses, perceived to be more profitable in the short term.

Policy and Institutional Arrangement: There is inadequate coherence and policy duplication among sectoral policies leading to implementation of these policies in silos compounded by limited institutional capacity and inadequate allocation of human and financial resources to the forestry sector for sustainable forest management.

Technology: Associated with agricultural expansion in Zambia are the technological practices for agricultural production that do not address long-term soil fertility constraints in the prevailing cropping systems. This has led to farmers clearing new land on an annual basis contributing to forest loss.

Charcoal production technology currently uses earth kilns which are inefficient as they require more wood biomass per unit of charcoal produced. In short, the technology has both low conversion and recovery rates.


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Figure 1. gives a graphical presentation of the proximate and underlying drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Zambia.

Figure 1: Proximate and Underlying Causes of Deforestation and Forest Degradation

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Figure 1: Proximate and Underlying Causes of Deforestation and Forest Degradation

3. THE REDD+ PROCESS IN ZAMBIA

The Cancun Agreements (2010) provided for the four key elements that countries

interested in implementing REDD+ were requested to develop. These are:

(a) The National REDD+ Strategy or Action Plan;

(b) National Monitoring System (NFMS);

Agriculture Extensive and unsustainable

crop production practices

Agro-processing reliance on wood

fuel

Agriculture extensification

PROXIM

ATE DRIVERS U

NDERLYIN

G DRIVERS

Poverty Limited income

generating opportunities,

marginally diversified livelihood options,

Limited energy sources

FOREST LOSS

Forestry Uncontrolled harvesting &

encroachment of protected area

Overexploitation and unsustainable harvesting wood in forest reserves and open areas

Energy Demand for Charcoal and firewood as

Energy source

Mining Felling of trees to create space for mining sites and settlements for

labour;

Harvesting of timber for mining

infrastructure; Pollution through

mine effluents

Land use and Infrastructure development

Unplanned Settlements

Urban expansion

Economy Low

employment opportunities Insecure land

tenure

Lack of incentives for

conservation and sustainable

Demography Population

growth

Immigration

Population density

Policy & Institutional

Inconsistences and weak policy

and legal provisions

Poor funding

Low staffing

Technology

Poor technological practices for agricultural production

Inefficient

technologies for charcoal

production


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3. THE REDD+ PROCESS IN ZAMBIA

The Cancun Agreements (2010) provided for the four key elements that countries interested in implementing REDD+ were requested to develop. These are:

(a) The National REDD+ Strategy or Action Plan;

(b) National Monitoring System (NFMS);

(c) Forest Reference Emission level (FRELs)/ Reference Level (RL); and

(d) Safeguard Information System (SIS).

In pursuit of its long-term development vision (Vision 2030) which emphasizes poverty reduction and development based on “sustainable environment and natural resource management principles”, the Government decided to participate in REDD+ in 2009, as an opportunity to directly address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. The Government is concerned with increasing rate of deforestation in the country.

The REDD+ Readiness Process started in 2010 and ended in 2014 which culminated into the development of the national Strategy to reduce deforestation in the country after extensive consultations, which were held among all the 10 provinces of Zambia. A number of in-depth studies and consultative processes were conducted that informed development of this strategy. The REDD+ readiness process has achieved the following key milestones:

a. Completion of the REDD+ Strategy;

b. Forest Reference Emission Level(FREL)/Forest Reference Levels (FRL; and

c. Established a National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)

The strategy was developed on the basis of an integrated natural resources management perspective on landscape level. It was also informed by an analysis of the practical issues and key sectors of the economy that contribute to deforestation and forest degradation as well as the draft National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS).


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4. THE STRATEGY

4.1 Vision

The vision of the strategy is to attain a prosperous climate change resilient economy by 2030 anchored upon sustainable management and utilisation of Zambia’s natural resources towards improved livelihoods.

4.2 Mission

The mission of the strategy is to coordinate efforts aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation through improved management of forests and livelihoods.

4.3 Goal

The goal of the Strategy is to reduce deforestation and forest degradation for sustainable natural resource management, improvement of livelihoods and achievement of a green economy.

4.4 Guiding Principles

The implementation of this strategy is anchored on the following principles:

a. Effectiveness

b. Efficiency

c. Equity

d. Transparency

e. Accountability

f. Inclusiveness

g. Sustainability

4.5 Strategic Objectives, Interventions and Expected Results

To achieve the vision, mission and goals of the strategy the following are the objectives, interventions and activities that will be pursued.


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agem

ent

and

biod

iver

sity

con

-se

rvat

ion

with

in th

e se

lect

ed la

ndsc

ape.

•Li

mite

d co

llabo

ratio

n am

ong

the

key

inst

itutio

ns fo

r jo

int a

ctio

n an

d po

licy

re-

form

s can

be

miti

gate

d by

go

vern

men

t en

hanc

ing

exis

ting

inst

itutio

ns to

co

llabo

rate

in

polic

y im

ple-

men

tatio

n


12

Obj

ectiv

e 1.

B

y 20

30

Thre

aten

ed a

nd u

nsus

tain

ably

man

aged

pro

tect

ed a

reas

are

effe

ctiv

ely

man

aged

and

pro

tect

ed to

redu

ce e

mis

sion

s fro

m

defo

rest

atio

n an

d fo

rest

deg

rada

tion

and

cont

ribu

te to

eco

syst

em se

rvic

es a

cros

s sel

ecte

d la

ndsc

apes

1.2

Enha

ncin

g pa

rtici

-pa

tory

app

roac

hes

to lo

cal f

ores

t m

anag

emen

t.

•Im

prov

emen

t of m

an-

agem

ent o

f sel

ecte

d lo

cal f

ores

ts w

ithin

the

delin

eate

d w

ater

shed

ar

eas w

here

col

labo

-ra

tive

man

agem

ent o

f Lo

cal F

ores

ts sh

ould

be

pro

mot

ed.

1.2.

1 Se

lect

loca

l for

ests

in th

e w

ater

-sh

ed a

reas

bas

ed o

n th

e ec

olog

-ic

al c

onne

ctiv

ity a

mon

g fo

rest

s, w

ater

reso

urce

s and

wild

life

cons

erva

tion

1.2.

2 C

reat

e ap

prop

riate

mul

ti-st

ake-

hold

er fo

ra a

nd c

ivil

soci

ety

in-

volv

emen

t in

fore

st m

anag

emen

t an

d go

vern

ance

issu

es

1.2.

3 D

evel

op a

ppro

pria

te m

odel

s for

C

omm

unity

For

est M

anag

emen

t (C

FM),

Join

t For

est M

anag

emen

t (J

FM) a

nd P

rivat

e Fo

rest

Man

-ag

emen

t (PF

M) a

s adv

ocat

ed fo

r in

the

Nat

iona

l For

estry

Pol

icy

of 2

014

1.2.

4 Pr

ovid

e pe

rfor

man

ce in

-ce

ntiv

e-ba

sed

paym

ents

for

com

mun

ity m

embe

rs in

volv

ed

in th

e ap

prop

riate

CFM

and

JFM

m

odel

s sel

ecte

d

•Ef

fect

ive

fore

st

man

agem

ent t

hrou

gh

ince

ntiv

ised

col

lab-

orat

ive

appr

oach

es

tow

ards

bot

h ca

rbon

an

d no

n-ca

rbon

be

nefit

s

•En

hanc

ed c

apac

ity o

f Fo

rest

ry D

epar

tmen

t fo

r for

est m

anag

e-m

ent a

nd m

onito

ring

thro

ugh

partn

ersh

ips

with

oth

er st

ake-

hold

ers


13

Obj

ectiv

e 2:

B

y 20

30

For

ests

in o

pen

area

s are

effe

ctiv

ely

man

aged

and

mon

itore

d

Stra

tegi

c In

terv

en-

tion

Stra

tegi

c Fo

cus

Stra

tegi

c Act

iviti

esE

xpec

ted

Res

ults

Ris

ks &

Miti

gatio

n St

rate

gies

2.1

Enha

ncin

g pa

rtici

pato

ry

appr

oach

es

and

tradi

tiona

l au

thor

ities

’ rol

e in

fore

st m

an-

agem

ent a

nd

mon

itorin

g of

fo

rest

s in

open

ar

eas.

•A

ddre

ssin

g th

e ne

ed fo

r en

hanc

ed

man

agem

ent

and

mon

itorin

g of

fore

sts i

n op

en a

reas

giv

en

that

app

roxi

-m

atel

y 78

% o

f th

e fo

rest

s in

Zam

bia

occu

r on

cust

omar

y la

nds

unde

r tra

di-

tiona

l aut

horit

y ad

min

istra

tion

with

info

rmal

m

anag

emen

t re

gim

e in

pla

ce.

1.1.

1 D

evel

op v

illag

e/ar

ea le

vel

stru

ctur

es o

rgan

ised

with

cle

ar-

ly d

efine

d ro

les,

resp

onsi

bilit

ies

and

bene

fits f

or c

omm

unity

an

d tra

ditio

nal l

eade

rshi

p pa

r-tic

ipat

ion

in th

e m

anag

emen

t, m

onito

ring

and

enfo

rcem

ent o

f th

e m

anag

emen

t pla

ns o

f the

fo

rest

s in

open

are

as

1.1.

2 D

evel

op a

rea

spec

ific

man

age-

men

t pla

ns

1.1.

3 In

vest

in c

ertifi

catio

n sc

hem

es

for s

usta

inab

le n

atur

al fo

rest

m

anag

emen

t pra

ctic

es fo

r th

e w

oody

and

non

-woo

dy

prod

ucts

giv

ing

the

grea

test

fin

anci

al re

war

ds

•En

hanc

ed c

apac

ity

for m

onito

ring

and

enfo

rcem

ent o

f for

est

man

agem

ent p

lans

in

open

are

as

•En

hanc

ed c

ompl

ianc

e to

pla

ned

fore

st m

an-

agem

ent i

n op

en a

reas

•R

educ

ed e

mis

sion

s

•Im

prov

ed b

iodi

vers

ity

cons

erva

tion

and

eco-

syst

em se

rvic

es


14

1.1

Dev

elop

ing

appr

opria

te

cost

-ben

e-fit

shar

ing

mec

hani

sms f

or

man

agem

ent o

f fo

rest

s in

open

ar

eas.

•D

evel

op

and

impl

emen

t eq

-ui

tabl

e co

st a

nd

bene

fit

shar

ing

mec

hani

sms.

1.1.

1 D

evel

op g

uide

lines

for b

enefi

t sh

arin

g

1.1.

2 D

iver

sify

fore

st p

rodu

cts a

nd

prom

otin

g va

lue

addi

tion

•Ef

fect

ive

man

agem

ent

of fo

rest

s in

open

are

as

cont

ribut

ing

to e

qui-

tabl

e sh

arin

g of

bot

h ca

rbon

and

non

-car

bon

bene

fits

•Th

e in

here

nt ri

sk

is th

at o

f “el

ite

capt

ure”

whe

re

only

a fe

w p

eopl

e m

ight

ben

efit f

rom

ef

fect

ive

man

age-

men

t of f

ores

ts in

op

en a

reas

leav

ing

out t

he m

ajor

ity o

f co

mm

unity

mem

-be

rs.

This

cou

ld b

e m

itiga

ted

thro

ugh

appr

opria

te b

enefi

t sh

arin

g m

echa

nism

s an

d th

eir a

dher

ence


15

Obj

ectiv

e 3:

B

y 20

30

All

timbe

r con

cess

ion

area

s hav

e m

anag

emen

t pla

ns th

at a

re e

nfor

ced

and

mon

itore

d w

ith th

e fu

ll pa

rtic

ipat

ion

of lo

cal c

omm

uniti

esSt

rate

gic

Inte

r-ve

ntio

nSt

rate

gic

Focu

sSt

rate

gic A

ctiv

ities

Exp

ecte

d R

esul

tsR

isks

& M

itiga

tion

Stra

tegi

es

3.1

Invo

lvem

ent

of tr

aditi

onal

le

ader

s and

lo-

cal c

omm

uni-

ties i

n tim

ber

conc

essi

on

man

agem

ent.

•A

ll tim

ber

conc

essi

on

area

s ha

ve m

anag

emen

t pl

ans

that

are

enf

orce

d an

d m

onito

red

with

the

fu

ll pa

rtic

ipat

ion

of

lo-

cal

com

mun

ities

by

20

30St

reng

then

ing

the

capa

city

for

mon

itorin

g an

d en

forc

emen

t of

the

re

gula

tions

.

1.1.

1 D

evel

op

villa

ge-le

vel

man

agem

ent

stru

ctur

es w

ith

clea

rly d

e-fin

ed ro

les a

nd

resp

onsi

bilit

ies

for c

omm

unity

an

d tra

ditio

nal

lead

ersh

ip p

ar-

ticip

atio

n in

the

man

agem

ent

1.1.

2 D

evel

op

mon

itorin

g an

d en

forc

emen

t sy

stem

for t

he

Con

cess

ion

area

s

•En

hanc

ed

capa

city

for

mon

itorin

g an

d en

forc

emen

t of

regu

latio

ns

in c

once

ssio

n ar

eas

•C

ompl

ianc

e to

en

viro

nmen

-ta

l and

soci

al

safe

guar

ds


16

Obj

ectiv

e 4:

B

y 20

30

Goo

d ag

ricu

ltura

l pra

ctic

es th

at m

itiga

te c

arbo

n em

issi

ons a

re a

dopt

ed

Stra

tegi

c In

terv

entio

nSt

rate

gic

Focu

sSt

rate

gic A

ctiv

ities

Exp

ecte

d R

esul

tsR

isks

& M

itiga

tion

Stra

t1.

1 Pr

omot

ion

of su

s-ta

inab

le a

gric

ultu

re

prac

tices

that

en-

hanc

e pr

oduc

tivity

.

•En

hanc

emen

t of

agr

icul

tura

l in

tens

ifica

-tio

n le

adin

g to

redu

ced

freq

uenc

y of

cl

eara

nce

of

fore

sts f

or

incr

ease

d ag

ricul

tura

l pr

oduc

tivity

.

1.1.

1 Pr

omot

e co

llabo

ra-

tion

and

coor

dina

tion

amon

g ac

tors

in th

e ap

plic

atio

n of

sus-

tain

able

agr

icul

ture

pr

actic

es

1.1.

2 Es

tabl

ish

com

mu-

nity

nur

serie

s and

co

nduc

ting

exte

n-si

on se

rvic

es fo

r ap

prop

riate

on-

farm

ag

ro-f

ores

try tr

ee

spec

ies a

nd te

chno

l-og

ies f

or a

gric

ultu

ral

inte

nsifi

catio

n

1.1.

3 Im

plem

ent a

ppro

-pr

iate

sust

aina

ble

agric

ultu

re p

ract

ices

de

mon

stra

tions

to

impr

ove

adop

tion

in

the

targ

et a

reas

•Im

prov

ed

adop

tion

of

agric

ultu

ral

prac

tices

that

re

duce

def

or-

esta

tion

•R

educ

e gr

eenh

ouse

gas

em

issi

ons a

nd

cont

ribut

e to

in

crea

sed

farm

ho

useh

old

inco

mes

•Lo

w a

dopt

ion

of

sust

aina

ble

agri-

cultu

re p

ract

ices

am

ong

farm

-er

s. T

his c

ould

be

miti

gate

d th

roug

h fa

rmer

aw

aren

ess c

am-

paig

ns, s

usta

in-

able

agr

icul

ture

in

cent

ives


17

1.2

Prov

isio

n of

per

for-

man

ce-b

ased

ince

n-tiv

es fo

r sus

tain

able

ag

ricul

ture

pra

c-tic

es th

at m

itiga

te

carb

on e

mis

sion

s.

•En

hanc

e p

er-

form

ance

bas

ed

ince

ntiv

es

to

farm

ers

1.2.

1 D

evel

op fu

nctio

n-al

-bas

ed in

cent

ives

fo

r act

ors i

n th

e va

lue

chai

n fa

rmer

s

1.2.

2 D

evel

op c

riter

ia a

nd

indi

cato

rs fo

r mea

-su

ring

perf

orm

ance

•In

crea

sed

adop

tion

of

sust

aina

ble

agric

ultu

re

prac

tices

•R

educ

ed

natio

nal e

mis

-si

ons f

rom

ag

ricul

ture

•Im

prov

ed fo

od

secu

rity,

farm

ho

useh

old

inco

mes

and

liv

elih

oods

•In

adeq

uate

fin

anci

al re

sour

c-es

to su

ppor

t the

im

plem

enta

tion

of th

e in

cent

ive

mec

hani

sms.

Th

is c

ould

be

miti

gate

d th

roug

h pa

rtner

-sh

ips w

ith th

e pr

ivat

e se

ctor

and

ot

her fi

nanc

ing

agen

cies


18

1.3

Prom

otio

n of

go

od a

gric

ultu

ral

prac

tices

rela

ted

to

redu

ced

emis

sion

s fr

om a

gro-

proc

ess-

ing

depe

nden

t on

use

of w

ood

fuel

fr

om in

dige

nous

fo

rest

s.

•R

educ

e w

ood

fuel

pre

ssur

e on

nat

ural

fo

rest

s for

ag

ro-p

roce

ss-

ing.

1.3.

1 Su

ppor

t est

ab-

lishm

ent o

f fue

l w

oodl

ots t

o ca

rter

for e

nerg

y ne

eds i

n ag

ro-p

roce

ssin

g

1.3.

2 R

egul

ate

use

of

woo

d fu

el fo

r ag

ro-p

roce

ssin

g

1.3.

3 In

cent

ivis

e m

ar-

ketin

g an

d se

ll of

su

stai

nabl

y pr

oduc

ed

agro

pro

duct

s

•R

educ

ed p

res-

sure

on

woo

d fu

el d

eman

d fr

om n

atur

al

fore

sts t

hus

cont

ribut

ing

to re

duce

d na

tiona

l em

is-

sion

s fro

m

defo

rest

atio

n an

d fo

rest

de

grad

atio

n an

d in

crea

sed

inte

grity

of

fore

st.

•Lo

ng g

esta

tion

perio

d of

tree

gr

owth

. Th

is

coul

d be

miti

-ga

ted

thro

ugh

prom

ptin

g of

fast

gr

owin

g sp

ecie

s


19

Obj

ectiv

e 5:

B

y 20

30

Reg

ulat

ed p

rodu

ctio

n of

woo

d fu

el (c

harc

oal &

fire

woo

d) a

nd it

s im

prov

ed u

tilis

atio

n ar

e pu

t in

plac

e

Stra

tegi

c In

terv

entio

nSt

rate

gic

Focu

sSt

rate

gic A

ctiv

ities

Exp

ecte

d R

esul

tsR

isks

& M

itiga

tion

Stra

t

1.1

Impr

ove

syst

ems

and

tech

nolo

gies

fo

r sus

tain

able

and

re

gula

ted

woo

d fu

el p

rodu

ctio

n an

d ut

ilisa

tion.

•En

sure

in

-ce

ntiv

es

for

imp

rov

ed

and

effic

ient

ch

arco

al p

ro-

duct

ion

and

uti

lisa

tio

n te

chno

logi

es.

1.1.

1 D

esig

nate

and

cer

tify

woo

d fu

el p

rodu

ctio

n ar

eas w

ith

clea

r man

agem

ent p

lans

1.1.

2 Pr

omot

e im

prov

ed c

harc

oal

prod

uctio

n te

chno

logi

es a

nd

syst

ems

1.1.

3 B

uild

cap

acity

of c

harc

oal

prod

ucer

s and

loca

l com

mu-

nitie

s

1.1.

4 D

evel

op a

n in

cent

ive

mec

hani

sm fo

r sus

tain

able

w

ood

fuel

pro

duct

ion

and

utili

satio

n

•R

educ

ed

defo

rest

atio

n an

d fo

rest

de

grad

atio

n

•R

educ

ed

gree

n ho

use

gas e

mis

sion

s fr

om c

arbo

ni-

satio

n

•In

adeq

uate

fina

ncia

l re

sour

ces t

o su

ppor

t th

e im

plem

enta

tion

of

the

ince

ntiv

e m

ech-

anis

ms.

Thi

s cou

ld

be m

itiga

ted

thro

ugh

partn

ersh

ips w

ith

the

priv

ate

sect

or

and

othe

r fina

ncin

g ag

enci

es


20

1.2

Prom

otio

n of

en

ergy

-effi

cien

t w

ood

fuel

util

isa-

tion

tech

nolo

gies

.

•Im

prov

e ef

-fic

ienc

y of

w

ood

fuel

ut

ilisa

tion.

1.2.

1 Id

entif

y ap

prop

riate

ene

rgy

effic

ient

tech

nolo

gies

;

1.2.

2 Te

st th

e ap

prop

riate

ene

rgy

effic

ient

tech

nolo

gies

1.2.

3 Sc

ale

up te

sted

ene

rgy

effi-

cien

t tec

hnol

ogie

s


21

Obj

ectiv

e 6:

B

y 20

20

App

ropr

iate

alte

rnat

ive

ener

gy so

urce

s wid

ely

are

adop

ted

Stra

tegi

c In

terv

entio

nSt

rate

gic

Focu

sSt

rate

gic A

ctiv

ities

Exp

ecte

d R

esul

tsR

isks

& M

itiga

tion

Stra

tegi

es

6.1

Prom

otio

n of

al

tern

ativ

e an

d re

new

able

ene

rgy

sour

ces.

•D

iver

sify

-in

g en

ergy

so

urce

s fr

om

firew

ood

and

char

coal

to

en

ergy

ef

fi-ci

ent

sour

c-es

.

6.1.

1 R

esea

rch

and

depl

oy

appr

opria

te e

nerg

y sa

ving

te

chno

logi

es

1.1.

2 Pr

omot

e ap

prop

riate

tech

-no

logy

1.1.

3 Pr

omot

e ap

prop

riate

alte

rna-

tive

sour

ces t

hrou

gh sm

art

partn

ersh

ips w

ith te

chno

logy

de

velo

pmen

t ent

ities

to fa

cil-

itate

wid

er a

dopt

ion.

•R

educ

ed

pres

sure

on

fore

st

reso

urce

s as

a so

urce

of

ener

gy

•R

educ

ed

emis

sion

s

•Lo

w a

dopt

ion

of

alte

rnat

ive

rene

wab

le

ener

gy so

urce

s. T

his

coul

d be

miti

gate

d th

roug

h in

cent

ives

an

d aw

aren

ess.


22

Obj

ectiv

e 7:

B

y 202

0 T

hrea

tene

d an

d ec

olog

ical

ly se

nsiti

ve a

reas

are

legi

slat

ed a

gain

st ex

trac

tive a

nd in

fras

truc

ture

dev

elop

men

t

Stra

tegi

c In

terv

entio

nSt

rate

gic

Focu

sSt

rate

gic A

ctiv

ities

Exp

ecte

d R

e-su

ltsR

isks

& M

itiga

tion

Stra

tegi

es

7.1

Stre

ngth

en e

nvi-

ronm

enta

l leg

isla

-tio

n en

forc

emen

t

•Im

prov

ing

enfo

rce-

men

t of t

he

exis

ting

en-

viro

nmen

tal

legi

slat

ion.

1.1.

1 D

evel

op g

uide

lines

on

ecol

og-

ical

ly se

nsiti

ve a

reas

1.1.

2 Id

entif

y an

d de

sign

ate

ecol

og-

ical

ly se

nsiti

ve a

reas

1.1.

3 St

reng

then

enf

orce

men

t of

prov

isio

ns in

the

natu

ral

reso

urce

s and

env

ironm

enta

l le

gisl

atio

n

•Ec

olog

ical

ly

sens

itive

ar

eas f

ully

pr

otec

ted

and

biod

iver

sity

co

nser

vatio

n an

d ec

osys

tem

se

rvic

es; a

nd,

•R

atio

nalis

ed

natio

nal P

ro-

tect

ed A

reas

sy

stem

miti

-ga

ting

pote

n-tia

l lan

d us

e co

nflic

ts a

nd

cont

ribut

ing

to g

ood

fore

st

gove

rnan

ce.


23

Obj

ectiv

e 8:

B

y 20

25

Min

ing

indu

stry

con

trib

ute

to th

e m

anag

emen

t of s

urro

undi

ng in

dige

nous

fore

sts a

nd e

stab

lishm

ent

of fo

rest

pla

ntat

ions

for o

wn

timbe

r nee

ds

Stra

tegi

c In

terv

entio

nSt

rate

gic

Focu

sSt

rate

gic A

ctiv

ities

Exp

ecte

d R

esul

tsR

isks

& M

itiga

tion

Stra

tegi

es

8.1

Enco

urag

ing

the

min

ing

indu

stry

to

inve

st in

fore

st

plan

tatio

n es

tab-

lishm

ent

Mot

ivat

e m

inin

g in

dust

ry

to

pro-

mot

e th

e es

tab-

lishm

ent

of f

ores

t pl

anta

tions

to m

eet

its o

wn

timbe

r and

fu

el w

ood

need

s.

8.1.

1 Pr

ovid

e ex

tens

ion

serv

ices

and

pa

rtner

ship

s th

at su

ppor

t es

tabl

ishm

ent

of p

lant

atio

ns

Red

uced

pr

essu

re o

n in

dige

nous

fo

rest

Min

ing

indu

stry

may

be

unw

illin

g to

inve

st in

fore

st

plan

tatio

ns.

This

cou

ld b

e m

itiga

ted

thro

ugh

awar

enes

s an

d pa

rtner

ship

s

Obj

ectiv

e 9:

In

tegr

ated

land

-use

pla

nnin

g in

pla

ce b

y 20

25

Stra

tegi

c In

terv

entio

nSt

rate

gic

Focu

sSt

rate

gic A

ctiv

ities

Exp

ecte

d R

esul

tsR

isks

& M

itiga

tion

Stra

tegi

es

9.1

Dev

elop

ing

inte

grat

ed la

nd

use

plan

s tha

t ar

e co

mpa

tible

w

ith su

stai

nabl

e m

anag

emen

t of

fore

sts.

•En

sure

in

tegr

ated

la

nd u

se p

lans

are

co

mpa

tible

w

ith

sust

aina

ble

man

-ag

emen

t of f

ores

ts

1.1.

1 C

ondu

ct m

ulti-

stak

e-ho

lder

lan

d us

e pl

anni

ng

1.1.

2 En

forc

e zo

ning

pro

-vi

sion

s and

land

use

re

stric

tions

.

•La

nd u

se p

lans

th

at a

re c

om-

patib

le w

ith

sust

aina

ble

fore

st

man

agem

ent a

nd

othe

r com

petin

g la

nd u

ses

•U

ncoo

rdin

ated

ap

proa

ch to

the

im-

plem

enta

tion

of th

e la

nd u

se p

lans

. The

m

itiga

tion

mea

sure

w

ould

be

impr

oved

co

ordi

natio

n at

all

leve

ls.


24

Obj

ectiv

e 10

: B

y 20

30

R

elev

ant i

nstit

utio

ns c

apac

itate

d to

ena

ble

them

to p

lan,

man

age,

impl

emen

t and

mon

itor

RE

DD

+ in

itiat

ives

Stra

tegi

c In

terv

entio

nSt

rate

gic

Focu

sSt

rate

gic A

ctiv

ities

Exp

ecte

d R

esul

tsR

isks

& M

itiga

tion

Stra

tegi

es

10.1

Stre

ngth

en in

stitu

-tio

nal a

nd st

akeh

olde

r ca

paci

ties t

o im

ple-

men

t and

mon

itor

RED

D+

•In

stitu

tiona

l an

d st

akeh

old-

er c

apac

ities

to

impl

emen

t an

d m

onito

r R

EDD

+ ar

e st

reng

then

ed.

1.1.

1 B

uild

cap

aci-

ties i

n re

leva

nt

inst

itutio

ns in

M

easu

ring,

R

epor

ting

and

Verif

y-in

g (M

RV),

reso

urce

m

obili

satio

n an

d po

licy

impl

emen

ta-

tion,

safe

guar

d in

form

atio

n sy

stem

, sta

ke-

hold

er e

n-ga

gem

ent a

nd

acco

unta

bilit

y ad

here

nce.

•Va

rious

key

pl

ayer

s cap

acita

t-ed

to e

ffect

ivel

y im

plem

ent a

nd

mon

itor R

EDD

+ in

Zam

bia.

•In

adeq

uate

fina

n-ci

al re

sour

ces t

o co

nduc

t the

cap

ac-

ity b

uild

ing.

Thi

s co

uld

be m

itiga

ted

thro

ugh

prio

ritis

-in

g an

d in

crea

sing

fu

ndin

g to

war

ds

fore

stry

sub-

sect

or


25

5. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

REDD+ implementation will be focused on tackling different drivers of deforestation in relevant sectors, namely: forestry, agriculture, water, wildlife, energy, mining and infrastructure, among others. The Strategy will be implemented through a landscape approach. The identified priority focal landscapes are:

a) Zambezi watershed;

b) Kafue watershed; and

c) Luangwa watershed

Nested within these focal landscapes are protected forest areas (national and local forests), open areas, national parks, game management areas, wetlands, rivers, agricultural land, mining, infrastructure developments, human settlements, with governance structures including traditional authorities. At jurisdictional level – Provincial Development Coordinating Committees (PDCCs), District Development Coordinating Committees (DDCCs) and Area Development Committees (ADCs). Annex 1 provides a summary of nested characteristics of each of the selected focal landscapes.

This approach takes into account all land uses in a holistic way and promotes integrated natural resources management among different sectors. Further, it ensures that the best possible balance is achieved among a range of different development objectives, including climate change, environment and biodiversity conservation, enhanced economic productivity and improved livelihoods.


26

Figu

re 2

sho

ws

the

prio

rity

foca

l la

ndsc

apes

for

RED

D+ i

mpl

emen

tatio

n Za

mbi

a. T

he fi

gure

is fu

rthe

r ela

bora

ted

in A

nnex

I.

Figu

re 2

: Prio

rity

Foca

l Lan

dsca

pes f

or R

EDD+

Impl

emen

tatio

n in

Zam

bia


27

Figu

re 2

: Prio

rity

Foca

l Lan

dsca

pes f

or R

EDD+

Impl

emen

tatio

n in

Zam

bia

5.1 Overarching Considerations for the Landscape Implementation Approach

Landscapes are the physical and biological attributes of an area. They include institutions, people, cultural and spiritual values of the area. The overarching considerations for the implementation approach are:

(a) the optimal balance between the objectives of carbon emission reduction, productivity enhancement and livelihood improvement;

(b) mapping the key ecosystem and human well-being connectivity within the selected landscape; and

(c) Continued and growing supply of goods and services while mitigating carbon emissions.

5.2 Institutional Arrangements

REDD+ initiatives will be implemented using existing institutions and structures working together to respond to the multi sectoral nature of REDD+. The institutional arrangements include government and traditional institutions, working side by side with cooperating partners, private sector, Civil Society Organisations and local communities in implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting REDD+ activities.

Coordination: The implementation of the Strategy will be coordinated within the ambit of the National Climate Change institutional coordination mechanism, once established, through the Committee of Ministers, National Committee of Permanent Secretaries, and the National Technical Committee on Climate Change. In the interim, the Inter-Ministerial Climate Change Secretariat would coordinate the implementation of the REDD+ Strategy.

5.3 Implementation Levels

Forestry Department: Forests are the fulcrum of the REDD Initiatives. Therefore, the Forestry Department will be the lead institution for the implementation of the Strategy through the National REDD+ Coordination Unit (NRCU) and will have the overall responsibility for REDD+ implementation to ensure integrated and holistic approach in close collaboration with the relevant key sectors. The core functions of the NRCU include planning, co-ordination, monitoring and reporting (Figure 4). The NRCU will further provide methodological guidance on REDD+


28

activities including Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV). The MRV will be consistent with the established national Greenhouse Gas (GHG) National Inventory System.

Regional Level: At the provincial and district levels, the Forestry Department will take the role of the NRCU and promote REDD+ in Provincial Coordinating Committees (PDCC) and District Coordinating Committees (DDCC).

Community Level: At community level the existing governance structures will be used to facilitate REDD+ implementation. The District Forestry Officers working with other sectors will support the work of the local and village committees to achieve the objectives of sustainable forest management.

Figure 3 provides diagrammatic presentation of the implementation levels of REDD+ in Zam

Figure 3: Institutional Arrangements for REDD+ Implementation in Zambia


29

5.4 Social and Environmental Safeguards

REDD+ is a performance and incentive based system that requires adequate safeguard mechanisms, hence the need to develop and implement a robust safeguard system. In developing the robust safeguard information system, the following will be taken into account:

(a) Policies, laws and regulations and strategies that support social and environmental safeguards are addressed and respected; and

(b) Build on the existing institutional frameworks.

Annex II outlines Zambia’s readiness to address UNFCCC Safeguards.

5.5 Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV)

The institutional arrangements for MRV for REDD+ will be consistent with the National GHG Inventory System of the Country (Figure 4). Forestry Department will be responsible for compiling information for Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) and thus will need to establish a functioning quality control (QC)/quality assurance (QA) system for LULUCF reporting.

In order to facilitate period preparation of GHG inventory Zambia has developed a institutional arrangements for the GHG inventory management system consisting of the Ministry of Lands Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (MLNREP), for overall policy guidance and reporting to UNFCCC; Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) as an overall inventory coordinating institution, and GHG sector lead institutions responsible for GHG Inventory Preparation. The sector lead institutions are Department of Energy, Department of Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Forestry and Department of Local Government responsible for inventory preparation in Energy, Industrial Processes, Agriculture, Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry, and Waste Sectors respectively. The functions of the GHG Management system are provided as follows:

i. Activity data collection from data providers prior to the inventory preparation;

ii. Activity data formatting and documentation and Quality Control in accordance with GHG Inventory Preparation Guidelines;


30

iii. Extraction of emission factors from the IPCC 1996 Guidelines, documentation and Quality Control in accordance with GHG Inventory Preparation Guidelines;

iv. Preparation of estimates of the inventory and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC); and

v. Reporting to the UNFCCC through National Communication.

Figure 4: Institutional Arrangements for GHG Inventory System in Zambia

27

Figure 3: Institutional Arrangements for GHG Inventory System in Zambia

5.6 Forest Reference Emission Levels

In developing Forest Reference Emission Levels or Forest Reference Levels

(FRELs/FRLs) in Zambia, the following were taken into account:

a. Consistency with the national REDD+ strategy;

b. A stepwise approach, allowing improvements over time;

c. Enabling sub-national activities and programmes;

d. Meeting both national and international objectives;

e. Consistency with the national GHG inventory;

f. Consistency with UNFCCC guidance;

g. Consistency with the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS);

5.7 National Forest Monitoring Systems

The National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS) has been decentralised to all provinces

and will be managed by the cross-sectoral team from forestry, agriculture and planning

sectors providing a decentralised hub of MRV expertise. The Provincial Geographical

Information System (GIS) laboratories will provide near real-time spatial data on


31

5.6 Forest Reference Emission Levels

In developing Forest Reference Emission Levels or Forest Reference Levels (FRELs/FRLs) in Zambia, the following were taken into account:

a. Consistency with the national REDD+ strategy;

b. A stepwise approach, allowing improvements over time;

c. Enabling sub-national activities and programmes;

d. Meeting both national and international objectives;

e. Consistency with the national GHG inventory;

f. Consistency with UNFCCC guidance;

g. Consistency with the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS);

5.7 National Forest Monitoring Systems

The National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS) has been decentralised to all provinces and will be managed by the cross-sectoral team from forestry, agriculture and planning sectors providing a decentralised hub of MRV expertise. The Provincial Geographical Information System (GIS) laboratories will provide near real-time spatial data on deforestation and forest degradation which can be relayed to the central national forest monitoring laboratory, through the NFMS web portal, to inform national reporting.

5.8 Financing and Fund Architecture

The financing of REDD+ will be based on national climate change financing framework. Guidelines and procedures will be provided on the administration of the fund. Potential sources of financing for REDD+ activities in Zambia include domestic, private, bilateral and multilateral donors.


32

6. ANNEXES

Annex 1: Nested Attributes of The Selected Focal Landscapes

KEY ATTRIBUTES

FOCAL LANDSCAPE

Zambezi Watershed

No. and Est. total area (Ha)

Kafue Watershed


Luangwa Watershed


Total Area (Ha)

National forests 73 (2,306,975) 67 (1,829,003) 31 (1,427,492) 171 (5,563,470)

Local forests 49 (934,464) 37 (543,393) 68 (227,178) 154 (1,705,035)

National parks 6 (1,420,794) 3 (2,232,082) 7 (1,711,971) 16 (5,364,847)

Game Mgmt. Areas

13 (7,795,622) 11 (3,394,910) 11 (5,115,435) 35 (16,305,967)

Sub-total Area (ha)

12,457,855 7,999,388 8,482,076 28,939,319

Designated wetlands (includes rivers, swamps, dambos, etc.)

43 (2,104,634)

Includes the Zambezi Headwaters

31(1,793,089)

Includes the Kafue, Lamba and Lusitu Headwaters

19 (140,389)

Includes the Mkushi Headwaters

83 (4,038,112)

Agricultural activities

Smallholder cassava, sorghum, tobacco and livestock based system practising slush and burn agriculture and use of wood for fish processing and tobacco curing.

Commercial sugar plantations, extensive smallholder and commercial maize and livestock based system practising clear-cutting of trees for farm sites and use of wood for tobacco processing.

Key extensive smallholder farming area of Zambia with highest diversity of crops (maize, cotton, tobacco, groundnuts) and livestock practising clear-cutting of trees for farm sites and use of wood for tobacco curing.

-

Mining activities Copper, cobalt and uranium mining and extensive explorations

Key Copper and gemstone mining area of the country

Small scale mining of gemstones

-


33

Traditional authorities

Well organised traditional authority at village and chiefdom levels with a King in western part of the watershed.

Well organised traditional authority at chiefdom level

Well organised traditional authority at village and chiefdom levels with two paramount Chiefs in the eastern part of the watershed.

-

Large infrastructure developments

Mines; Hydropower stations: Kariba, Victoria Falls, Batoka Gorge, Kabompo Gorge and Zengamina (at Kalene Hills); road networks.

Mines; Hydropower stations: Itezhi-tezhi and Kafue Gorge; Sugarcane plantations; road networks

Agro-processing industries developments on going, Mulungushi and Mita hills Dams, Pia-Manzi hydropower station; road networks.

-

Key threats to forests, biodiversity and other ecosystem services

• Intensified mining

• Agricultural expansion

• Projected increase in settlements from in-migration due to mining

• Intensive dependence on unregulated wood and NWFP extraction for livelihoods

• High poverty levels

• Intensified mining

• Increased demand for industrial and road infrastructure

• Urbanization (population pressure) and charcoal demand

• Relative high competing demands for water abstraction

• Continued watershed degradation due to agricultural expansion as main source of livelihoods

• Continued river siltation due to watershed degradation

• Intensified charcoal production

• High poverty levels

-


34

x 2: Zambia’s Readiness to Address UNFCCC Safeguards

UNFCCC Safeguard

Existing Relevant PLR and Conventions/Agreements

1. Consistency with the objectives of national forest programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements

1.1 At national level: the strategic objectives on forestry in this strategy are in line with the programmes contained in the Zambia Forest Action Plan (ZFAP, 1998-2018), Zambia’s overarching framework for forest management. They are also in line with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP, 1995); the NAPA, 2007; NCCRS, 2011; Sixth National Development Plan (2011-2015) and Decentralization Policy Implementation Plan (2009-2013).

1.2 At regional level: the strategic objectives are consistent with the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and at sub-regional level: with the SADC Protocols on Forests, Water, Wildlife, Fisheries, Agriculture, Energy and Trade.

1.3 At international level: the strategic objectives are consistent with international conventions to which Zambia is signatory: UNCBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC, CITES and Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (RAMSAR Conventions).


35

UNFCCC Safeguard


2. Transparent and effective national forest governance structures

2.1 The draft Forest Policy (2010) and Forest Bill (2014), currently earmarked to be ratified within the first quarter of 2015, promulgate transparent and improved forest governance through promotion of Community Forest Management (CFM), Joint Forest Management (JFM) and Private Forest Management (PFM) with a strong involvement of traditional authorities in forest decision-making particularly on customary lands. They also promulgate creation of an equitable benefit sharing system within the forestry sector. However, while carbon is recognized as a forest product in both policy and legislation, both instruments have yet to clarify carbon rights and ownership within the context of CFM, JFM and PFM.

2.2 As part of forest and climate change governance in Zambia the government has established an Inter-Ministerial Climate Change Secretariat to coordinate all climate change actions at national level and a REDD+ Coordination Unit with the Forestry Department to oversee REDD+ implementation.

2.3 Forestry Department has established a decentralized NFMS with 10 laboratories at provincial level across the country, manned by groups of trained cross-sectoral technicians from forestry, agriculture and planning sectors providing a decentralized hub of MRV expertise. This local expertise will provide near real-time spatial data on deforestation and forest degradation. The NFMS is linked to a web portal for easy reporting and transparency purposes. This innovative approach is in-line with the decentralization policy of the Government.

2.4 At sub-regional level (SADC), Zambia has ratified the Protocol against Corruption (2001) and at national level Zambia has established an Anti-Corruption Commission, an independent body to investigate corruption and prosecute offenders.

2.5 REDD+ to reinforce the roles of Provincial Development Coordinating Committees (PDCC)s, District Development Coordinating Committees (DDCCs) and Area Development Committees (ADCs) as effective implementers/coordinators of REDD+ activities at sub-national level. This is in line with Zambia’s Decentralization Policy.

2.6 Zambia to consider setting up an independent body to certify consultants undertaking SEAs and EIAs to safeguard against conflict of interest on the part of development proponents hiring and paying own consultants to undertake SEAs and EIAs.

2.7 Zambia to consider establishing an independent Timber Inspection Unit to monitor timber concession license compliance and timber conveyance.

2.8 Zambia to consider contracting (by open tender) an independent body to manage the Safeguards Information System to be developed and be responsible for reporting.


36

UNFCCC Safeguard


3. Respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities

3.1 Both the Environmental Management Act (2011) and draft Forest Bill (2014) recognize the importance of indigenous knowledge and rights of local communities in the sustainable management of Zambia’s natural resources. Important forest-based indigenous knowledge systems with wider application include: herbal medicines; wild foods; uses of timber; use of thatch grass and other grasses, i.e. bamboo, reeds and papyrus, handicrafts and cultural uses in traditional ceremonies, and respect for burial sites. The promotion of CFM, JFM and PFM in the Forest Bill is a reflection of the importance the Zambian government attaches to the knowledge and rights of local communities.

3.2 Enacted in 1989, the National Heritage Conservation Act provides for the conservation of ancient, cultural and natural heritage, relics and other objects of aesthetic, historical, pre-historical, archaeological or scientific interest.

3.3 At sub-regional level (SADC), Zambia has ratified the Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport (2001) which recognizes respect for indigenous and local community rights and cultures.

4. Full and effective participation of stakeholders especially indigenous peoples and local communities

4.1 The National REDD+ Coordination Unit (NRCU) has developed a Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement Plan (SAEP) to ensure that all relevant stakeholders including local communities are effectively involved in all phases of REDD+ development in the country. This has involved province-wide stakeholder consultation meetings and key sector stakeholder consultation workshops. The SAEP builds upon policy provisions on stakeholder participation reflected in the National Policy on Environment, the draft Climate Change Policy, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the draft Forest Policy and the Decentralization Policy Implementation Plan.

4.2 The CFM, JFM and PFM models promulgated in the draft Forest Policy (2010) and Forest Bill (2014) as well as the EIA provisions in the Environmental Management Act (2011) are supposed to take into account:

• The social economic impact of the project, such as resettlement of affected people;

• Socio-economic and cultural considerations such as effects on generation or reduction of employment in the area, social cohesion or resettlement, local economic impacts; and

• Effect on land uses and land potential in the project area and surrounding areas.

4.3 Zambia to use the REDD+ process to develop specific FPIC guidelines for REDD+ project proponents, whether private or public, on how to operationalize FPIC principles in their initiatives. Zambia to use the REDD+ process to develop specific FPIC guidelines for REDD+ project proponents, whether private or public, on how to operationalize FPIC principles in their initiatives.

4.4 Building upon the experiences with the Benefit Distribution System (BDS) in the wildlife sector, Zambia to use the REDD+ process to develop a BDS that is fair and equitable to all stakeholders in order incentivize their effective participation in REDD+ activities.


37

UNFCCC Safeguard


5. Consistency with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity

5.1 The strategic objectives of this Strategy are all intended to promote conservation of forests and biological diversity through reduced emissions from sectors considered as key drivers of deforestation and forest degradation: Agriculture, Energy, Forestry, Mining, Land use and Infrastructure development.

5.2 As signatory to the UNCBD, Zambia’s strategic objectives are consistent with its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).

6. Actions to address the risks of reversals

6.1 Zambia’s Environmental Management Act (2011) already provides a comprehensive set of provisions for social and environmental safeguards. This includes clauses on EIAs and SEAs, public redress mechanism and the right to sue. However, enforcement of the Act is weak. Strictly enforcing the EMA (2011) with its clauses for SEA, EIA, public consultation and redress mechanisms, will be important, also to build the required capacities amongst national players to implement the safeguard system required under REDD+.

7. Actions to reduce displacement of emissions

7.1 Zambia to promote non-carbon benefits as short-term incentives to reduce displacement of emissions

7.2 Zambia to develop benefit sharing guidelines under REDD+


38


39

Ministry Of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental ProtectionForestry Department P.O Box 50042 Lusaka, ZambiaWebsite: www.ministryoflands.gov.zm

NATIONAL STRATEGYTO REDUCE

DEFORESTATION AND FOREST

DEGRADATION

nation a ation · to tackle the challenge of deforestation and forest degradation zambia has...

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