By Jeff Kapembwa
The Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM IH) has invested a staggering ZMW1 million into climate-action related activities as global campaigners amplify the call for sustained resilience against multiple headwinds.
The diversified investment holding company, managing the Zambian government’s minority and majority mining and energy assets, had during the financial year ending 31 December 2025, invested ZMWK1.1 million in multiple climate related investments, as part of its resilience and corporate social responsibility related activities in areas of operation.
The holding company, invested in among other environmental and social responsibility initiatives, impacting more than 17,000 people, installed solar energy systems in various parts of the country including Mapatizya and a solar powered bore-hole in Zimba, in Southern Zambia.
It joined in the country’s reforestation agenda and partnered with various players on climate resilience tree-planting programs. It introduced over 1,600 indigenous and fruit trees across the Lusaka and Rufunsa districts.
It executed a climate-resilience tree-planting programme, planting over 1,600 indigenous and fruit trees (including contributions at Chansanje Primary School in Rufunsa and Levy Mwanawasa Medical University in Lusaka, among other areas in the country.
In January this year, ZCCM IH launched its tree-planting initiative at Nchanga Secondary School of Academic Excellence in Chingola and Lubuto Health Centre in Ndola, as part of the Company’s ongoing tree-planting programme targeting 1,000 trees in Chingola and 750 trees in Ndola across various institutions.
The initiative forms part of ZCCM-IH’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda, which seeks to promote reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience in the communities where the Company operates.
ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer, ZCCM-IH Chief Technical Officer, Tisa Reuben Chama, stressed the importance of collective action in protecting and preserving the environment.
Chingola, Mayor, Mr. Johnson Kango’mbe, highlighted the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and addressing the effects of global warming.
ZCCM IH launched a transformative tree-planting initiative at Chibwika Primary School in Chief Chibwika’s Chiefdom, Mwinilunga District, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and community empowerment.
In partnership with Zambia Gold Company Limited, Kamushinshi Mineral Resources Ltd, and the Chibwika Chiefdom Development Trust (CCDT), the initiative by the holding company, is expected to see over 1,000 fruit and indigenous trees planted across nine schools in the district.
ZCCM IH envisions to participate and help in strengthening climate resilience, promoting household and school-level food security and the restoration and protection of local biodiversity in the country.
The company’s commitment to spearheading climate action and green investments in Zambia has been enhanced through renewable energy deployment, rural solar infrastructure, and sustainable financing investments.
ZCCM-IH partnered with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to form Renewable Energy and National Infrastructure (ZNEC), a special-purpose vehicle focused on accelerating solar and renewable power deployment.
Under ZNEC, efforts are underway in installing small-scale solar power plants (2 MW per constituency) across 156 constituencies to build localized energy security and clean power access Green Bonds and Solar Investments.
ZCCM-IH had also invested in Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) Renewables and supported local green bond listings on the Lusaka Securities Exchange to fund nationwide solar and wind energy projects.
There are Installations of solar-powered boreholes and off-grid renewable systems at rural health facilities and clinics (such as in Zimba District and Mapatizya) to replace fossil-fuel reliance and build local climate resilience.
It is partnering with companies like KoBold Metals at the Mingomba copper deposit to unearth minerals vital for the global electric vehicle and clean-energy transitions as part of the country’s Critical Minerals Partnership.