By Annie Mulenga
As Zambia continues to experience the devastating effects of climate change evidenced by the 2023/2024 farming season drought, persistent load shedding, and recurring floods in Lusaka, it becomes increasingly clear that human behaviour plays a significant role in exacerbating these challenges.
Deforestation caused by rampant tree cutting, pollution from industrial emissions, and improper waste management, including littering, all contribute to environmental degradation. These behaviours accelerate climate change, leading to soil erosion, air and water contamination, and increased flooding.
Recognising the urgent need for action, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), through the Facility for Action on Climate Empowerment to Achieve the Nationally Determined Contributions (FACE-NDC), has launched a critical initiative aimed at tackling climate change by addressing human behaviour.
The FACE-NDC project, funded by IKI Germany and implemented by FAO, the Ministry of Green Economy, UNESCO, UNITAR, Copperbelt University (CBU), and the University of Zambia (UNZA), recently trained 45 volunteers from 26 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
According to Tiwine Machipa, Digital Content Specialist for FACE-NDC, this training aimed to educate participants on how human behaviour contributes to climate change and how a shift in mind-set can lead to more sustainable practices. The training, which concluded on February 27 in Lusaka, marked the successful completion of the project’s first three co-horts, laying the foundation for future capacity-building initiatives.
For years, climate change discussions have focused on mitigation techniques and technological solutions, often overlooking the most powerful tool, behavioural change. FACE-NDC seeks to bridge this gap by emphasizing the science of behavioural transformation as a key strategy in achieving Zambia’s climate goals.
Project Coordinator for FACE-NDC Vincent Ziba, explained that the project identifies activities that contribute to high levels of emissions and deforestation, particularly in forestry, energy, and other human-driven sectors.
“These practices have stood the test of time, making them difficult to change. However, through behavioural science, we are focusing on mind-set transformation to encourage the adoption of climate-friendly behaviours, ultimately driving Zambia towards its NDC commitments,” Mr Ziba said.
Mr Ziba assures that more initiatives are in the pipeline, particularly in academia.
“We will soon be training students at both UNZA and CBU in Masters and PhD programmes focusing on forestry, energy, and agriculture,” he revealed.
The project is also working alongside the Zambian government to integrate behavioural science into climate change mitigation efforts. In collaboration with UNESCO, FACE-NDC supported the development of a new curriculum that incorporates climate change education with a greater emphasis on practical skills.
“We continue working with the Ministry of Education to ensure that learning materials and syllabuses are enhanced to include behavioural science within climate change discussions,” Mr Ziba emphasized.
Beyond national efforts, FACE-NDC is connecting local organizations to global best practices by offering mentorship opportunities and partnerships with international institutions such as UNGA and UNFCCC ACE. This will empower local NGOs to amplify their voices on global climate platforms.
Among the trained participants was Simplewa Siyawanta, Executive Director of Climate Change Education, whose organization recognises behavioural change as an often-overlooked yet vital tool in climate mitigation. His NGO focuses on educating youths, seeing them as key agents of change.
However, Mr Siyawanta highlighted a crucial challenge of funding.
“Many climate change NGOs, including mine, struggle with financial constraints. We urge the government to invest in these organisations to strengthen climate action efforts,” he appealed.
Another trainee, Noah Chongo, Executive Director of Climate Change Protection Zambia, works to educate the youth in Shibunji, Kabwe, and Lusaka on climate change and sustainable behaviours, says, “Our organisation spreads awareness on climate change and promotes sustainable practices. With the knowledge gained from this training, I am confident that by 2030, climate change discussions in Zambia will take a new, more optimistic direction,” Mr Chongo stated.
Behavioural change is proving to be a game changer in climate change mitigation. By shifting mind-sets and fostering sustainable habits, Zambia can make significant strides toward environmental resilience and sustainability.