By Jeff Kapembwa
Zambia has stepped efforts to operationalise a law on climate change amid heightening El Nino induced floods, low rainfall and other weather variabilities threatening global growth.
The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment has stepped up efforts to actualise the Green Economy and Climate Change Act, 2024 (Act No. 18 of 2024), assented into law by President Hakainde Hichilema on 20 December, 2024.
The comprehensive legislation officially commenced on 10 October, 2025.
Authorities have since pushed the legislation into top gear and issued a Statutory instrument, a form of secondary (or delegated) legislation.
This according to legal experts, allows a government minister or designated authorities to create, update, or enforce detailed rules, regulations.
This is to ultimately to order under powers previously granted by an Act of Parliament (primary legislation).
This arguably entails that Zambia may soon operationalize the law and ensure it among others, compel the Government to finance the budget, adequately and ensure all climate related operations are resolved expeditiously.
“We have made headways and we have signed an SI to ensure various processes are carried out since climate change is now law,” Patrick Tembo, one of the experts formulating the actualization said in Lusaka.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Second National Summit on Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Management in Lusaka, themed: “Strengthening Community Resilience Through Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Environmental Management”, Mr. Tembo is optimistic.
He says Zambia was nearing the quest to accelerate the Green Growth Strategy, among others, was insight as adduced by the accelerated attempts and actualizing and operationalization op the law.
The lack of an operationalized law in Zambia, leaves the country vulnerable to various El Nino induced factors including drought. The lack of it has hindered the Government progression to effective implement the 2024-2030 Green Growth Strategy, and other pieces of legislations relating to environmental protection.
The absence of a dedicated legal and policy framework to enforce climate action resulted in several key challenges:
Agriculture, energy, have been left vulnerable to climate change and forced the country to remain food insecure.
Deforestation & Land Degradation has taken root in Zambia for lack of stringent enforcement of sustainable land-use and charcoal-production policies exacerbated ecosystem degradation and local climate variations, all needing to be guided under the law.
And officiating at the summit that attracted various players in the climate change space and sponsored by Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), a faith-based environment campaigner, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Douty Chibamba challenged players to remain watchdogs as climate change was a reality and need collective actions.
He noted that while the Government was resolved to redressing the climate change impact as espoused under the international obligations under various multilateral environmental agreements and global climate commitments, policy alone was not enough.
It called for plans that he said will reverse the recurring damage to the ecosystem and ensure sustainability was encouraged.
“Policy commitments alone are not enough. we must accelerate implementation and translate our plans into tangible actions that improve the lives of ordinary citizens” Dr. Chibamba said in a speech read on his behalf, adding.
“This requires strengthening institutional capacities, mobilising adequate climate finance, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and ensuring that adaptation measures reach communities that are most vulnerable to climate impacts.”
And JCTR executive Director Gabriel Mapulanga challenged interest groups to think through and devise durable solutions to the crisis in collaboration with Government for actions that will help redress the impact on the ecosystem.
“He diversity of voices represented here is one of our greatest strengths because effective climate adaptation requires the contribution of all sectors of society.” Father Mapulanga said calling for collective action.
“let us move beyond identifying problems and focus on building partnerships and solutions that strengthen community resilience, protect our environment, and contribute to zambia’s sustainable development.”