The National Policy on Environment proposes a broad range of objectives and measures aimed at responding to key environmental issues and challenges. The Policy serves not only as a practical guideline for sustainable environmental management, but also demonstrates Zambia’s commitment to the principles of intergenerational equity, sustainable utilisation and conservation of natural resources, environmental protection, poverty alleviation, and the promotion of social justice. The Policy is a revision of the 2007 National Policy on Environment and responds to emerging environmental, governance, socioeconomic, and technological changes. The revised Policy aims to improve access to environmental and climate finance, strengthen decentralised governance and decision-making, and address deforestation, forest degradation, biodiversity loss, wildlife depletion, and air, land, and water pollution. The specific objectives of the Policy are (i) strengthening the sustainable utilisation of natural resources by promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns; promoting the application of green and circular economy principles; encouraging conservation and participatory management in the utilisation of natural resources; and supporting alternative environmentally friendly technologies, including nature-based solutions and practices that promote sustainable environmental management; (ii) strengthening the implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures through adaptation and mitigation initiatives across different ecosystems; enhancing the national greenhouse gas accounting system; and domesticating and implementing climate change-related environmental agreements; (iii) promoting the sustainable management of biological diversity, ecosystems, and natural resources by enhancing ecosystem and natural resource surveillance and mapping; strengthening collaborative land restoration and land degradation neutrality programmes; promoting environmentally friendly infrastructure; protecting habitats, ecosystems, cultural and heritage sites, and biodiversity through participatory approaches; enhancing access and benefit-sharing mechanisms; strengthening environmental and social safeguards; regulating biosafety and genetically modified organisms; promoting indigenous and local knowledge; and preventing and controlling invasive alien species; (iv) enhancing measures to prevent, control, and manage pollution by strengthening environmental compliance and enforcement; improving environmental management tools; developing strategies for sound chemicals and waste management; strengthening waste management systems; and enhancing measures for the prevention, control, and monitoring of water, air, and land pollution; (v) strengthening stakeholder participation in environmental governance at all levels by facilitating the devolution of environmental functions; integrating environmental management across governance systems; strengthening inter-agency coordination and stakeholder participation; building governance capacity; promoting integrated planning and management of natural resources and the environment; and improving access to and management of environmental information; (vi) strengthening the legal and institutional framework for environmental management through the harmonisation of environmental legislation; development of new environmental laws where necessary; enhancement of the institutional framework for environmental management; and strengthening coordination mechanisms among relevant institutions; (vii) enhancing resource mobilisation and investment for sustainable environmental management by harmonising and operationalising environmental funds; promoting innovative financing mechanisms and investments in environmental management; and encouraging environmental entrepreneurship; (viii) increasing public education and awareness on environmental management by expanding environmental education and public awareness; improving access to environmental information; and strengthening environmental education across all levels of the school curriculum; (ix) promoting integrated planning for sustainable land use and utilisation of natural resources; strengthening responses to environmental and health emergencies; enhancing environmental health surveillance and prevention systems; and promoting the rehabilitation of degraded environments; (x) promoting sustainable environmental management for the health and welfare of persons, animals, plants, and the environment by enhancing skills development in environmental research; strengthening research capacity; and promoting interdisciplinary and applied environmental research; (xi) strengthening the basic and applied research needed to support sustainable environmental management by enhancing skills development in environmental research; strengthening research capacity; and promoting interdisciplinary and applied environmental research; (xii) promoting transboundary management of natural resources and the environment by strengthening participation and coordination in regional initiatives and procedures for transboundary conservation areas and shared watercourses; facilitating assessments of transboundary conservation areas and developments that could affect ecosystems; strengthening the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements; and promoting the monitoring and enforcement of transboundary policies by regional bodies; and (xiii) integrating gender, youth, and persons with disabilities into environmental management at all levels by enhancing the participation and involvement of vulnerable groups in environmental management; promoting the co-production of solutions tailored to environmental challenges; and improving vulnerable groups’ access to environmental information and environmental benefits.
Замбия · 2025-01-01