Sambia

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, including conservation, forest management and enhanced carbon stocks (REDD+), is an evolving international climate finance mechanism that may provide considerable sustainable development opportunities for developing countries.

THE extreme weather and climatological changes happening around the world are having a profound impact on the population and the ecosystem, says the Zambia Institute of Environmental Management.

ZIEM chief executive officer Morgan Katati said the changes such as floods, heatwaves and droughts presented a vivid image of the direction the world was heading to.

THE Zambia Institute of  Environmental  Management (ZIEM) has  called for  equity  and transparency  in the  utilisation of the  Green Climate  Fund  to enable  developing countries   effectively  manage the effects of climate  change.
ZIEM executive director Morgan Katati said developing countries such as Zambia should be supported by countries which are major culprits when it comes to emissions.
He was speaking to journalists at the on-going climate change conference in South Africa.

THE United Nations says it will closely monitor all the funds it will give Zambia for climate change projects.

And the UN has given Zambia US$4.5 million for the implementation of the UN-REDD plus project.

In an interview, United Nations Development Plan (UNDP) environment finance advisor for Africa Josep Gari said corruption was undermining the country’s development.

Gari said the UN would set up an anti-corruption initiative to ensure that the funds were put to good use.

UNDP Programme Officer, Samuli Leminen, highlights REDD+ progress in Zambia since the UN-REDD Programme Policy Board approved US$4.5 million for the country’s national REDD+ strategy.