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The absence of affordable green technologies and innovations have hindered climate change adaptation in Zambia while limiting access to clean energy, says Policy Monitoring and Research Centre (PMRC).
In its submission for the 2024 national budget framework, PMRC proposed enhanced promotion of green technologies and innovations.
According to PMRC, lack of policy and legal framework for climate change adaptation and mitigation had led to absence of green growth strategy, limited awareness and education about environmental protection as well as the absence of affordable green technologies and innovations.
“Promoting green technologies and innovations in Zambia is expected to have a transformative impact by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating climate change, creating sustainable economic opportunities, improving access to clean energy, and enhancing environmental sustainability for present and future generations,” PMRC submitted.
It also stated that a national climate change policy in Zambia was expected to have a positive impact by providing a strategic framework for addressing climate change challenges.
Th policy, according to PMRC was also expected to promote sustainable development, protecting vulnerable communities, and guiding effective mitigation and adaptation measures.
It also stated that promoting environmental education and awareness in Zambia was expected to have a significant impact by fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
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“It will also increase knowledge about environmental issues, promoting sustainable practices, and empowering individuals and communities to actively participate in environmental conservation efforts,” the think tank submitted.
On the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA), PMRC submitted that there was need to review the Trade and Industrialisation policies in order to be harmonised with the agreement.
It pointed out that Zambia’s domestic implementation of the agreement had been slow and that there was a lack of public awareness about it as well as its potential benefits.
According to PMRC, the AfCFTA held potential to aid the growth of Zambia’s trade in the medium to long term by providing access to larger markets.
“Various domestic processes must take place including updating of tariff books, gazetting changes to customs legislation and ensuring that the necessary documentation requirements and processes (e.g. applications for rules of origin certificates) are in place,” it submitted.
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