National Strategy to Reduce Deforestation and Forest Degradation

NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION

NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND Ministry Of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection FOREST Forestry Department P.O Box 50042 Lusaka, Zambia Website: www.ministryoﬂands.gov.zm 1 DEGRADATION NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION

2 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD...... II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...... III LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS...... IV EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... V 1. INTRODUCTION...... 1 2. COUNTRY CONTEXT...... 2 2.1 Forest Resources...... 2 2.2 Forests and Socio-economic Development Nexus in Zambia...... 3 2.3 Land and Forest Management Practices in Support of REDD+ Implementation in Zambia...... 4 2.4 Existing Policies, Legislations and Plans in Support of REDD+ Implementation in Zambia...... 4 2.5 Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation...... 6 2.5.1 Proximate Drivers...... 6 2.5.2 Underlying Causes...... 7 3. THE REDD+ PROCESS IN ZAMBIA...... 9 4. THE STRATEGY...... 10 4.1 Vision...... 10 4.2 Mission...... 10 4.3 Goal...... 10 4.4 Guiding Principles...... 10 4.5 Strategic Objectives, Interventions and Expected Results...... 10 5. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS...... 25 5.1 Overarching Considerations for the Landscape Implementation Approach.. 27 5.2 Institutional Arrangements...... 27 5.3 Implementation Levels...... 27 5.4 Social and Environmental Safeguards...... 29 5.5 Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV)...... 29 5.6 Forest Reference Emission Levels...... 31 5.7 National Forest Monitoring Systems...... 31 5.8 Financing and Fund Architecture...... 31 6. ANNEXES ...... 32 Annex 1: Nested Attributes of The Selected Focal Landscapes...... 32 Annex 2: Zambia’s Readiness to Address UNFCCC Safeguards...... 34 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Proximate and Underlying Causes of Deforestation and Forest Degradation...... 8 Figure 2: Priority Focal Landscapes for REDD+ Implementation in Zambia...... 26 Figure 3: Institutional Arrangements for GHG Inventory System in Zambia...... 28 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Forest cover distribution in Zambia categorised by Province and Year...... 3 Table 2: Strategic Objectives, Interventions and Expected Results...... 11

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FOREWORD

Zambia has an estimated deforestation rate of 250,000 to 300, 000 hectares per year. Drivers of deforestation range from wood fuel, agriculture expansion, mining, timber extraction, bush fires to land and infrastructure development. Deforestation and forest degradation is the highest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in developing countries including Zambia. These GHGs are responsible for global climate change.

To tackle the challenge of deforestation and forest degradation Zambia has developed a national strategy. The strategy addresses reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks and sustainable management of forests commonly referred to as REDD+.

The National REDD+ Strategy has been developed on the basis of an integrated natural resources management perspective at landscape level. The Strategy is anchored on widespread stakeholder consultations, communication and knowledge management at national, provincial and district levels. Further, the development of the Strategy benefited from key studies including the drivers of deforestation, economic context of REDD+, the economic valuation of forests and ecosystem services, finance, incentives and benefit sharing opportunities for REDD+. It has also been informed by an analysis of practical issues and key sectors of the economy that contribute to deforestation and forest degradation as well as the draft National Climate Change Response Strategy.

The strategy has provided for the vision, mission, goal, principles, strategic objectives, interventions and expected results. It also provides a framework for Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV), Forest Reference Emission Levels (FREL) and the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) and Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES). The strategy focuses on contributing to national reduction in GHGs by improving forest and land management and ensuring equitable sharing of carbon and non carbon benefits among stakeholders.

Minister

Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This strategy is the result of contributions from the various stakeholders who include traditional leaders, several government departments, Cooperating Partners and individuals who provided enriching critique.

The development of the National REDD+ Strategy was achieved through a broad-based consultative process involving key stakeholders from all provinces of Zambia. The process was aimed at achieving the needs of the nation, at the same time responding positively to the guidance of the international community.

We wish to thank the Cooperating Partners who provided financial support for the consultative process and technical work needed to address drivers of deforestation. Many thanks also to government line Ministries for enriching the REDD+ Strategy development process and the Forestry Department for its facilitating role.

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

CFM - Community Forest Management CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species DDCC - District Development Coordinating Committee EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment EMA - Environmental Management Act FREL - Forest Reference Emission Level FRL - Forest Reference Level GHG - Greenhouse Gas GMA - Game Management Area GRZ - Government of the Republic of Zambia ILUA - Integrated Land Use Assessment JFM - Joint Forest Management LULUCF - Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry MRV - Measuring, Reporting, Verifying NAPA - National Adaptation Programme of Action NBSAP - National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NCCRS - National Climate Change Response Strategy NFMS - National Forest Monitoring System NRCU - National REDD+ Coordination Unit NTFP - Non Timber Forest Products PDCC - Provincial Development Coordinating Committee RAMSAR - Convention on Wetlands of International Importance REDD+ - Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation REL - Reference Emission Level RL - Reference Level SADC - Southern African Development Community SEA - Strategic Environmental Assessment SES - Social and Environmental Safeguards SFM - Sustainable Forest Management SIS - Safeguards Information System SNDP - Sixth National Development Plan UNCBD - United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity UNCCD - United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNDP - United Nations Development Programme UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme UNFCCC - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ZEMA - Zambia Environmental Management Agency ZFAP - Zambia Forest Action Plan

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Forests are central to the achievement of a low carbon green economy and sustainable development. In Zambia, forest cover is about fifty (50) million hectares, which is sixty-six percent (66%) of the total land area. However, the deforestation rate in the country, estimated between two hundred and fifty thousand and three hundred thousand (250,000 and 300,000) hectares per annum, jeopardises the attainment of sustainable development goals. In pursuit of its long-term development “Vision 2030“ that emphasizes poverty reduction and development based on “sustainable environment and natural resource management principles” the Government of the Republic of Zambia in 2009 decided to participate in the United Nations collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (UNREDD) Programme by developing countries for addressing drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is a global mechanism established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reduce emissions from tropical deforestation and degradation in developing countries. It is an incentive and performance based mechanism, which includes five activities namely, reducing emissions from deforestation; reducing emissions from forest degradation; conservation of forest carbon stocks; sustainable management of forests; and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Zambia has developed the National REDD+ Strategy focusing on tackling different drivers of deforestation in both the forestry and other identified key sectors in particular, agriculture, energy, mining and infrastructure. The Vision of this Strategy is to contribute to a prosperous climate change resilient economy by 2030, anchored upon sustainable management and utilisation of the nation’s natural resources towards improved livelihoods. Its Goal is to contribute to national reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by improving forest and land management and to ensure equitable sharing of both carbon and non-carbon benefits among stakeholders. The REDD+ Strategy aims at reducing emissions in an effective, efficient, transparent and accountable way, and anchored on fairness and inclusiveness.

The Strategy is guided by seven core principles: effectiveness, efficiency, fairness, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and sustainability. A situation analysis as well as detailed studies on the main drivers of deforestation and forest degradation for Zambia, were a central component in the formulation of strategic objectives and interventions. The strategic

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objectives aim to effectively plan and manage forest resources for increased carbon storage, biodiversity conservation and improved flow of forest generated ecosystem services to local and urban livelihoods by 2030.

The ten strategic objectives of the National Strategy to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation are:

(i) By 2030, threatened and unsustainably managed protected areas are effectively managed and protected to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and contribute to ecosystem services across selected landscapes;

(ii) By 2030 forests in open areas are effectively managed and monitored; (iii) By 2030 all timber concession areas have management plans that are enforced and monitored with the full participation of local communities;

(iv) By 2030 good agricultural practices that mitigate carbon emissions are adopted; (v) By 2030 regulated production of wood fuel (charcoal & firewood) and its improved utilisation is in place;

(vi) By 2020 appropriate alternative energy sources are widely adopted; (vii) By 2020 threatened and ecologically sensitive areas are legislated against extractive and infrastructure development;

(viii) By 2025 mining industry contribute to management of surrounding indigenous forests and establishment of forest plantations for own timber needs;

(ix) By 2025 integrated land-use planning is in place; and (x) By 2030 relevant institutions are capacitated to enable them to plan, manage, implement and monitor REDD+ initiatives.

The Strategy will be implemented through a landscape approach at watershed level and through policy reforms at national level. It will take into account all land uses in a holistic way, including water and wildlife, and will work to lessen the competition for natural resources among different sectors. The approach ensures that the best possible balance is achieved among a range of different development objectives, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, environment and biodiversity conservation, enhanced economic productivity and improved livelihoods.

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1. INTRODUCTION

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) is a global mechanism established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reduce emissions from tropical deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. It is an incentive and performance based mechanism, which includes five activities namely, reducing emissions from deforestation; reducing emissions from forest degradation; conservation of forest carbon stocks; sustainable management of forests; and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Recognising that deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries is amongst the most significant global sources of carbon emissions, the international community has placed Reducing Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation (also referred to as REDD+) as a critical component of mitigation measures of climate change. REDD+ is an incentive and performance based mechanism, which will allow countries that demonstrate reduction in deforestation and forest degradation to receive support.

The principles of REDD+ implementation as agreed by parties are: • Country driven and consistent with the objective of environmental integrity and taking into account the multiple functions of forests and other ecosystems; • REDD+ should be undertaken in accordance with national development priorities, objectives and circumstances and capabilities; • Respect national sovereignty and be implemented in the context of sustainable development and reducing poverty, while responding to climate change; and, • Should be supported by adequate and predictable financial and technology support, including support for capacity-building and results-based actions.

Implementation of REDD+ is a three phased process namely; National REDD+ Strategy development, investments in innovative initiatives aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation and payment for the results-based actions.

The Strategy is organised as follows: the first chapter presents the introduction, the second chapter provides the country context, chapter three highlights the development process of the strategy, while chapter four presents the strategic objectives and interventions, and chapter five covers the implementation arrangements.

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2. COUNTRY CONTEXT

Zambia is a landlocked country located in Southern Sub-Saharan Africa with a size of 752,164km2 and a population of thirteen (13) million (CSO, 2010) which is predominantly rural and is expected to double by 2030. It’s economy is primarily driven by mining, agriculture (that includes forestry), construction, and transport and communication sectors (CSO 2012). Between 2000 and 2010, the country experienced economic growth averaging over 5.7 percent per year and 6.8% and 7% in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Despite this steady growth, overall poverty remains high (60%) in 2010, particularly in rural areas (74%). By contrast, poverty in urban areas declined to 35%, further broadening the urban-rural inequality.

Poverty and population increase are two principal underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation in the country. This is due to the fact that rural populations rely heavily on forests for their sustenance and informal economic activities such as charcoal production and sale. A study conducted by Forestry Department (2015) estimates that, when ecosystem services provided by forests are accounted for, forests make a direct contribution to the national economy equivalent to about 4.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, rising to 6.3 per cent with the application of multiplier effects.

2.1 Forest Resources

Zambia’s vegetation is dominated by miombo woodland, which is characterized by open woodland dominated by Caesalpinaceae (pod exploding family) of genera that includes Brachystegia, Julbernardia and Isoberlinia, often associated with different species of grass. Zambian woodlands have a long history of use of wood for timber and fuel, grazing, harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs).

Forests in Zambia cover approximately fifty (50) million hectares, which is sixty-six percent (66%) of the total land area. Twenty two percent occurs in North-western province (Table 1), in the upper Zambezi River watershed, where the source of the Zambezi River is also located at Zambezi Source National Forest. The upper Zambezi River watershed includes sub-catchments or sub-basins of the Barotse, Luangwa and Kafue. High value forests found in open areas in Zambia include the teak (Baikiaea plurijuga) forests in the South-west, the Cryptosepallum (Mavunda) in the North-west (Zambezi basin); the Colophospermum mopane in Eastern and

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Muchinga provinces, (Luangwa sub-basin), in Southern, Western and Central provinces (Zambezi basin and Kafue sub basin); and the Itigi in Muchinga province (Luangwa sub-basin).

Forests in these watersheds are under threat at different scales from mining, industrial and agricultural activities, as well as hydro-power generation which collectively exert a lot of pressure on the country’s indigenous forest resources.

Table 1: Forest cover distribution in Zambia categorised by Province and Year

Total Land 1990 Forest 2000 Forest 2005 Forest Province Area (Ha) Cover (Ha) Cover (Ha) Cover (Ha) Central 9,439,438 6,002,109 5,232,563 4,913,115 Copperbelt 3,132,839 2,048,808 2,004,202 1,893,522 Eastern 6,910,582 5,201,941 5,110,742 5,128,460 Luapula 5,056,908 3,301,308 3,286,495 3,465,225 Lusaka 2,189,568 1,502,000 1,405,363 1,387,786 Muchinga Northern 14,782,565 7,700,920 7,692,586 7,323,022 N/Western 12,582,637 9,606,934 9,599,120 9,403,079 Southern 8,528,283 6,001,224 5,161,349 5,101,232 Western 12,638,580 8,426,384 8,403,159 8,433,420 Total 75,261,400 49,791,628 48,141,216 47,048,850 Source: ILUA I, (2008)

2.2 Forests and Socio-economic Development Nexus in Zambia

Forests in Zambia provide both ecosystem services and goods, significantly contributing directly and indirectly to the socio-economic development at both national and household levels. Zambia’s development paradigm as reflected in the various key economic development policies, plans and programmes, recognizes the intricate relationships between forest conditions and their implications for carbon emissions and sequestration, agricultural land productivity, biodiversity conservation, energy, water, industrial and livelihood needs.

Forest products make a significant contribution to rural livelihoods in Zambia as they are a source of fuel, shelter, food, pasture and fodder, medicinal plants and household utility items. In addition, forests provide employment and business

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opportunities (e.g. pit-sawing and trading in wild fruits). Forests provide safety-nets in times when the household is faced with stress and shocks. Furthermore, forests are used as a coping strategy. Therefore, the local people regard the Miombo woodland as a pharmacy, supermarket, a building supply store and a grazing resource (Dewees et al, 2010).

2.3 Land and Forest Management Practices in Support of REDD+ Implementation in Zambia

Zambia has land and forest management practices that offer opportunities to address deforestation and forest degradation that could well support REDD+ implementation in the country. The management practices include the setting up of national and local forest reserves, Joint Forest Management, Community-based Natural Resource Management, Forest Certification, Agro forestry and Conservation Agriculture.

2.4 Existing Policies, Legislations and Plans in Support of REDD+ Implementation in Zambia

The policy and legislative frameworks that will support REDD+ implementation include the following:

a. The Vision 2030: The Vision 2030 sets Zambia’s long-term development vision reflecting the collective understanding, aspirations and determination of the Zambian people to be a “prosperous middle-income country” by 2030;

b. The Revised Sixth National Development Plan (2010-16) is Vision 2030’s operational plan and recognizes the environment as a cross cutting issue and environment mainstreaming as a core programme under the macro-economic chapter of the SNDP;

c. National Policy on Environment (NPE, 2007): The Policy focuses on managing the impact of human activities on the environment that include biodiversity conservation, deforestation, land degradation, air pollution and inadequate management of water resources and water pollution;

d. National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA, 2007): The NAPA is meant to complement the efforts of the government to ensure that the livelihoods of the most vulnerable households are secured against the adverse impacts, risks and shocks as a result of climate change;

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e. The Environmental Management Act (EMA, 2011): The Environmental Management Act (2011) is an instrument that safeguards environmental protection and natural resources management in the country;

f. National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS): The Draft National Climate Change Response Strategy provides a basis for Climate Change mainstreaming in all the sectors;

g. Draft National Policy on Climate Change (NPCC): The National Policy on Climate Change (NPCC - 2012) has been developed to provide a coordinated response to key climate change issues in the country;

h. The National Forestry Policy (2014): The policy provides for a multisectoral approach that underpins the principle of local community and provate sector participation in sustainable forest management. Further, it emphasizes equity and justice that vigorously motivate responsible sustainable forest management;

i. The Forests Acts No. 4 of 2015: The Act recognises carbon as a forest produce and it also provides for important social and environmental safeguards by recognizing the significance of local community knowledge and affirming Community Forest Management, Joint Forest Management (JFM), and Private Forest Management as important interventions to achieve SFM and equitable benefit sharing in forest resources management;

j. Draft National Agriculture policy (2014): The policy explicitly recognizes the significance of climate change adaptation by promoting sustainable agriculture such as conservation agriculture and agro-forestry and linkages to other sectors such as forestry, energy, land use and infrastructure development;

k. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP, 2015): The NBSAP recognizes deforestation as a key threat to biodiversity conservation including plant loss and habitat destruction and it sets up management objectives intended to reduce emissions from deforestation; and

l. Decentralisation Policy (2012) and Implementation Plan (2009): The Decentralisation Policy and Implementation Plan provide for the Government to devolve decision-making authorities, functions, and resources, from the centre to the most local level with matching financial resources.

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2.5 Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation

Studies of drivers of deforestation and degradation have identified agricultural expansion, unsustainable wood fuel production, unmanaged timber extraction, bush fires, mining, land use and infrastructure development as the proximate drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. The underlying causes are underpinned by demographic, economic, technological, policy and institutional as well as cultural causes.

2.5.1 Proximate Drivers

Wood fuel: Charcoal and firewood make up over 70% of the national energy consumption in Zambia as only about 25% of the population has access to electricity. Charcoal and firewood are on high demand for cooking and heating needs at household level both in urban and rural areas respectively. The firewood demand is also high for tobbaco curing, brick curing, as well as fish smoking.

Agricultural expansion: A growing population has led to increased pressure for agricultural land in order to meet national and subsistence food requirements. Agricultural expansion is caused by shifting and extensification of subsistence and commercial farming.

Timber extraction: The demand for timber has over the past few years been exacerbated by the expanding and intensifying construction activities in the country and international demand for valuable timber species. The commonly affected species include Pterocarpus chrysothrix (Mukula), Pterocarpus angolensis (Mukwa), Guibourtia coleosperma (Muzauli/Rosewood), Colophospermum mopane (Mopane), and Baikiaea plurijuga (Zambezi teak) among others.

Uncontrolled and late Bush fires: Most bush fires in Zambia are caused by anthropogenic activities (human caused).

Mining: The expansion of the mining industry has led to clearing of large tracts of forest areas. Further, the mining industry uses large quantities of wood in other production processes and activities.

Land use and Infrastructure development: Uncoordinated land use planning and infrastructure development have contributed to deforestation and forest degradation.

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2.5.2 Underlying Causes

There are a number of underlying causes that lead to deforestation and forest degradation in Zambia. These include high poverty levels, demographic factors, economic and technological constraints, incoherent policy implementation and institutional arrangements.

Poverty: Poverty is identified as the highly ranked driving force behind the proximate drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. The causes of poverty include marginally diversified livelihood options and limited energy sources (Chomba et al, 2012).

Demography: Zambia’s population has tripled in the last three decades resulting in increased demand for wood fuel, agricultural land and timber. Mining and other infrastructure developments are push factors for in-migration of people to areas near the available social amenities resulting in the need for settlement and agricultural land and energy sources all of which lead to forest clearing and carbon emissions.

Economy: The economic fiscal regime structure of Zambia requires incentives to uphold conservation and sustainable use of forests. The result is that community members express preference to transform a standing forest into other economic uses, perceived to be more profitable in the short term.

Policy and Institutional Arrangement: There is inadequate coherence and policy duplication among sectoral policies leading to implementation of these policies in silos compounded by limited institutional capacity and inadequate allocation of human and financial resources to the forestry sector for sustainable forest management.

Technology: Associated with agricultural expansion in Zambia are the technological practices for agricultural production that do not address long-term soil fertility constraints in the prevailing cropping systems. This has led to farmers clearing new land on an annual basis contributing to forest loss.

Charcoal production technology currently uses earth kilns which are inefficient as they require more wood biomass per unit of charcoal produced. In short, the technology has both low conversion and recovery rates.

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Figure 1. gives a graphical presentation of the proximate and underlying drivers of

deforestation and forest degradation in Zambia.

FOREST LOSS

Agriculture Forestry Energy Mining Land use and Extensive and Uncontrolled Demand for Felling of trees to Infrastructure unsustainable harvesting & Charcoal and create space for development DRIVERS PROXIMATE crop production encroachment of firewood as mining sites and Unplanned practices protected area Energy source settlements for Settlements labour; Agro-processing Overexploitation Urban expansion reliance on wood and unsustainable Harvesting of fuel harvesting wood timber for mining in forest reserves infrastructure;

Agriculture and open areas Pollution through extensification mine effluents

Poverty Economy Demography Policy & Technology Limited income Low Population Institutional generating employment growth Inconsistences Poor UNDERLYING DRIVERS UNDERLYING opportunities, opportunities and weak policy technological

marginally Insecure land Immigration and legal practices for diversified tenure provisions agricultural livelihood Population production options, Lack of density Poor funding Limited energy incentives for Inefficient sources conservation and Low staffing technologies for sustainable charcoal

production

Figure 1:Figure Proximate 1: Proximate and and Underlying Underlying Causes Causes of Deforestation of Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Forest Degradation

3. THE REDD+ PROCESS IN ZAMBIA The Cancun Agreements (2010) provided for the four key elements that countries interested in implementing REDD+ were requested to develop. These are: (a) The National REDD+ Strategy or Action Plan; (b) National Monitoring System (NFMS);

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3. THE REDD+ PROCESS IN ZAMBIA

The Cancun Agreements (2010) provided for the four key elements that countries interested in implementing REDD+ were requested to develop. These are:

(a) The National REDD+ Strategy or Action Plan;

(b) National Monitoring System (NFMS);

(d) Safeguard Information System (SIS).

In pursuit of its long-term development vision (Vision 2030) which emphasizes poverty reduction and development based on “sustainable environment and natural resource management principles”, the Government decided to participate in REDD+ in 2009, as an opportunity to directly address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. The Government is concerned with increasing rate of deforestation in the country.

The REDD+ Readiness Process started in 2010 and ended in 2014 which culminated into the development of the national Strategy to reduce deforestation in the country after extensive consultations, which were held among all the 10 provinces of Zambia. A number of in-depth studies and consultative processes were conducted that informed development of this strategy. The REDD+ readiness process has achieved the following key milestones:

a. Completion of the REDD+ Strategy;

b. Forest Reference Emission Level(FREL)/Forest Reference Levels (FRL; and

c. Established a National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)

The strategy was developed on the basis of an integrated natural resources management perspective on landscape level. It was also informed by an analysis of the practical issues and key sectors of the economy that contribute to deforestation and forest degradation as well as the draft National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS).

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4. THE STRATEGY

4.1 Vision

The vision of the strategy is to attain a prosperous climate change resilient economy by 2030 anchored upon sustainable management and utilisation of Zambia’s natural resources towards improved livelihoods.

4.2 Mission

The mission of the strategy is to coordinate efforts aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation through improved management of forests and livelihoods.

4.3 Goal

The goal of the Strategy is to reduce deforestation and forest degradation for sustainable natural resource management, improvement of livelihoods and achievement of a green economy.

4.4 Guiding Principles The implementation of this strategy is anchored on the following principles:

a. Effectiveness

b. Efficiency

c. Equity

d. Transparency

e. Accountability

f. Inclusiveness

g. Sustainability

4.5 Strategic Objectives, Interventions and Expected Results

To achieve the vision, mission and goals of the strategy the following are the objectives, interventions and activities that will be pursued.

10 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION - - forms can be mitigated by government enhancing existing institutions to collaborate in policy imple mentation Limited collaboration among the key institutions for joint action and policy re tion Strategies Risks & Mitiga - • - - - Expected Results Effective management Effective of the protected area system and harmo nized policies and legislations con tributing to reduced national emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while contributing to sustainable water resources management and biodiversity con servation within the selected landscape. • in the areas Protected Protected Areas Areas Protected Strategic Activities Strategic Delineate watershed areas based on the ecological connectivity among forests, water resources and wildlife conservation Assess extent and scope of threats to the key within the landscape Develop integrated natural resources management plans that and minimise optimise synergies among the selected key trade-offs ecosystem services within the respective landscape Declare headwaters of each landscape 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.1.4 - - Strategic Focus Enhancing coordi nation, collaboration and harmonisation of actions and policies among the forest, wa agriculture, land, ter, wildlife and mining sectors. •

By 2030 Threatened and unsustainably managed protected areas are effectively managed and protected to reduce emissions from managed and protected By 2030 Threatened and unsustainably managed protected areas are effectively deforestation and forest degradation contribute to ecosystem services across selected landscapes Improving of effectiveness institutions and governance of the protected areas through appropriate reforms. Strategic Intervention 1.1 Objective 1. Objective Table 2: Strategic Objectives, Interventions Objectives, and Expected 2: Strategic Results Table

11 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION - - - Effective forest Effective management through incentivised collab orative approaches towards both carbon and non-carbon benefits Enhanced capacity of Forestry Department for forest manage ment and monitoring through partnerships with other stake holders • • - - - - - Select local forests in the water shed areas based on the ecolog ical connectivity among forests, water resources and wildlife conservation Create appropriate multi-stake holder fora and civil society in volvement in forest management and governance issues Develop appropriate models for Community Forest Management (CFM), Joint Forest Management (JFM) and Private Forest Man - agement (PFM) as advocated for in the National Forestry Policy of 2014 Provide performance in centive-based payments for community members involved in the appropriate CFM and JFM models selected 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 1.2.4 - - Improvement of man agement of selected local forests within the delineated watershed areas where collabo rative management of Local Forests should be promoted. • - By 2030 Threatened and unsustainably managed protected areas are effectively managed and protected to reduce emissions from managed and protected By 2030 Threatened and unsustainably managed protected areas are effectively deforestation and forest degradation contribute to ecosystem services across selected landscapes Enhancing partici patory approaches to local forest management. Objective 1. Objective 1.2

12 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION Strategies Risks & Mitigation - - Expected Results Enhanced capacity for monitoring and enforcement of forest management plans in open areas Enhanced compliance to planed forest man agement in open areas Reduced emissions Improved biodiversity conservation and eco system services • • • • - - - Strategic Activities Strategic Develop village/area level with clear structures organised ly defined roles, responsibilities and benefits for community and traditional leadership par ticipation in the management, monitoring and enforcement of the management plans of forests in open areas Develop area specific manage ment plans Invest in certification schemes for sustainable natural forest management practices for the woody and non-woody products giving the greatest financial rewards 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 - - Addressing the need for enhanced management and monitoring of forests in open areas given that approxi mately 78% of the forests in Zambia occur on customary lands under tradi tional authority administration with informal management regime in place. Strategic Focus • - By 2030 Forests in open areas are effectively managed and monitored By 2030 Forests in open areas are effectively tion participatory approaches and traditional role authorities’ in forest man agement and monitoring of forests in open areas. Strategic Interven - Objective 2: 2.1 Enhancing

13 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION - - elite ” where capture only a few people might benefit from manage effective The inherent risk is that of “ ment of forests in open areas leaving out the majority of community mem This could be bers. mitigated through appropriate benefit sharing mechanisms and their adherence • - Effective management Effective of forests in open areas contributing to equi table sharing of both carbon and non-carbon benefits • Develop guidelines for benefit sharing Diversify forest products and promoting value addition 1.1.1 1.1.2 Develop and eq - implement cost and uitable benefit sharing mechanisms. • - Developing appropriate cost-bene fit sharing mechanisms for management of forests in open areas. 1.1

14 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION Strategies Risks & Mitigation - Enhanced capacity for and monitoring enforcement of regulations in concession areas Compliance to environmen tal and social safeguards Expected Results • • - - ticipation in the management Develop monitoring and enforcement system for the Concession areas Develop village-level management structures with clearly de fined roles and responsibilities for community and traditional leadership par Strategic Activities Strategic 1.1.2 1.1.1 by Strengthening the Strengthening Strategic Focus All timber concession All timber have management areas enforced plans that are with the and monitored full participation of lo - cal communities 2030 capacity for monitoring capacity of the and enforcement regulations. • - - By 2030 All timber concession areas have management plans that are enforced and monitored with the concession areas have management All timber By 2030 full participation of local communities vention of traditional lo - and leaders cal communi ties in timber concession management. Strategic Inter 3.1 Involvement Objective 3:

15 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION - - - Strat Low adoption of sustainable agri culture practices among farm This could ers. be mitigated through farmer awareness cam paigns, sustain - able agriculture incentives Risks & Mitigation • - Improved adoption of agricultural practices that reduce defor estation Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to increased farm household incomes Expected Results • • ------Promote collabora tion and coordination among actors in the application of sus tainable agriculture practices Establish commu nity nurseries and conducting exten sion services for appropriate on-farm agro-forestry tree species and technol ogies for agricultural intensification Implement appro priate sustainable agriculture practices demonstrations to improve adoption in areas the target Strategic Activities Strategic 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 - Enhancement of agricultural intensifica tion leading to reduced frequency of clearance of forests for increased agricultural productivity. Strategic Focus • - By 2030 Good agricultural practices that mitigate carbon emissions are adopted Promotion of sus - tainable agriculture practices that en hance productivity. Strategic Intervention Objective 4: 1.1

16 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION - - Inadequate financial resourc es to support the implementation of the incentive mechanisms. This could be mitigated through partner ships with the sector and private other financing agencies • - Increased adoption of sustainable agriculture practices Reduced national emis sions from agriculture Improved food farm security, household incomes and livelihoods • • • - - Develop function al-based incentives for actors in the value chain farmers Develop criteria and indicators for mea suring performance 1.2.1 1.2.2 - Enhance per Enhance formance based formance to incentives farmers • - - - Provision of perfor mance-based incen tives for sustainable agriculture prac tices that mitigate carbon emissions. 1.2

17 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION - gated through prompting of fast growing species Long gestation period of tree growth. This could be miti • - Reduced pres - sure on wood fuel demand from natural forests thus contributing to reduced national emis sions from deforestation and forest degradation and increased integrity of forest. • - Support estab - lishment of fuel woodlots to carter needs in for energy agro-processing Regulate use of wood fuel for agro-processing Incentivise mar keting and sell of sustainably produced agro products 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 Reduce wood fuel pressure on natural forests for agro-process - ing. • Promotion of good agricultural practices related to reduced emissions from agro-process - ing dependent on use of wood fuel from indigenous forests. 1.3

18 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION - Strat Inadequate financial resources to support of implementation the the incentive mech This could anisms. be mitigated through partnerships with the private sector and other financing agencies Risks & Mitigation • - Reduced deforestation and forest degradation Reduced green house gas emissions from carboni sation Expected Results • • - Designate and certify wood fuel production areas with clear management plans Promote improved charcoal production technologies and systems Build capacity of charcoal producers and local commu nities Develop an incentive mechanism for sustainable wood fuel production and utilisation Strategic Activities Strategic 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.1.4 Ensure in - Ensure for centives improved and efficient pro - charcoal and duction utilisation technologies. Strategic Focus • By 2030 Regulated production of wood fuel (charcoal & firewood) and its improved utilisation are put in place Improve systems and technologies for sustainable and regulated wood fuel production and utilisation. Strategic Intervention Objective 5: 1.1

19 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION Identify appropriate energy Identify appropriate energy efficient technologies; the appropriate energy Test efficient technologies effi - Scale up tested energy cient technologies 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 Improve ef - ficiency of wood fuel utilisation. • - Promotion of energy-efficient wood fuel utilisa tion technologies. 1.2

20 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION Strategies Low adoption of alternative renewable This sources. energy could be mitigated through incentives and awareness. Risks & Mitigation • Reduced pressure on forest resources as a source of energy Reduced emissions Expected Results • • - - - Research and deploy saving appropriate energy technologies Promote appropriate tech nology Promote appropriate alterna tive sources through smart partnerships with technology development entities to facil itate wider adoption. Strategic Activities Strategic 6.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 Diversify - energy ing sources from and firewood to charcoal energy effi - sourc - cient es. Strategic Focus • By 2020 Appropriate alternative energy sources widely are adopted By 2020 Promotion of alternative and renewable energy sources. Strategic Intervention 6.1 Objective 6:

21 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION Strategies Risks & Mitigation - - - sults Ecologically sensitive areas fully protected and biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services; and, Rationalised national Pro Areas tected system miti gating poten tial land use conflicts and contributing to good forest governance. Expected Re - • • - - Strategic Activities Strategic Develop guidelines on ecolog ically sensitive areas Identify and designate ecolog ically sensitive areas Strengthen enforcement of provisions in the natural resources and environmental legislation 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.1.1 - Improving enforce - ment of the existing en vironmental legislation. Strategic Focus • - - By 2020 Threatened and ecologically sensitive areas and By 2020 Threatened and are legislated against extractive ecologically infrastructure development Strengthen envi ronmental legisla tion enforcement Strategic Intervention 7.1 Objective 7:

22 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION - Strategies Uncoordinated approach to the im plementation of the The land use plans. mitigation measure would be improved coordination at all levels. Risks & Mitigation • Mining industry may be unwilling to invest in forest This could be plantations. mitigated through awareness and partnerships - Risks & Mitigation Strategies Land use plans that are com patible with sustainable forest management and other competing land uses Expected Results • - - Reduced pressure on indigenous forest Expected Results Conduct multi-stake holder land use planning Enforce zoning pro visions and land use restrictions. extension services and partnerships that support establishment of plantations Strategic Activities Strategic 8.1.1 Provide 1.1.2 1.1.1 Strategic Activities Strategic Ensure integrated land use plans are with compatible man - sustainable agement of forests Motivate mining Motivate mining pro - to industry mote the estab - lishment of forest to meet plantations its own timber and fuel wood needs. Strategic Focus • Strategic Focus - By 2025 Mining industry contribute to the management of surrounding indigenous forests and establishment Integrated land-use planning in place by 2025 Encouraging the Encouraging mining industry to invest in forest plantation estab lishment integrated land use plans that are compatible with sustainable management of forests. Strategic Intervention of forest plantations for own timber needs Strategic Intervention 9.1 Developing Objective 8: Objective 9: 8.1

23 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION - - - Strategies cial resources to conduct the capac This ity building. could be mitigated through prioritis ing and increasing funding towards forestry sub-sector Risks & Mitigation • Inadequate finan - Various key Various players capacitat ed to effectively implement and monitor REDD+ in Zambia. Expected Results • - - - - Build capaci ties in relevant institutions in Measuring, Reporting - and Verify ing (MRV), resource mobilisation and policy implementa tion, safeguard information system, stake holder en gagement and accountability adherence. Strategic Activities Strategic 1.1.1 - Institutional and stakehold er capacities to implement and monitor REDD+ are strengthened. Strategic Focus • - - By 2030 Relevant institutions capacitated to enable them to plan, manage, implement and monitor to enable them plan, manage, implement institutions capacitated By 2030 Relevant REDD+ initiatives tional and stakeholder capacities to imple Strengthen institu ment and monitor REDD+ Strategic Intervention Objective 10: Objective 10.1

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5. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

REDD+ implementation will be focused on tackling different drivers of deforestation in relevant sectors, namely: forestry, agriculture, water, wildlife, energy, mining and infrastructure, among others. The Strategy will be implemented through a landscape approach. The identified priority focal landscapes are:

a) Zambezi watershed;

b) Kafue watershed; and

c) Luangwa watershed

Nested within these focal landscapes are protected forest areas (national and local forests), open areas, national parks, game management areas, wetlands, rivers, agricultural land, mining, infrastructure developments, human settlements, with governance structures including traditional authorities. At jurisdictional level – Provincial Development Coordinating Committees (PDCCs), District Development Coordinating Committees (DDCCs) and Area Development Committees (ADCs). Annex 1 provides a summary of nested characteristics of each of the selected focal landscapes.

This approach takes into account all land uses in a holistic way and promotes integrated natural resources management among different sectors. Further, it ensures that the best possible balance is achieved among a range of different development objectives, including climate change, environment and biodiversity conservation, enhanced economic productivity and improved livelihoods.

25 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION Figure 2 shows the priority focal landscapes for REDD+ implementation for landscapes the focal priority 2 shows Figure I. is further figure in Annex The elaborated Zambia. Figure 2: Priority Focal Landscapes for REDD+ Implementation in Zambia in REDD+ Implementation for Landscapes 2: Priority Focal Figure

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5.1 Overarching Considerations for the Landscape Implementation Approach

Landscapes are the physical and biological attributes of an area. They include institutions, people, cultural and spiritual values of the area. The overarching considerations for the implementation approach are:

(a) the optimal balance between the objectives of carbon emission reduction, productivity enhancement and livelihood improvement;

(b) mapping the key ecosystem and human well-being connectivity within the selected landscape; and

5.2 Institutional Arrangements

REDD+ initiatives will be implemented using existing institutions and structures working together to respond to the multi sectoral nature of REDD+. The institutional arrangements include government and traditional institutions, working side by side with cooperating partners, private sector, Civil Society Organisations and local communities in implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting REDD+ activities.

Coordination: The implementation of the Strategy will be coordinated within the ambit of the National Climate Change institutional coordination mechanism, once established, through the Committee of Ministers, National Committee of Permanent Secretaries, and the National Technical Committee on Climate Change. In the interim, the Inter-Ministerial Climate Change Secretariat would coordinate the implementation of the REDD+ Strategy.

5.3 Implementation Levels

Forestry Department: Forests are the fulcrum of the REDD Initiatives. Therefore, the Forestry Department will be the lead institution for the implementation of the Strategy through the National REDD+ Coordination Unit (NRCU) and will have the overall responsibility for REDD+ implementation to ensure integrated and holistic approach in close collaboration with the relevant key sectors. The core functions of the NRCU include planning, co-ordination, monitoring and reporting (Figure 4). The NRCU will further provide methodological guidance on REDD+ Figure 2: Priority Focal Landscapes for REDD+ Implementation in Zambia in REDD+ Implementation for Landscapes 2: Priority Focal Figure

27 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION

activities including Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV). The MRV will be consistent with the established national Greenhouse Gas (GHG) National Inventory System.

Regional Level: At the provincial and district levels, the Forestry Department will take the role of the NRCU and promote REDD+ in Provincial Coordinating Committees (PDCC) and District Coordinating Committees (DDCC).

Community Level: At community level the existing governance structures will be used to facilitate REDD+ implementation. The District Forestry Officers working with other sectors will support the work of the local and village committees to achieve the objectives of sustainable forest management.

Figure 3 provides diagrammatic presentation of the implementation levels of REDD+ in Zam

Figure 3: Institutional Arrangements for REDD+ Implementation in Zambia

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5.4 Social and Environmental Safeguards

REDD+ is a performance and incentive based system that requires adequate safeguard mechanisms, hence the need to develop and implement a robust safeguard system. In developing the robust safeguard information system, the following will be taken into account:

(a) Policies, laws and regulations and strategies that support social and environmental safeguards are addressed and respected; and

(b) Build on the existing institutional frameworks.

Annex II outlines Zambia’s readiness to address UNFCCC Safeguards.

5.5 Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV)

The institutional arrangements for MRV for REDD+ will be consistent with the National GHG Inventory System of the Country (Figure 4). Forestry Department will be responsible for compiling information for Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) and thus will need to establish a functioning quality control (QC)/quality assurance (QA) system for LULUCF reporting.

In order to facilitate period preparation of GHG inventory Zambia has developed a institutional arrangements for the GHG inventory management system consisting of the Ministry of Lands Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (MLNREP), for overall policy guidance and reporting to UNFCCC; Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) as an overall inventory coordinating institution, and GHG sector lead institutions responsible for GHG Inventory Preparation. The sector lead institutions are Department of Energy, Department of Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Forestry and Department of Local Government responsible for inventory preparation in Energy, Industrial Processes, Agriculture, Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry, and Waste Sectors respectively. The functions of the GHG Management system are provided as follows:

i. Activity data collection from data providers prior to the inventory preparation;

ii. Activity data formatting and documentation and Quality Control in accordance with GHG Inventory Preparation Guidelines;

29 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION

iii. Extraction of emission factors from the IPCC 1996 Guidelines, documentation and Quality Control in accordance with GHG Inventory Preparation Guidelines;

iv. Preparation of estimates of the inventory and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC); and

v. Reporting to the UNFCCC through National Communication.

Figure 4: Institutional Arrangements for GHG Inventory System in Zambia Figure 3: Institutional Arrangements for GHG Inventory System in Zambia

5.6 Forest Reference Emission Levels In developing Forest Reference Emission Levels or Forest Reference Levels (FRELs/FRLs) in Zambia, the following were taken into account: a. Consistency with the national REDD+ strategy; b. A stepwise approach, allowing improvements over time; c. Enabling sub-national activities and programmes; d. Meeting both national and international objectives; e. Consistency with the national GHG inventory;30 f. Consistency with UNFCCC guidance; g. Consistency with the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS);

5.7 National Forest Monitoring Systems The National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS) has been decentralised to all provinces and will be managed by the cross-sectoral team from forestry, agriculture and planning sectors providing a decentralised hub of MRV expertise. The Provincial Geographical Information System (GIS) laboratories will provide near real-time spatial data on

NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION

5.6 Forest Reference Emission Levels

In developing Forest Reference Emission Levels or Forest Reference Levels (FRELs/FRLs) in Zambia, the following were taken into account:

a. Consistency with the national REDD+ strategy;

b. A stepwise approach, allowing improvements over time;

c. Enabling sub-national activities and programmes;

d. Meeting both national and international objectives;

e. Consistency with the national GHG inventory;

f. Consistency with UNFCCC guidance;

g. Consistency with the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS);

5.7 National Forest Monitoring Systems

The National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS) has been decentralised to all provinces and will be managed by the cross-sectoral team from forestry, agriculture and planning sectors providing a decentralised hub of MRV expertise. The Provincial Geographical Information System (GIS) laboratories will provide near real-time spatial data on deforestation and forest degradation which can be relayed to the central national forest monitoring laboratory, through the NFMS web portal, to inform national reporting.

5.8 Financing and Fund Architecture

The financing of REDD+ will be based on national climate change financing framework. Guidelines and procedures will be provided on the administration of the fund. Potential sources of financing for REDD+ activities in Zambia include domestic, private, bilateral and multilateral donors.

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6. ANNEXES

Annex 1: Nested Attributes of The Selected Focal Landscapes

FOCAL LANDSCAPE

KEY Zambezi Kafue Luangwa Total Area ATTRIBUTES Watershed Watershed Watershed (Ha)

No. and Est. total No. and Est. No. and Est. total area (Ha) total area (Ha) area (Ha)

National forests 73 (2,306,975) 67 (1,829,003) 31 (1,427,492) 171 (5,563,470)

Local forests 49 (934,464) 37 (543,393) 68 (227,178) 154 (1,705,035)

National parks 6 (1,420,794) 3 (2,232,082) 7 (1,711,971) 16 (5,364,847)

Game Mgmt. 13 (7,795,622) 11 (3,394,910) 11 (5,115,435) 35 (16,305,967) Areas

Sub-total Area 12,457,855 7,999,388 8,482,076 28,939,319 (ha)

Designated 43 (2,104,634) 31(1,793,089) 19 (140,389) 83 (4,038,112) wetlands (includes rivers, swamps, Includes the Includes the Includes dambos, etc.) Zambezi Kafue, Lamba the Mkushi Headwaters and Lusitu Headwaters Headwaters

Agricultural Smallholder Commercial Key extensive - activities cassava, sorghum, sugar plantations, smallholder tobacco and extensive farming area of livestock based smallholder Zambia with system practising and commercial highest diversity slush and burn maize and of crops (maize, agriculture and use livestock based cotton, tobacco, of wood for fish system practising groundnuts) processing and clear-cutting of and livestock tobacco curing. trees for farm practising clear- sites and use of cutting of trees wood for tobacco for farm sites and processing. use of wood for tobacco curing.

Mining activities Copper, cobalt and Key Copper and Small scale mining - uranium mining gemstone mining of gemstones and extensive area of the explorations country

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Traditional Well organised Well organised Well organised - authorities traditional traditional traditional authority at village authority at authority at village and chiefdom chiefdom level and chiefdom levels with a King levels with two in western part of paramount Chiefs the watershed. in the eastern part of the watershed.

Large Mines; Mines; Agro-processing - infrastructure Hydropower Hydropower industries developments stations: Kariba, stations: Itezhi- developments on Victoria Falls, tezhi and Kafue going, Mulungushi Batoka Gorge, Gorge; Sugarcane and Mita hills Kabompo Gorge plantations; road Dams, Pia-Manzi and Zengamina (at networks hydropower Kalene Hills); road station; road networks. networks.

Key threats • Intensified • Intensified • Continued - to forests, mining mining watershed biodiversity and degradation due other ecosystem • Agricultural • Increased to agricultural services expansion demand for expansion as industrial main source of • Projected and road livelihoods increase in infrastructure settlements • Continued river from in- • Urbanization siltation due migration due to (population to watershed mining pressure) degradation and charcoal • Intensive demand • Intensified dependence on charcoal unregulated • Relative high production wood and competing NWFP demands • High poverty extraction for for water levels livelihoods abstraction

• High poverty levels

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x 2: Zambia’s Readiness to Address UNFCCC Safeguards

UNFCCC Existing Relevant PLR and Conventions/Agreements Safeguard 1. Consistency 1.1 At national level: the strategic objectives on forestry in this strategy with the are in line with the programmes contained in the Zambia Forest Action objectives Plan (ZFAP, 1998-2018), Zambia’s overarching framework for forest of national management. They are also in line with the National Biodiversity Strategy forest and Action Plan (NBSAP, 1995); the NAPA, 2007; NCCRS, 2011; Sixth programmes National Development Plan (2011-2015) and Decentralization Policy and relevant Implementation Plan (2009-2013). international conventions 1.2 At regional level: the strategic objectives are consistent with the African and Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and at agreements sub-regional level: with the SADC Protocols on Forests, Water, Wildlife, Fisheries, Agriculture, Energy and Trade.

1.3 At international level: the strategic objectives are consistent with international conventions to which Zambia is signatory: UNCBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC, CITES and Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (RAMSAR Conventions).

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UNFCCC Existing Relevant PLR and Conventions/Agreements Safeguard 2. Transparent 2.1 The draft Forest Policy (2010) and Forest Bill (2014), currently earmarked and effective to be ratified within the first quarter of 2015, promulgate transparent and national improved forest governance through promotion of Community Forest forest Management (CFM), Joint Forest Management (JFM) and Private Forest governance Management (PFM) with a strong involvement of traditional authorities structures in forest decision-making particularly on customary lands. They also promulgate creation of an equitable benefit sharing system within the forestry sector. However, while carbon is recognized as a forest product in both policy and legislation, both instruments have yet to clarify carbon rights and ownership within the context of CFM, JFM and PFM.

2.2 As part of forest and climate change governance in Zambia the government has established an Inter-Ministerial Climate Change Secretariat to coordinate all climate change actions at national level and a REDD+ Coordination Unit with the Forestry Department to oversee REDD+ implementation.

2.3 Forestry Department has established a decentralized NFMS with 10 laboratories at provincial level across the country, manned by groups of trained cross-sectoral technicians from forestry, agriculture and planning sectors providing a decentralized hub of MRV expertise. This local expertise will provide near real-time spatial data on deforestation and forest degradation. The NFMS is linked to a web portal for easy reporting and transparency purposes. This innovative approach is in-line with the decentralization policy of the Government.

2.4 At sub-regional level (SADC), Zambia has ratified the Protocol against Corruption (2001) and at national level Zambia has established an Anti- Corruption Commission, an independent body to investigate corruption and prosecute offenders.

2.5 REDD+ to reinforce the roles of Provincial Development Coordinating Committees (PDCC)s, District Development Coordinating Committees (DDCCs) and Area Development Committees (ADCs) as effective implementers/coordinators of REDD+ activities at sub-national level. This is in line with Zambia’s Decentralization Policy.

2.6 Zambia to consider setting up an independent body to certify consultants undertaking SEAs and EIAs to safeguard against conflict of interest on the part of development proponents hiring and paying own consultants to undertake SEAs and EIAs.

2.7 Zambia to consider establishing an independent Timber Inspection Unit to monitor timber concession license compliance and timber conveyance.

2.8 Zambia to consider contracting (by open tender) an independent body to manage the Safeguards Information System to be developed and be responsible for reporting.

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UNFCCC Existing Relevant PLR and Conventions/Agreements Safeguard 3. Respect 3.1 Both the Environmental Management Act (2011) and draft Forest Bill for the (2014) recognize the importance of indigenous knowledge and rights of knowledge local communities in the sustainable management of Zambia’s natural and rights of resources. Important forest-based indigenous knowledge systems with indigenous wider application include: herbal medicines; wild foods; uses of timber; peoples and use of thatch grass and other grasses, i.e. bamboo, reeds and papyrus, members handicrafts and cultural uses in traditional ceremonies, and respect for of local burial sites. The promotion of CFM, JFM and PFM in the Forest Bill communities is a reflection of the importance the Zambian government attaches to the knowledge and rights of local communities.

3.2 Enacted in 1989, the National Heritage Conservation Act provides for the conservation of ancient, cultural and natural heritage, relics and other objects of aesthetic, historical, pre-historical, archaeological or scientific interest.

3.3 At sub-regional level (SADC), Zambia has ratified the Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport (2001) which recognizes respect for indigenous and local community rights and cultures. 4. Full and 4.1 The National REDD+ Coordination Unit (NRCU) has developed a effective Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement Plan (SAEP) to ensure that participation all relevant stakeholders including local communities are effectively of involved in all phases of REDD+ development in the country. This has stakeholders involved province-wide stakeholder consultation meetings and key sector especially stakeholder consultation workshops. The SAEP builds upon policy indigenous provisions on stakeholder participation reflected in the National Policy on peoples Environment, the draft Climate Change Policy, the National Biodiversity and local Strategy and Action Plan, the draft Forest Policy and the Decentralization communities Policy Implementation Plan.

4.2 The CFM, JFM and PFM models promulgated in the draft Forest Policy (2010) and Forest Bill (2014) as well as the EIA provisions in the Environmental Management Act (2011) are supposed to take into account:

• The social economic impact of the project, such as resettlement of affected people; • Socio-economic and cultural considerations such as effects on generation or reduction of employment in the area, social cohesion or resettlement, local economic impacts; and • Effect on land uses and land potential in the project area and surrounding areas. 4.3 Zambia to use the REDD+ process to develop specific FPIC guidelines for REDD+ project proponents, whether private or public, on how to operationalize FPIC principles in their initiatives. Zambia to use the REDD+ process to develop specific FPIC guidelines for REDD+ project proponents, whether private or public, on how to operationalize FPIC principles in their initiatives.

4.4 Building upon the experiences with the Benefit Distribution System (BDS) in the wildlife sector, Zambia to use the REDD+ process to develop a BDS that is fair and equitable to all stakeholders in order incentivize their effective participation in REDD+ activities.

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UNFCCC Existing Relevant PLR and Conventions/Agreements Safeguard 5. Consistency 5.1 The strategic objectives of this Strategy are all intended to promote with the conservation of forests and biological diversity through reduced conservation emissions from sectors considered as key drivers of deforestation and of natural forest degradation: Agriculture, Energy, Forestry, Mining, Land use and forests and Infrastructure development. biological diversity 5.2 As signatory to the UNCBD, Zambia’s strategic objectives are consistent with its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). 6. Actions 6.1 Zambia’s Environmental Management Act (2011) already provides a to address comprehensive set of provisions for social and environmental safeguards. the risks of This includes clauses on EIAs and SEAs, public redress mechanism and the reversals right to sue. However, enforcement of the Act is weak. Strictly enforcing the EMA (2011) with its clauses for SEA, EIA, public consultation and redress mechanisms, will be important, also to build the required capacities amongst national players to implement the safeguard system required under REDD+. 7. Actions 7.1 Zambia to promote non-carbon benefits as short-term incentives to reduce to reduce displacement of emissions displacement of emissions 7.2 Zambia to develop benefit sharing guidelines under REDD+

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38 NATIONAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION