Hon. Nzovu Calls for Robust IMRV System
Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu MP, has called for the establishment of a robust Integrated Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (IMRV) System to enhance the nation’s active participation in carbon markets.
Speaking at a meeting held at the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) offices, Hon. Nzovu highlighted the critical role of the IMRV system in effectively implementing Zambia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to combat climate change.
In 2021, Zambia revised and submitted an ambitious NDC to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), expanding both mitigation and adaptation actions.
Hon. Nzovu explained that the revised NDC includes additional sectors such as liquid waste, coal, and transport, in addition to sustainable forest management, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy and energy efficiency outlined in the initial NDC.
The Minister emphasized the target of Zambia’s first NDC, aiming for an estimated total emission reduction of 38,000 gigagrams of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030, translating to 47 percent.
This goal relies on substantial international support compared to the alternative of 20,000 gigagrams of carbon dioxide equivalent, or 25 percent, achievable through domestic efforts with limited international support, using 2010 as the base year.
Hon. Nzovu elaborated on the adaptation component of the NDC, which includes indicators to track progress in building resilience in both human and physical ecosystems.
The Minister expressed optimism that with the implementation of outlined adaptation interventions, Zambia’s resilience to climate change would increase from a low level in 2021 to medium by 2030.
Underscoring the importance of the IMRV system and carbon register, Hon. Nzovu stressed their role in fulfilling reporting obligations under the UNFCCC, particularly in the formulation of biennial transparency reports and national communications.
As Zambia prepares for its first biennial transparency report and the fourth national communication, the Minister highlighted the necessity of the IMRV system, asserting its significance in revising the NDC and facilitating the nation’s effective participation in carbon markets.
The Director General of Zambia Environmental Management Agency, Mr. Godfrey Mwiinga, expressed honor in hosting the IMRV system for Zambia’s NDC.
He emphasized ZEMA’s commitment to ensuring the country contributes significantly to global efforts in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change.
