Zambia’s Draft Carbon Market Law to Simplify Climate Change Communication – Dr. Chibamba
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary Dr. Douty Chibamba says the forthcoming Statutory Instrument (SI) on Carbon Markets will make it easier to explain climate change and carbon trading to the general public.
Speaking during a stakeholder consultative workshop in Lusaka, Dr. Chibamba noted that explaining abstract climate-related concepts such as carbon markets and greenhouse gas emissions remains challenging without a clear legal framework.
He emphasized that once enacted, the SI will serve as a vital tool to simplify and demystify climate change communication in Zambia.
“Climate change is a knowledge-intensive field, and carbon trading is even more abstract. The SI will provide the legal foundation needed to bridge that understanding gap,” Dr. Chibamba stated.
He added that once the draft SI is finalized, the Ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Justice to expedite the commencement order, paving the way for a full Act of Parliament governing the carbon market.
The SI forms part of Zambia’s broader efforts under the Green Economy and Climate Change Act, 2024, which established the legal framework for climate action, regulated carbon markets, and created the Green Economy and Climate Change Fund. It also aligns Zambia’s domestic policy with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
According to Dr. Chibamba, the enactment of the law will not be the end but the beginning of intensified efforts toward climate change mitigation and adaptation. He called on stakeholders to remain engaged in the process.
The consultative meeting—supported by the SPAR6C Program, led by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)—enabled stakeholders to refine the Draft SI, identify gaps, and agree on a final version for submission to the Ministry of Justice.
The new Statutory Instrument will unlock Zambia’s participation in international carbon markets, attract green investments, and support the country’s commitments under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
