Zambia Launches Honey Plant, Signs $30M Carbon Credit Deals
The Government of Zambia, through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, has launched a honey processing plant and signed two landmark agreements aimed at boosting climate action and sustainable development in Eastern Province.
Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Mike Elton Mposha, officiated the event held at the Protea Hotel in Chipata. The agreements signed include the Nested Emission Reduction Performance Agreement (NERPA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO). Both form part of the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP).
The initiative integrates forest conservation, climate mitigation, and community development. Minister Mposha revealed that 55 chiefdoms have been engaged in the programme, positioning Eastern Province to trade its first ton of carbon credits before the end of 2025.
The EP-JSLP is expected to generate up to 28.9 million tonnes of carbon credits between 2024 and 2030. The World Bank has committed $30 million to purchase the first 3 million tonnes.
The programme is also backed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes, with support from Germany, Norway, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.
Minister Mposha said the resulting revenue will be distributed transparently among the 55 chiefdoms and partners based on a Benefit Sharing Plan developed through stakeholder consultations.
The minister also launched a honey processing plant at the COMACO Hub, which aims to provide green jobs and alternative income sources to rural communities while reducing pressure on forests.
The event was attended by government officials, traditional leaders, COMACO CEO Dr. Dale Lewis, World Bank Country Manager Mr. Achim Fock, and development partners.
