MGEE to Engage Partners for Advanced Training in Environmental Law
The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE), under the leadership of Hon. Mike Mposha, has announced its readiness to collaborate with cooperating partners to support advanced training for legal practitioners and members of the judiciary in specialized areas such as climate change mitigation, carbon markets, and environmental law.
During a courtesy call from the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), Hon. Mposha emphasized the critical role legal professionals play in addressing climate change at both national and international levels.
He highlighted that the ministry is committed to facilitating scholarships and training programs to empower Zambian legal practitioners with international best practices in environmental law, contributing to the protection and conservation of the nation’s natural resources.
“The legal profession in Zambia has a vital role in developing national legal frameworks, interpreting multilateral agreements, and ensuring that Zambia benefits from international climate change mechanisms,” Hon. Mposha stated.
He further noted that Zambia’s reliance on climate-sensitive sectors such as hydropower and rain-fed agriculture makes the country particularly vulnerable to climate shocks, underscoring the need for a robust legal response.
The minister also mentioned that President Hakainde Hichilema’s declaration of the recent drought as a national disaster has led to the formulation of a comprehensive emergency response plan. This plan includes immediate, short-term, and long-term measures to combat the crisis, with legal input being a crucial component.
MGEE is currently advancing efforts to establish a Climate Change Bill and strengthen forest protection laws, with plans to seek LAZ’s input in these legislative processes.
Hon. Mposha praised LAZ for its proactive stance on climate change, including the recent launch of a climate change capacity-building program.
LAZ President Mr. Lungisani Zulu expressed gratitude for the ministry’s invitation and affirmed LAZ’s commitment to supporting national efforts in addressing climate change through legal expertise and innovation.
