The project is set to mainstream climate change issues into national, sub-national, and sectoral plans and budget processes and also to develop prioritised adaptation actions with financing strategies.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ndashe Yumba commended the Government of Zambia for its commitment to combating climate change without leaving anyone behind as evidenced in the inclusivity of the NAP development process.
Mr. Ndashe Yumba was speaking on behalf of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Honourable Jean Kapata, MP.
Honourable Jean Kapata, MP, Zambia’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
“While climate change does not discriminate based on gender, it affects women, the elderly, and the disabled differently because of the socio-economic statues that influences their adaptive capabilities,” said Mr. Ndashe Yumba.
“I am pleased to inform you that the NAP development process will address issues of gender, guided by Zambia’s 2017 Climate Change Gender Action Plan (CCGAP).”
Zambia is characterised by climate change impacts in the form of rising temperatures, droughts, floods, and unpredictable rainfall patterns. The frequency and intensity of extreme climate events is expected to rise, posing significant risks to Zambia’s economy, its people’s livelihoods, and the sustainability of its natural resources base. The majority of Zambia’s population live in rural areas and rely on incomes from rain-fed agriculture, hence climate change undermines efforts to reduce poverty and enhance food security. The government, therefore, found it imperative for Zambia to build climate resilience for inclusive and sustainable development.
The development of the NAP allows Zambia to prepare its longer-term adaptation plan, covering both immediate and long-term adaptation actions. The project focuses on:
- building the capacity of key actors,
- providing clarity and coherence in the existing institutional structure,
- strengthening the necessary coordination mechanisms to enable a holistic approach to national adaptation planning, and
- resource mobilisation and implementation of adaptation activities.
The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through a at USD $2.2 million grant, received in 2020 as part of the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (the Readiness Programme), which supports country-driven initiatives to strengthen institutional capacities, governance mechanisms, and planning and programming frameworks towards a transformational long-term climate action agenda.
Global Water Partnership (GWP), who has been appointed by GCF as a Delivery Partner for countries to access the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, supported the Zambian government in preparing the proposal for readiness funding and continues to support the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in implementation of the project in Zambia through its regional water partnership, the GWP Southern Africa.
Watch the brief video below to find out more about this process, or click here.