PANAFRICAN CLIMATEUSTICE ALLIANCE

Gregory University,
Uturu - Nigeria

AFRICA
CLIMATECHANGEFU N D

UNLOCKING ZAMBIA’S CLIMATE POTENTIAL: ENHANCING STAKEHOLDER ROLESIN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS (NDCs)
African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)TECHNOPOLICY BRIEF NO. 82
Nicholas Ozor
Hope OkuthetĞŶƚůĂŶĚDƵŚĂƟĂŚ
Alfred Nyambane

Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al:
Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally
Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

Nicholas Ozor
Hope Okuthe
Wentland Muha ah
Alfred Nyambane

African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)AFRICA
CLIMATECHANGE
FUND

The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is atransdisciplinary network of researchers, policymakers, private
sector actors and the civil society promo ng the genera on,
dissemina on, use and mastery of Science, Technology andInnova ons (STI) for African development, environmental
sustainability and global inclusion. In collabora on with likeminded ins tu ons, ATPS provides pla orms for regional andinterna onal research and knowledge sharing in order tobuild Africa’s capabili es in STI policy research, policymaking
and implementa on for sustainable development.
Published by the African Technology
Policy Studies Network (ATPS)
P. O. Box 10081, 00100- GPO,
Nairobi, Kenya©2024
ISBN: 978-9966-124-52-4

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Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

Table of Contents
About the Project ....................................................................................... iv
About Africa Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)............................ vi
Acknowledgement...................................................................................... vii
Key Messages............................................................................................. viii
1. Introduc on ......................................................................................... 1
2. Ra onale for Stakeholder Par cipa on in NDC implementa on ........ 3
3. Methodology ....................................................................................... 44. Major Findings...................................................................................... 5
5. Conclusion............................................................................................. 10
6. Policy Recommenda ons..................................................................... 11
References............................................................................................ 13
ATPS Technopolicy Brief Series ............................................................ 14

Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)iii

About the Project
The Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs), with it’s condi onal anduncondi onal commitments, are key by-products of the Agreement andrequire all the countries to spell out their intended ac ons, to address climatechange over a ﬁve year period in terms of adapta on, mi ga on, and meansof implementa on as well as opportuni es arising therefrom and sustainable
development co-beneﬁts for the con nent. Despite the Paris Agreement providing
li le guidance on what and how climate change adapta on would be includedin the NDCs, most African NDCs highlight a number of cross-cu ng strategies
to address their mi ga on ambi ons as well as their adapta on needs. Thisis purblind considering the con nent is already dealing with increased severity
and frequency of climate risks and hazards due to its geographical posi oning,
overreliance on climate-sensi ve produc on sectors such as agriculture,
tourism, resource, and infrastructure deﬁcit, and the limited adap ve capacityof the people.
The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), in partnership with
the Pan-African Climate Jus ce Alliance (PACJA) and the West African Green
Economics Development Ins tute (WAGEDI), secured funding from the African
Development Bank (AfDB) through the African Climate Change Fund (ACCF) to
implement the “Building the Capacity of Selected sub-Sahara African Countries
to Eﬀec vely Measure Progress in their Na onally Determined Contribu ons’
Implementa on using Tracking Tools and Indexes” project aimed at enhancing
the capacity of selected sub-Saharan African countries to eﬀec vely monitor
and report on their Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs). The selected
countries include Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia,
Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The primary
goal is to develop and u lise tracking tools and indexes that will enable thesecountries to measure their progress in NDC implementa on accurately. Thisini a ve builds upon earlier collabora ons among ATPS, PACJA, and WAGEDI,
which involved the development of NDC implementa on monitoring andtracking tools in eight sub-Saharan African countries. The lessons learned fromthese earlier projects, as well as the networks and capaci es already established,
will provide a solid founda on for the current project. The collabora on aims toensure that par cipa ng countries can monitor their NDC progress and compare
their performance with other countries and regions in Africa.

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Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

The project seeks to address a signiﬁcant gap in the capacity of sub-SaharanAfrican countries to track and report on the implementa on of their NDCs. The
ATPS operates through a network of Na onal Chapters in 30 countries, which
includes 27 African and 3 Diaspora chapters. These Na onal Chapters are led
by Focal Persons who provide intellectual and administra ve leadership at thecountry level. By leveraging this established network, the project aims to train
NDC implementa on focal persons and champions who will use the tracking andmonitoring tools developed through this ini a ve.

Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)v

About Africa Technology Policy Studies Network(ATPS)The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is a transdisciplinary
network of researchers, policymakers, private sector actors and civil society
promo ng the genera on, dissemina on, use and mastery of Science,
Technology and Innova ons (STI) for African development, environmental
sustainability and global inclusion. The ATPS has over 5,000 members and 3000
stakeholders in over 51 countries in 5 con nents with ins tu onal partnerships
worldwide. We implement our programs through members in na onal chaptersestablished in 30 countries (27 in Africa and 3 Diaspora chapters in Australia, theUnited States of America, and the United Kingdom). In collabora on with likeminded ins tu ons, the ATPS provides pla orms for regional and interna onal
research and knowledge sharing in order to build Africa’s capabili es in STI policy
research, policymaking and implementa on for sustainable development.

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Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

Acknowledgement
The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) and its Partners PanAfrican Climate Jus ce Alliance (PACJA) and West African Green Economic
Development Ins tute (WAGEDI) express our sincere gra tude to all individuals
and organiza ons who contributed to the study on the implementa on ofZambia’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs). We are also thankful tothe various stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organiza ons,
the private sector, and local communi es led by the Zambia ATPS Na onal Chapter
Coordinator for their invaluable insights and feedback. Their ac ve par cipa on
and collabora on have been instrumental in shaping a comprehensive andinclusive approach to climate ac on in Zambia. Special thanks to the project
team from all the partnering ins tu ons. Lastly, we acknowledge the ﬁnancial
and technical support provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) throughits African Climate Change Fund (ACCF), without which this policy brief would
not have been possible.

Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)vii

Key Messages
 Broad and inclusive stakeholder par cipa on is crucial for the eﬀec ve
implementa on of Zambia’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs).
Diverse perspec ves and local knowledge from government agencies, private
sector, civil society, and local communi es must be integrated into climate
policies and ac ons to ensure ownership, accountability, and sustainablesolu ons tailored to local contexts.
 Strengthening coordina on mechanisms and inves ng in capacity building
are essen al to bridge the gap between scien ﬁc knowledge and policy
implementa on. This includes developing skills in climate modeling,
project development, and accessing interna onal climate ﬁnance, ensuring
stakeholders are well-equipped to contribute eﬀec vely to NDC targets.
 Zambia’s ability to achieve its NDC targets heavily relies on accessing
interna onal support for ﬁnance, technology transfer, and capacity building.
Mobilizing diverse funding sources and enhancing local capacity to manage
these funds are vital for the sustained implementa on of climate ac ons.
 While Zambia faces challenges such as limited domes c funding, technicalexper se, and data accessibility, there are signiﬁcant opportuni es toenhance stakeholder par cipa on. These include diversifying funding sources,
conduc ng comprehensive awareness campaigns, forming collabora ve
pla orms, and establishing innova on hubs to foster climate-smart solu ons.

viii Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

1. Introduc on
Zambia’s updated Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs) of 2021 presents
a dual-pronged approach aimed at se ng the country on a low-carbon andclimate-resilient development pathway. The NDCs are aligned with the country’s
Na onal Policy on Climate Change and the Seventh Na onal Development Plan.
The country set ambi ous mi ga on goals to transform into a low-carbon
society by signiﬁcantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions far beyond the 30%
target by 2030, compared to the business-as-usual scenario of 143 MtCO2eq
outlined in the NDC. These mi ga on ac ons are focused on sectors such asenergy, agriculture, forestry, land use, and waste management.
The NDCs also priori ses adapta on by mainstreaming climate resilience into
medium-term development plans and implemen ng ac ons across crucial
sectors like agriculture, wildlife, water, infrastructure, health and technology
transfer to enhance resilience. Key objec ves include promo ng sustainableprac ces in forestry, agriculture, renewable energy and energy eﬃciency to curb
emissions, building resilience in strategic systems and communi es, boos ng
research and capacity building, while integra ng climate change into policies andplanning frameworks. However, Zambia emphasises its reliance on interna onal
support through ﬁnance, investment, technology transfer and capacity building
to fully actualize its intended mi ga on and adapta on contribu ons outlinedin the NDCs.
Broad and inclusive stakeholder par cipa on is important for the eﬀec ve
implementa on and achievement of Zambia’s NDC targets. It ensures thatdiverse perspec ves, priori es and local knowledge from government agencies,
private sector, civil society, academic ins tu ons, local communi es andinterna onal partners are integrated into climate change policies, strategies
and ac ons. This par cipatory approach fosters ownership, accountability
and sustainable solu ons tailored to local contexts. Furthermore, it enables
the mobilisa on of collec ve resources, exper se and capaci es from various
stakeholders, enhancing the impact and eﬀec veness of climate ac ons.
Stakeholder engagement also facilitates capacity building, awareness raising andthe promo on of innova on, while providing pla orms for building of trust andcredibility in the process. Notably, the involvement of stakeholders in monitoringand evalua on processes strengthens transparency and accountability, ensuring
responsible implementa on of NDC commitments.
Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

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This policy brief aims to provide an analysis of the challenges faced in involving
diverse stakeholders in the implementa on of Zambia’s NDC under the Paris
agreement. It emphasises the beneﬁts of inclusive stakeholder engagement inenhancing the eﬀec veness, sustainability and local relevance of climate change
mi ga on and adapta on measures. The brief also oﬀers recommenda ons
to policymakers, stakeholders and development partners on strengthening
coordina on mechanisms, capacity building, and developing inclusive frameworks
for decision-making and monitoring processes. By addressing barriers andproposing tailored solu ons, this brief aims to create an enabling environment
for collabora ve and par cipatory climate ac on; suppor ng Zambia’s eﬀorts toachieve its NDC targets while promo ng sustainable development and building
resilience.

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Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
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2. Ra onale for Stakeholder par cipa on in
NDC implementa on
Zambia faces mul faceted challenges related to climate change, which requireconcerted eﬀorts from all segments of society to eﬀec vely address them. The
country’s vulnerability to climate change impacts such as droughts, ﬂoods, andtemperature increases, pose signiﬁcant threats to key economic sectors, including
agriculture, water resources, energy and infrastructure. These challenges
have far-reaching consequences for livelihoods, food security and sustainable
development. The cross-cu ng nature of climate change necessitates theinvolvement of various stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive
approach to NDCs implementa on. Zambia’s diverse geographical and socioeconomic contexts ranging from urban centres to rural communi es and fromarid regions to wetlands demand context-speciﬁc solu ons which can only beachieved through the par cipa on of stakeholders with local knowledge andon-the-ground experiences.
Addressing climate change in Zambia requires mobilizing diverse resources,
exper se, and capaci es across various sectors through inclusive stakeholder
par cipa on. The private sector’s involvement can drive innova on, technology
transfer, and climate-friendly investments, while civil society organisa ons
facilitate grassroots engagement, ensuring that the voices and needs of vulnerable
communi es are represented. Zambia’s commitment to promo ng genderequality and inclusive development underscores the importance of ac vely
involving women, youth and marginalized groups in NDCs implementa onprocesses to address their speciﬁc vulnerabili es and priori ze their needs inclimate change adapta on and mi ga on strategies. Moreover, the country’s
reliance on climate-sensi ve sectors, such as agriculture and natural resources,
necessitates the involvement of stakeholders with exper se in areas likesustainable land management prac ces, ecosystems conserva on and climateresilient agricultural techniques, where local communi es, indigenous groups,
and researchers can contribute knowledge and insights. Broad stakeholder
par cipa on ensures ownership and long-term sustainability of climate ac ons,
as diverse stakeholders ac vely involved in decision-making process are more
likely to support and contribute to the implementa on of NDC targets which
ensures con nuity and impact.

Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

33. Methodology
The methodology of the study that informed this policy brief involved a mix ofdesk, and quan ta ve and qualita ve methods. Desk study involved reviewing
and analyzing various grey literature and published reports, policies, strategies
and other secondary informa on sources related to climate change mi ga on
and adapta on in Zambia. These included na onal climate change policies,
reports on climate change projects and ini a ves and research works on climatechange mi ga on and adapta on. To complement the secondary data fromdesk studies, primary data was collected through quan ta ve and qualita ve
surveys using structured and open-ended ques onnaires. Key informants in
Zambia were iden ﬁed based on the informa on obtained from desk studies
and interviewed to gather deeper insights. Focus group discussions wereconducted to triangulate and validate the data and the informa on gatheredfrom desk studies and key informant interviews. Par cipants were drawn from
diﬀerent stakeholder categories. The data collected through various methods
were analyzed using appropriate techniques. Notes were compiled from thedesk review, and interviews were transcribed and detailed notes were prepared.

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Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
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4. Major Findings
4.1 Overview of key policies and ins tu ons involved in NDCs Implementa on
Zambia has established a comprehensive policy landscape to guide its climatechange response, spearheaded by the Na onal Policy on Climate Change (2016)
and the Updated NDC (2021) outlining mi ga on and adapta on targets.
Supplemen ng these are strategic frameworks like the NDC Implementa on
Framework (2023-2030) detailing priority sectors and outcomes, the Eighth
Na onal Development Plan (2022-2026) mainstreaming climate goals into thebroader development agenda, and the Gender Equality Strategy and Ac on Plan
(2022) promo ng inclusivity in the energy sector. Sector-speciﬁc policies including
the Renewable Energy Strategy (2022), Energy Eﬃciency Strategy (2022),
Na onal Policy on Transport (2019), and the Na onal Energy Policy (2019) alignwith climate objec ves. Assessments like the Third Na onal Communica on(2020) provide updates on emissions, sinks and mi ga on measures.
Although Zambia has a comprehensive climate policy landscape, the Na onal
Policy’s impact could be limited by inadequate resourcing, capacity gaps, andlack of cross-sectoral buy-in. Meanwhile, achieving the NDC targets heavily
relies on accessing interna onal support for ﬁnance, technology and capacity
building. Supplementary frameworks like the NDC Implementa on Plan andthe mainstreaming of climate goals into na onal development planning, havethe poten al to enhance coordina on and resource alloca on but may facechallenges in harmonising mul -stakeholder eﬀorts and securing sustained
funding. Sector-speciﬁc strategies promo ng renewable energy, energy
eﬃciency and gender equality in the energy sector could drive sustainability
and inclusivity; yet their impact may be undermined by technical, ﬁnancial andawareness barriers. The na onal strategies by assessments like the Na onal
Communica ons provide comprehensive updates on implementa on but may
risk becoming outdated. Ul mately, policy coherence, robust implementa on,
regular monitoring will promote eﬃcient and eﬀec ve NDCs ac ons in Zambia.
4.2 Best prac ces and impacts in NDCs implementa on
Zambia has made progress in implemen ng its NDCs and has achieved somenotable impacts through best prac ces like:-Ins tu onal strengthening: Zambia has taken steps to strengthen its
ins tu onal frameworks for climate ac on. The country established a dedicatedMinistry of Green Economy and Environment; tasking it with coordina ng
NDCs implementa on eﬀorts across various sectors and ministries to enhance
Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

5

commitment to centralizing and streamlining its climate change response. To
further support these eﬀorts, the country developed the NDC Implementa on
Framework (2023-2030); providing a roadmap for achieving its climate goals.
Addi onally, the government has created climate change units within key
ministries to facilitate focused and specialized management of climate-related
ac vi es, ensuring that climate considera ons are integrated into the opera onsof relevant government departments.
-Renewable energy development: Zambia has implemented renewable energy
projects like the construc on of solar mini-grids in Mpanta which harness
the country’s abundant solar resources to provide clean electricity to local
communi es. In addi on to this, the country has focussed on installing isolated
mini-grids in remote areas; improving access for rural popula ons previously
underserved by the na onal grid (UNFCCC, 2023). Complemen ng these solar
projects, the country has also invested in small-scale hydro-electric plants;
leveraging on its water resources to generate sustainable power. These diverse
renewable energy projects have collec vely contributed to increasing Zambia’s
clean energy capacity and enhancing energy security.
-Climate resilient agriculture: Zambia has promoted climate-resilient agriculture
to address the challenges posed by changing weather pa erns. The country has
implemented a range of innova ve prac ces designed to enhance agricultural
produc vity while simultaneously building resilience to climate impacts (UNDP,
2021). Agroforestry has also been widely adopted. Furthermore, Zambia haspromoted the use of drought-resistant crop varie es to maintain agricultural
produc vity in the face of unpredictable rainfall pa erns. These measures havehelped the country safeguard Zambia’s agricultural sector against the impacts ofclimate change while simultaneously improving livelihoods and food produc on.
-Forest conserva on and management: Zambia has implemented the Integrated
Forest Landscape Project (ZIFLP) with the aim of reducing the country’s
vulnerability to climate change while preserving its vital forest resources. TheZIFLP has an expansive scope targe ng 1.4 million hectares of land, beneﬁ ng
over 215,00- households. A key achievement of ZIFLP is its projected impact on
and reduc on of greenhouse gas emissions. by an es mated 29.2 million tons of
CO2 equivalent over 30 years1. This underscores the signiﬁcant role that forest
conserva on and sustainable management play in mi ga ng climate change.
1h

ps://www.biocarbonfund-isﬂ.org/programs/zambia-integrated-forest-landscape-program-ziﬂ-p

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Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
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The integrated landscape management addresses immediate deforesta on
concerns and promotes long-term sustainable prac ces.
-Stakeholder engagement and capacity building: Zambia has priori zed
stakeholder engagement and capacity building as key components of its climatechange response and NDCs implementa on strategy. The government has
undertaken extensive stakeholder consulta ons, recognizing the importanceof diverse perspec ves in shaping climate policies and ac ons. In parallel, they
have launched comprehensive public awareness campaigns focused on climatechange and country NDC commitments. Notably, Zambia has made concerted
eﬀorts to engage diverse stakeholders including women and vulnerable groups,
to ensure an inclusive and par cipatory approach to climate ac ons. This will inturn build widespread support and ownership of climate ini a ves; ul mately
enhancing the eﬀec veness and sustainability of Zambia’s climate change
response.
-Climate ﬁnance mobilisa on: Zambia has accessed interna onal climate
ﬁnance sources to support NDCs implementa on such as the Green Climate
Fund (GCF). GCF is a cri cal source of climate ﬁnance for developing na ons. The
country has also accessed the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) which
provides funding for climate adapta on ini a ves. They have also developed
a Na onal Climate Change Fund (NCCF) to mobilize and coordinate domes cand interna onal climate ﬁnance. The NCCF plays a vital role in streamlining thealloca on of resources to priority climate projects and programs ensuring more
eﬃcient and eﬀec ve use of available funds. The diversiﬁed ﬁnancing ini a ves
enhance the country’s capacity to direct resources towards its most pressing
climate-related needs, thereby accelera ng progress towards its NDC goals.
4.3 Challenges to Stakeholder Par cipa on in NDCs implementa on
Eﬀec ve stakeholder par cipa on is important for the successful implementa onof Zambia’s NDCs and the achievement of its climate change targets. However,despite the recognized importance of involving diverse stakeholders in the NDCs
implementa on process, Zambia faces several challenges that hinder full andeﬀec ve engagement of all relevant par es. These include:-Limited domes c funding and dependence on external support: Zambia
faces ﬁnancial constraints in implemen ng its NDCs, with domes c funding
insuﬃcient to cover the costs associated with comprehensive implementa on(Commonwealth Secretariat,2021). The country heavily relies on externalfunding sources such as the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) and theGreen Climate Fund (GCF) which may not be suﬃcient to meet the demands ofUnlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
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NDCs implementa on. Addi onally, many public and private sectors struggle toaccess dedicated climate ﬁnance due to complex procedures and requirements.
-Limited stakeholder awareness and engagement: Despite eﬀorts to involve
stakeholders, there is s ll a lack of widespread awareness and understandingof NDCs among public and private stakeholders (Sack et al., 2024). The limited
knowledge and skills related to climate change hinder the ability of stakeholders
to eﬀec vely contribute to and support NDCs implementa on.
-Insuﬃcient data for private sector engagement: The private sector lacks accessto comprehensive and reliable data that can inform their strategies and decisionmaking processes related to climate ac on and investments (Commonwealth
Secretariat, 2021). This data gap hinders the private sector’s ability to eﬀec vely
contribute to NDCs implementa on and develop innova ve solu ons.
-Limited technical exper se and capacity: Zambia faces a shortage of skilled
personnel and technical exper se in areas such as greenhouse gas emission
modelling, vulnerability assessments and cost-beneﬁt analysis of climate ac ons(GGGI, 2023). This makes it challenging to accurately quan fy the impacts of
NDCs implementa on and priori ze the most eﬀec ve interven ons.
-Incomplete implementa on of the MRV system: Zambia’s MRV system for
tracking progress and assessing the impact of climate ac ons is establishedbut not fully opera onal. This leads to gaps in data collec on, processing andrepor ng. This can hinder the accurate evalua on of NDCs implementa on
eﬀorts and limit the ability to make informed decisions and adjustments (ZEMA,
2024).
4.4 Opportuni es for Stakeholder Par cipa on in NDC implementa on
Despite the challenges faced in engaging stakeholders in the implementa onof Zambia’s NDCs, there are opportuni es to enhance par cipa on and a more
inclusive and collabora ve approach to achieving the country’s climate changetargets. These include:-Diversifying funding sources and enhancing local capacity: Zambia can explore
innova ve ﬁnancing mechanisms and broaden the range of funding sources
beyond tradi onal interna onal support to include increased domes c funding.
Local capacity can be built to meet donor requirements and manage funds
eﬀec vely to ensure sustainability beyond donor support.

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Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

-Conduc ng comprehensive awareness campaigns and forming collabora ve
pla orms and networks: Zambia can design extensive na onal media campaigns
to reach diverse audiences about the country’s NDCs, climate change impacts
and the importance of climate ac on. Crea ng mul -stakeholder forums andfacilita ng regular dialogue between public, private, and civil society actors will
enable knowledge sharing and coordinated ac ons. Peer learning and exchange
programs can allow stakeholders to learn from successful climate ini a ves andbest prac ces.
-Developing data accessibility and innova on hubs: Zambia can establish
innova on hubs that bring together the private sector, start-ups, academia andgovernment to collaborate on climate data solu ons. Open data ini a ves canprovide the private sector with access to climate data to spur innova on anddevelopment of climate-smart solu ons.
-Inves ng in targeted training and skills development programs for key
stakeholders: Zambia can leverage on interna onal partnerships to accesstechnical assistance and address speciﬁc capacity gaps through ini a ves likethe NDC Partnership’s Climate Ac on Enhancement Package (CAEP) and the
UNFCCC’s Capacity-Building Ini a ve for Transparency (CBIT).
-Enhancing policy alignment: Zambia can align its NDCs implementa on
framework with key na onal and sectoral policies like the Eighth Na onal
Development Plan to enhance the opportunity to advance mi ga on andadapta on ac ons in line with na onal priori es.
-Aligning with interna onal MRV standards: Zambia can align the MRV systemwith interna onal standards to provide a robust founda on to further develop
and integrate best prac ces in data collec on and repor ng. Enhancing thecapacity of local exper se to opera onalize and reﬁne the MRV system is a key
opportunity.

Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

9

5. Conclusion
Zambia has made signiﬁcant progress in implemen ng ac vi es aimed at achieving
the country’s NDC targets. They have established ins tu onal frameworks tooversee the implementa on eﬀorts, with the public and private sectors playing
key roles. However, challenges such as lack of governance cohesion, funding
and opera onalisa on bo leneck remain. For a successful mi ga on andadapta on, there is need for eﬃcient implementa on and collabora on among
stakeholders; coupled with adequate funding and proper func oning of the MRV
system. The country needs a comprehensive approach to NDCs implementa on,
considering governance, ﬁnancing, mi ga on, adapta on and MRV to enhance
decision-making, resource alloca on and progress evalua on.
Collabora on is key to building long-term capacity and resilience within the
country. It enables more eﬀec ve technology transfer, innova on and thedevelopment of climate-smart solu ons tailored to Zambia’s speciﬁc context.
Partnerships between research ins tu ons, businesses and policymakers will
enhance collabora ve eﬀorts and accelerate the transi on to a low-carbon,
climate-resilient economy while simultaneously addressing issues such as poverty
reduc on and economic growth. A united approach to NDCs implementa on
will not only strengthen Zambia’s ability to meet its climate commitments but
also posi on the country for sustainable development in the face of global
environmental challenges.

10 Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

6. Policy Recommenda ons
The following recommenda ons are proﬀered:
Recommenda on 1: Strengthen the coordina on and adopt a whole-of-society
approach to facilitate eﬀec ve collabora on amongst diverse stakeholders:This calls for establishing clear ins tu onal arrangements and coordina on
mechanisms to facilitate eﬀec ve collabora on among diverse stakeholders by
the government. This will promote inclusive governance in the country’s climate
eﬀorts and build a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for climate
ac on across society, leading to more eﬀec ve and sustainable implementa on
of NDC goals. The whole-of-society approach recognizes that addressing climatechange requires the ac ve par cipa on and commitment of all sectors ofsociety, not just government actors to harness collec ve poten al in comba ng
the impacts of climate change. Also, the government should come up with crosssectoral NDCs coordina on mechanism where all actors in the diﬀerent sectors
can come together to implement the NDC.
Recommenda on 2: The government of Zambia should opera onalize the MRV
system and establish a na onal climate data pla orm to enhance evidencebased decision-making across all sectors: A fully opera onal MRV would enable
comprehensive and con nuous data collec on, processing and repor ng, thereby
providing a solid founda on for evidence-based decision making. The country
will more accurately track progress against its NDC targets, allowing for mely
adjustments and adap ve management of climate strategies. Furthermore, anenhanced MRV system will empower various stakeholders to collect, analyseand communicate accurate and reliable climate data. This improved ecosystem
will support more transparent repor ng and facilitate be er-informed policymaking, more targeted interven ons, and increased accountability in climate
ac on eﬀorts. Zambia should also move fast and create an open-access digitalpla orm to consolidate climate data collec on, analysis and dissemina on in
one centralized loca on. This approach will enhance evidence-based decisionmaking across all sectors and facilitate greater stakeholder engagement by
providing data needed to inform climate-smart investments and strategies. The
emphasis on presen ng data in user-friendly formats and accessible languages
will ensure that informa on is u lized by a wide range of stakeholders.

Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in 11
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

Recommenda on 3: Ins tute a targeted capacity building program to bridge thegap between scien ﬁc knowledge and policy implementa on: A comprehensive,
long-term targeted capacity building program can focus on developing essen al
skills in climate modelling, project development, and accessing interna onal
climate ﬁnance. Government agencies and key stakeholders can build a robust
founda on of technical knowledge and prac cal skills for eﬀec ve climate
ac on. Collabora on between researchers, policymakers and prac oners
would also facilitate the transla on of research ﬁndings into ac onable policies
thus bridging the gap between scien ﬁc knowledge and policy implementa on.

12 Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

References
BioCarbon Fund. nd. Retrieved from h ps://www.biocarbonfund-isﬂ.org/
programs/zambia-integrated-forest-landscape-program-ziﬂ-p
Commonwealth Secretariat. (2021). Climate Finance Mapping for NDC
Implementa on in Zambia
Global Climate Fund (GCF). (2023). Readiness and Preparatory Support: Zambia
GGGI. (2023). Zambia Ar cle 6: Readiness and Needs Assessment. h ps://gggi.
org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SPAR6C-Technical-Brief_-Zambia-Ar cle-6Readiness-and-Needs-Assessment.pdf
Republic of Zambia. (2023). NDC Implementa on Framework for Zambia 20232030. Ministry of Green Economy and Environment.
Republic of Zambia. (2016). Na onal Policy on Climate Change. Ministry of lands,
Natural Resources and Environmental Protec on.
Republic of Zambia. (2020). Zambia Sustainable Development Goals Voluntary
Na onal Review.
Ministry of Na onal Development Planning.
Republic of Zambia. (2020). Third Na onal Communica on to the United Na ons
Framework Conven on on climate Change (UNFCCC).
Sack H., Mc Lean J., Chibambo L., & Macamo C. (2024). Strengthening Civil Society
Par cipa on in the NDC Revision Process: Insights fromMozambique, South
Africa and Zambia. Occasional Paper 357.
Tracking NDC implementa on in Zambia. Nd. Retrieved from h ps://climatetransparency-pla orm.org/sites/default/ﬁles/2024-03/Tracking%20NDC%20
Implementa on%20In%20Zambia-%20Peer%20to%20peer%20Exchange%20
Rev.2%20Charity%20Nalweya.pdf
UNDP. (2021). Retrieved from h ps://www.undp.org/zambia/projects/climateresilience-agriculture
UNFCCC. (2023). Retrieved from h ps://unfccc.int/climate-ac on/momentumfor-change/ac vity-database/momentum-for-change-renewable-energy-forsustainable-development-in-zambia
World Bank (2022). Retrieved from h ps://data.worldbank.org/indicator/
SP.POP.0014.TO.ZS?end=2021&most_recent_value_desc=false&start=2016

Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in 13
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

ATPS TechnoPolicy Briefs Series• Empowering Local Communi es and Enhancing Public Awareness for
Sustainable NDCs Implementa on in Namibia (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 81)• Empowering Stakeholders for Inclusive and Sustainable Na onally Determined
Contribu ons (NDCs) Implementa on in Botswana (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief
No. 80)• Uni ng for a Sustainable Future: Boos ng Stakeholder Engagement in Sierra
Leone’s Climate Goals (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 79)• Stakeholder Par cipa on in the Implementa on of Nigeria’s Na onally
Determined Contribu ons (NDCs): Best prac ces, challenges and opportuni es(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 78)• Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons(NDCs) Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es (ATPSTechnoPolicy Brief No. 77)• Stakeholder Par cipa on in the Implementa on of Na onally Determined
Contribu ons (NDCs) in Côte d’Ivoire (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 76)• Collabora ve Climate Ac on for Sustainable Development: The case of NDCs
Implementa on in Uganda (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 75)• Advancing Tanzania’s Na onally Determined Contribu on (NDCs) Goals
Through Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 74)• Enhancing Stakeholder Par cipa on in the Implementa on of the Na onally
Determined Contribu ons (NDCs) in Ethiopia (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 73)• Paving the Way for Climate Ac on: Kenya’s Journey towards Implemen ng the
Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs) (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 72)• Quelle Est La Place De La Science, De La Technologie Et De L’innova on Dans
L’emploi Des Jeunes Au Sénégal ? (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 71)• Using Science, Technology, and Innova on to Enhance Skills Development, Job
Crea on, and Entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 70)• Fostering the future and livelihood of young people in Uganda through Science,
Technology, and Innova on (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 69)• What is the place of Science, Technology, and Innova on in Youth Employment
in Senegal? (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 68)• Understanding Rwanda’s Science, Technology, and Innova on Landscape in
Youth Employment Crea on (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 67)• Leveraging Science, Technology, and Innova on for Enhanced Youth
Employment in Nigeria (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 66)• Unlocking the Poten al of Educa on and Skills for Suppor ng Youth
Employment in Kenya (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 65)
14 Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

• Harnessing Science and Technological Innova on for Youth Employment andSkill Acquisi on in Ghana (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 64)• Is Ethiopia’s Science, Technology, and Innova on Policy Landscape Eﬀec velyCrea ng Jobs and Fostering Skills for the Youth? (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No.
63)• University-Led Ecosystems for Sustained Innova on and Entrepreneurship
Development in Kenya (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 62)• Eco-innova on Policies for Sustainable Development in Africa (ATPSTechnoPolicy Brief No. 61)• Ins tu onal Landscape for Eco-innova on Development in Africa (ATPSTechnoPolicy Brief No. 60)• Policy and Ins tu onal Framework for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Benin(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 59)• Ins tu onal Framework for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Kenya (ATPSTechnoPolicy Brief No. 58)• Policy and Ins tu onal Framework for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Senegal(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 57)• Advancing Ecological Organic Agriculture in Nigeria (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 56)• Policy and Ins tu onal Framework for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Rwanda(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 55)• Bridging Climate Informa on Gaps to Strengthen Capaci es for Climate Informed
Decision (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 54)• Embracing Open Contrac ng in Africa (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 53)• The Digital Revolu on, Open Science, and Innova on for Open Science Developmentin Sub-Saharan Africa (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 52)• Nouvelles approaches de ﬁ nancement de la recherché et de L’innova on en Afrique(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 51)• New Approaches for Funding Research and Innova on in Africa (ATPS TechnoPolicy
Brief No. 50)• Towards Eﬀec ve Public-Private Partnerships in Research and Innova on: A
Perspec ve for African Science Gran ng Councils (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 49)• Innova ve Prac ces and Policies for Promo ng Biodiversity Informa cs in SubSaharan Africa (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 48)• Improving the Relevance of University Training to Labour Market Demands in Africa(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 47)• Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informa cs in sub-Saharan Africa (ATPSTechnoPolicy Brief No. 46)• ICTs role in Agricultural Development: Prospects of Land Poten al Knowledge System(LandPKS) (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 45)• Mainstreaming Gender in the Na onal Science, Technology and Innova on (STI)
Policy of Kenya (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 44)
Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in 15
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)

• Social Innova on: An Untapped Resource for Inclusive Green Growth (ATPSTechnoPolicy Brief No. 43)• Policy Axes that Can Uphold Agricultural Innova ons for Climate Change Adapta on
and Food Security in Central Africa: Case of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central
African Republic (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 42)• Frameworks for Intellectual Property Protec on of Tradi onal Knowledge in Tanzania(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 41)• Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protec on Op ons of Tradi onal
Knowledge System in Ethiopia (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 40)• Towards inﬂuencing Na onal Legisla on, Policies, Strategies and Programmes forappropriate Protec on and Beneﬁt-Sharing of Tradi onal Knowledge (TK) with andby Tradi onal Herbalists in Uganda. (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 39)• Tradi onal Healers and their Provision of Mental Health Services in Cosmopolitan
Informal Se lements in Nairobi, Kenya. (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 38)• Policy Implica ons for Intellectual Property Systems for Tradi onal Healers in
Lesotho. (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 37)• Incidence of Indigenous and Innova ve Climate Change Adapta on Prac ces for
Smallholder Framers’ Livelihood Security in Chikhwawa District, Southern Malawi.
(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 36)• Machobane Farming System and its Relevance to Climate Change Policy in Lesotho.
(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 35)

16 Unlocking Zambia’s Climate Poten al: Enhancing Stakeholder Roles in
the Implementa on of Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)HNO

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