…Deforestation claiming 276,000ha annually….
Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) has urged the New Dawn Administration to consider coming up with a Statutory Instrument – SI for ZERO Charcoal production.
Commenting on 400 by 50kg bags of charcoal impounded in Kapiri Mposhi by the Forestry Department,
CEJ has since called for investment in clean alternative energy and sustainable alternative livelihoods for communities involved in charcoal production.
CEJ Executive Director Maggie Mwape says the New Dawn Government deserves praise as 141 countries including Zambia recognized the importance of forests by signing the Glasgow Forest Declaration on 12th November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland during the Conference of Parties (CoP) annual summit (COP 26).
Ms. Mwape says the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, signed by key forest nations, aims to reduce deforestation to zero by 2030.
“This has raised hopes to curb the devastating impacts of deforestation in Zambia. If we could get deforestation to zero, it would be an incredible achievement both in terms of carbon, for biodiversity and conservation,” the CEJ Executive Director said.
She says CEJ will in January 2022 launch a Conservation Action Campaign called “Stop the Chop” contributing towards achieving the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests.
She stated that the forest cover for Zambia is estimated to be about 45.9 million hectares representing about 61.04% of the total land area.
“It is one of the most forested countries in Southern Africa. However, the deforestation rate is estimated at 276,000ha per year. Of the forests lost, it is estimated that 64.31% was to agriculture, 32.81% was to urban areas (including unplanned settlements) and the rest to mining and other activities,” Ms. Mwape said.
She further said forests in Zambia provide 80% of energy needs in the form of fire wood and charcoal.
“It is hard to overstate the effect of ending deforestation on everything from climate change and water security to wildlife and the welfare of indigenous communities,” Ms. Mwape said.
She said the major questions and concern for Zambia were how far Zambia would go towards halting deforestation.
“Can the New Dawn Administration sign an SI for ZERO Charcoal production then invest in clean alternative energy and alternative livelihoods? Are communities aware and able to appreciate carbon credit trading and its benefits? What binding national legislation have been put in place that makes it illegal for companies and financial institutions to fuel deforestation?” she asked.
Ms. Mwape said Zambia needed to start implementing stronger controls to crack down on those that were illegally deforesting.
“Furthermore it will need increasing support for more sustainable agricultural production and supporting other new economies based on the maintenance of forests, such as community-based tourism or harvesting forest products in a sustainable way,” she said.
The CEJ Executive Director called for sustainable alternative energy and alternative livelihoods which could not be overstated.
“We can’t deal with the devastating loss of habitat and species without protecting our natural environment. Ending deforestation is our best chance to conserve forests, wildlife and defend the rights of communities,” she said.
