Zambia is intensifying efforts to secure a greater share of global climate finance by participating in a high-level international meeting in Paris focused on expanding carbon funding for sustainable forest management and low-emission development.
Officials from the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment are attending the Joint Green Carbon Funds Meeting, taking place at the World Bank Country Office in Paris from June 29 to July 2. The gathering has brought together governments, development partners and climate finance experts to explore ways of scaling up carbon finance through jurisdictional REDD+ programmes and results-based payment mechanisms.
The meeting comes as countries with significant forest resources seek to tap into growing international demand for high-quality carbon credits while strengthening conservation efforts and supporting sustainable economic development.
Zambia’s delegation includes Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP) Coordinator Noel Muchimba, Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Technical Officer Arthur Asumani, and TRALARD II National Coordinator John Banda.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry on Wednesday, participants are discussing practical approaches to mobilising results-based climate finance, sharing experiences on improving forest carbon stocks and identifying solutions to common challenges faced in implementing carbon finance programmes.
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The ministry said Zambia is using the forum to present its own experiences while learning from other countries that have advanced carbon finance initiatives.
“Zambia is using the platform to share its experiences while learning from other countries to strengthen the implementation of forest conservation and climate programmes,” the ministry said.
It added that participation in the Paris meeting demonstrates the country’s commitment to promoting sustainable forest management, strengthening climate resilience and expanding access to green carbon finance to support low-emission and sustainable development.
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Carbon finance has become an increasingly important source of funding for developing countries seeking to conserve forests while generating economic benefits. Under REDD+ programmes, countries can receive payments for verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions achieved by reducing deforestation and forest degradation, while also promoting conservation and sustainable forest management.
Zambia possesses vast forest resources that play a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, like many countries in southern Africa, it faces growing pressure from deforestation, unsustainable land use, charcoal production and agricultural expansion.
Government officials view carbon markets and international climate finance as important tools for protecting these forests while supporting rural livelihoods and delivering broader environmental and economic benefits.
The Paris engagement follows Zambia’s participation in the 64th United Nations Climate Change Subsidiary Body Meetings (SB64) held recently in Bonn, Germany, where the country continued to promote its climate agenda ahead of future global negotiations.
During the Bonn meetings, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, working in partnership with Switzerland’s KliK Foundation, hosted a side event examining the practical implementation of national carbon markets.
The event, held under the theme “National Carbon Markets in Practice: The Role of Sectoral Clarity on Additional Climate Action Under Article 6.2,” brought together representatives from Zambia, Malawi, Senegal and Switzerland to exchange experiences on developing effective carbon market systems.
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Discussions focused on strengthening national carbon market frameworks, identifying sectoral priorities, aligning carbon trading activities with national climate commitments under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, improving institutional arrangements and enhancing policy coordination.
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides a framework for voluntary international cooperation on emissions reductions, allowing countries to trade carbon credits while ensuring environmental integrity and supporting global climate goals.
For Zambia, strengthening its carbon market framework is expected to attract greater international investment, create new income opportunities for forest-dependent communities and provide additional resources to support conservation programmes and climate adaptation initiatives.
As international demand for credible carbon credits continues to grow, Zambian officials hope that stronger partnerships with development institutions and participation in global climate finance discussions will position the country to secure increased funding for forest conservation, sustainable land management and low-carbon economic development.
