Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has disclosed that the Global Environment Facility has approved government’s proposal for a grant of six million, one hundred and eighty five thousand United States Dollars towards an Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) project.

Speaking at a media briefing, Jean Kapata said the Project will address the climate change vulnerability of ecosystems and rural communities around the Lukanga and Bangweulu Wetlands, which is being exacerbated by on-going degradation of wetlands and forests resulting in the reduction of the provision of ecosystem services.

Ms. Kapata said the outcome of the project is to reduce the vulnerability of communities living around wetlands and forests in Zambia to current and predicted effects of climate change, such as drought and flooding.

She adds that this will be achieved by strengthening the capacity of government and supporting rural communities living around wetlands and forests to adapt to climate change using Ecosystem based Adaptation.

“You may be aware that since 2017 the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been working with the UN Environment on a project proposal titled: Building the Resilience of Local Communities in Zambia through the Introduction of Ecosystem-based Adaptation into Priority Ecosystems, including Wetlands and Forests.”

“I am now happy to share with you and through you the nation at large, that the Global Environment Facility has approved Government’s proposal for a grant of Six Million, one hundred and eighty five thousand United States Dollars towards this project. The UN-Environment will serve as the Implementing Agency for this project.”

She explained that during its implementation, the project will aim to introduce energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuel sources to reduce the pressure on local ecosystems, increase knowledge and awareness on climate change, Ecosystem based Adaptation and the value of functioning ecosystems among others.

Ms. Kapata further said her Ministry through the Department of Climate Change and Natural Resources will coordinate the implementation of the Project, which will run for five years starting this year.

“I want to emphasize that the preparation of this proposal was undertaken with full participation of various stakeholders including those in the Lukanga and Bangweulu Wetlands and respective line ministries and provincial administrations in the project sites,” she said.

She stated that the ministry will ensure that the implementation of the project is done in a similar collaborative manner in order to achieve maximum results.

Meanwhile, the Minister said once executed, the project will contribute to the achievement of objectives of pillars of the Seventh National Development Plan such as Economic diversification and job creation, reducing developmental inequalities and enhancing human development.

She then directed Ministry Permanent Secretary Ndashe Yumba to ensure that the commencement of the Project is expedited in order for the nation to benefit from its outcomes.