Zambia Climate Change Network (ZCCN) Board Chairperson, Monica Chundama, has emphasized the need for collaboration to strengthen the collective response to climate change in Zambia.
Ms Chundama said ZCCN has successfully partnered with the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in advocating for and implementing climate change adaptation strategies.
This came to light when ZCCN Board Member Muketoi Wamunyima delivered a speech on behalf of Ms Chundama during the Strengthening Civil Society Voices Climate Change Advocacy in Zambia National Learning Workshop, held in Lusaka and supported by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).
She said the workshop aims to educate participants on government priorities, identify areas where CSOs can contribute to implementation plans, and deepen understanding of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Ms Chundama acknowledged CEJ’s leadership in the project and expressed gratitude to the United Nations Democracy Fund for their generous support.
Speaking earlier, Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) Executive Director Maggie Mwape, emphasized the urgent need for climate action during the CEJ-UN Democracy Fund CSO training on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) implementation in Lusaka.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a present reality that affects every aspect of our lives. In Zambia, we have witnessed the devastating impacts of floods, droughts, rising temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns. These changes are not mere statistics; they represent stories of displaced families, lost livelihoods, and communities struggling to cope. Our agricultural sector, which forms the backbone of our economy, has been particularly hard-hit, impacting over 60% of our population who depend on it for their livelihood. Additionally, the energy sector heavily relies on hydro generation,” she stated.
Ms Mwape said despite Zambia’s supportive policy frameworks aimed at climate change adaptation, their effectiveness is hindered by poor stakeholder technical capacity, weak coordination, and insufficient institutional arrangements.
“This lack of coordination results in uncoordinated actions and inadequate adaptation measures, leading to significant economic losses. The most vulnerable groups, including rural women, youths, and marginalized communities, bear the brunt of these impacts,” Ms. Mwape explained.
She said the CEJ project, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund, is committed to addressing the challenges as the project focuses on strengthening the climate advocacy capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) across five districts: Lusaka, Chirundu, Chongwe, Luangwa, and Rufunsa.
“Through training, stakeholder consultations, dialogue, and knowledge sharing, we aim to build robust frameworks for advocacy in the national adaptation plan (NAP) process and the implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs),” she added.
