Zambia - Atlas of our Changing Environment

SOME PROGRAMMES IMPLEMENTED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR

A number of programmes have been implemented to strengthen environmental management in Zambia. These include the Copperbelt Environment Project, Environment Support Fund, Environment and Natural Resources Management

and Mainstreaming Programme, Lake Tanganyika Integrated Management Programme, Integrated Land Use and Assessment, and Millennium Development Goals.

Copperbelt Environment Project

The CEP offered an opportunity for a concerted and more holistic approach to addressing historical environmental problems, particularly the environmental liabilities that arose as a result of mining sector reform. During the implementation of the project, the environmental regulatory framework was reviewed and environmental management plans were prepared by individual mining units. Other achievements of the project include: • Establishment of a monitoring system for the implementation of environmental management plans and their compliance with environmental regulations; • Regular monitoring of pollution flows and loads resulting from mining operations; • Improvement of the MSD and ZEMA’s capacity to enforce regulations and performance; • Enhancement of civil society capacity for active participation in environmental management; • Enhanced co-ordination and partnership among authorising agencies and

Following the privatization of the majority of the copper mines on the Copperbelt, the Government of the Republic of Zambia inherited some of the mine’s liabilities that the new mine owners were not willing to take. In order to address these environmental liabilities, the Copperbelt Environment Project (CEP) was launched. The project was supported by the World Bank, the Nordic Development Fund and the Internal Development Association. The project comprised two components: the establishment of the Environmental Management Facility (EMF) and the strengthening of the environmental regulatory framework. The EMF was established to finance the costs of priority environmental and social mitigation measures required as a result of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines’ (ZCCM) past operations, as well as ongoing activities on properties that remained with ZCCM-Investment Holdings. This was in addition to funding mitigation measures agreed upon with the investors who bought the ZCCM mining assets. The Environmental Regulatory Framework was designed to strengthen the institutional framework that requires the Mine Safety Department (MSD), ZEMA and ZCCM to monitor the Environmental Management Plans agreed upon by the various private investors as well as by ZCCM. The framework also assisted in building capacity within national institutions to monitor the implementation of the environmental mitigation commitments made by the investors and ZCCM.

collaborating institutions so that they effectively participate in the regulatory framework; and, • Increased environmental awareness and public participation (ECZ, 2009).

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ZAMBIA - ATLAS OF OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT