Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Mposha, says government has started regular generation and updating of data on the stocks and flows of natural resources such as land, forest, wildlife tourism and water.
Mr. Mposha says the generation and updating of data is aimed at improving policy decision making in the utilization of natural resources.
He said this in Lusaka today when a French Delegation led by French Ambassador to Zambia, Thomas Rossignol paid a courtesy call on him.
Mr. Mposha said government is expectant of the 193,000 Euros request submitted by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency-ZEMA for enhancing coordination for Greenhouse Gas emission measurement, monitoring reporting and verification as it contribute to Zambia’s alignment to international emission reduction commitment and support -making on climate change related investments.
“Government also remains appreciative of the capacity building fund of 90,000 euros approved for the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) to allow for a comprehensive forest inventory aimed at quantifying the availability and quality of wood in pine plantations”, said Mr. Mposha.
And French Ambassador to Zambia, Thomas Rossignol noted the contribution of the African forests in reducing global warming stating that without these forests, global warming would have reached alarming levels unbearable for the world to contain.
Ambassador Rossignol also disclosed that the French government wants to create partnerships with Zambia in various sectors as it looks at the country as a key partner.
By Margaret Mwanza
