Support under the Warsaw Framework for REDD+

Building on the results under the country’s National Programme (completed in 2014), targeted support has assisted Zambia on enhancing the quality of land cover change assessments to support the development of the historical GHG emissions trend for REL/RL construction. Follow up support, approved in 2015, aims at developing the National REDD+ investment plan, consolidate the alignment of the Warsaw Framework (elements of NFMS, develop and present forest reference levels and SIS design) for the implementation of the National REDD+ strategy, develop a business plan for mining and private sector engagement in REDD+ and enhance capacity on tenure for REDD+.

National REDD+ Strategy/Action Plan
Zambia developed a national REDD+ strategy which provides the overall vision, measures and actions to address deforestation and forest degradation. The strategy was approved by Cabinet and during a high level dialogue at a Ministerial level meeting held in April 2015. As part of this meeting, the Benefits of Forest Ecosystems in Zambia and the role of REDD+ in a Green Economy transformation’ was also discussed. The findings of the report were included in an Issues and Options report that fed into the development of a REDD+ National Strategy of Zambia. As part of transitional plan from strategy development to implementation, a joint inter-agency targeted support proposal was developed with Government and was approved by UN-REDD management. As part of the targeted support, a REDD+ investment plan will be developed and used to leverage resources and investments for Zambia. The investment plan development has commenced and is being developed jointly by UN-REDD and FIP. Finally, as part of strategy development and mainstreaming of REDD+ into policy processes, Zambia now has a New Forest Act (2015). Six subsidiary legislations are emanating from the Forest Act which will provide specific guidance on key aspects of the Forest Act.

Forest Reference Emission Level / Forest Reference Level (FREL/FRL)
The analysis of the integrated Land Use Assessment II (ILUAII data to provide robust emission factors and the forest cover change assessment for the period 2000-2010 were finalized to support the country’s submission of its FREL/FRL to the UNFCCC, scheduled for January 2016.

National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)
Through targeted support the land cover change assessment was finalized and change maps are ready. Results will be available after the accuracy assessment and quality control are completed.

Safeguards and Safeguards Information System (SIS)
The approach for SIS is outlined in the draft strategy and rooted in Zambia’s existing legal framework (national policies, laws and regulations that define and regulate the effective implementation of the safeguards), the country’s institutional framework (existing procedures for implementing and enforcing the legal framework), and a framework for assessing progress against the implementation of the safeguards. 

In addition, a South-South exchange workshop on tenure issues held, convening experts from Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The workshop highlighted lessons learned and best practices to address REDD+ and tenure issues in the region.