Lusaka, Wednesday, 4th September, 2024 – Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Mike Mposha has thanked ABSA Bank for pioneering the keep fit programmes through the ABSA marathon over the years at a time when there is a sharp rise of the Non Communicable Diseases in the country.
Speaking when a team led by ABSA Bank PLC Chief Executive Officer Ms. Mizinga Melu paid a courtesy call on him, Hon. Mposha said the Ministry will be taking part in the 2024 marathon slated for this Saturday, 7th September, 2024 saying a healthy workforce promotes productivity.
And the Honourable Minister said the meeting is taking place at a time when the climate crisis is having a profound impact on the planet, economies, and societies.
“The world is experiancing rising temperatures, persistent droughts and floods -more frequent natural disasters, and unpredictable weather patterns are just a few of the many manifestations of this global crisis. The country is currently undergoing a drought situation which has been exacerbated by climate change and the El Nino weather occurance, the crisis which has threatened national food security, as well as water and energy supply,” he said.
He said he was aware of the Bank’s initiatives such as partnership with Forestry Department in the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) PLC to promote tree planting and address the impacts of climate change in Zambia.
Hon. Mposha added that the support to the country’s preparation and participation in the United Nations Conference of Parties (UN – COP) demonstrates a clear dedication to fight climate change and contribute to low carbon and climate resistant development.
“ABSA Bank Group has aligned well its business strategy by being consistent, measured and balanced in climate change and environmental support that speaks to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement, National Development Plans and Regional Legislative Frameworks,” he said.
“Your personal leadership in this area sets a shining example for other banking institutions to follow, and I am confident that your efforts will have a positive impact on our country’s future but also the planet’s future.”
He noted that Government has put in place enabling policy frameworks to address climate change and green growth that also set platform of engagement and collaborative efforts as enshrined in (i) Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC); (ii) National Adaptation Plan (NAP); (iii) the Green Growth Strategy; and (iv) Carbon Market Framework.
He said the Ministry desires that stakeholders, including financing institutions, recognise how they can enhance the implementation of these frameworks to achieve the country’s climate and green growth ambitions.
Hon. Mposha said support in the Carbon Market and financing of green innovations in the energy, agriculture, and water sectors provide significant opportunities for the banking sector.
He said these ventures will help the country chart pathways to sustainable and inclusive economic growth while improving environmental integrity.
Hon. Mposha said he was therefore grateful that the collaboration with ABSA Bank PLC will result in a more sustainable environment that is conducive to both business and society.
The Honourable Minister also called for partnerships on Electric Vehicles which could be branded by the sponsors and used by the Ministry for day to day activities to raise awareness on the use of Electric Vehicles.
He said Government Ministries, schools should be installed with solar power to reduce dependency on hydro power
And ABSA Bank PLC CEO Ms. Mizinga Melu said the Bank will continue raising awareness on issues of climate change and would see how the Bank can help contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.
