Lusaka, Saturday (November 9, 2024)
Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) program in Zambia has emphasized the need for increased dialogue on critical minerals.
CCG Climate Change Specialist Dr. Kabwe Mubanga has since commended the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) for uniting local and international stakeholders to discuss the issue, including realigning land governance in the wake of planned expansion in mining activities.
Dr. Mubanga highlighted CCG’s involvement in various initiatives, including environmental financing and decentralized energy planning.
He stressed the importance of managing local emissions to aid Zambia’s transition to sustainable energy and transport.
Dr. Mubanga also noted the significant issues surrounding mining and past compensation disputes in the north.
He made the remarks during the Stakeholder Dialogue Meeting on Critical Minerals and Land Use in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) Board Member Boniface Mumba stated that the meeting was part of ongoing research between CEJ and CCG.
He emphasized the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions, increasing the demand for critical minerals like copper and cobalt, which are abundant in Zambia.
Mr. Mumba pointed out the challenges and opportunities in extracting and governing such resources, particularly for local communities and Zambia’s ecosystem.
“The dialogue aims to promote sustainable development while safeguarding local communities’ rights and interests. By bringing together government agencies, organizations, local representatives, industry players, and international partners, we hope to foster an open and constructive conversation around governance and community-centered approaches necessary for sustainable development in the mining sector,” he said.
He reaffirmed CEJ’s commitment towards pushing for fair, inclusive, and transparent practices that respect community rights.
And Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) Head of Research and Studies Freeman Mubanga stated that their current research projects focus on land use governance in Zambia.
He highlighted that the key issues needing attention include the expansion of extraction of minerals and developments observed over the past few years, particularly in the context of the energy transition.
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.