From Forests to Finance: How Zambia's Carbon Registry Could Transform Climate Action

By Alain Kabinda

For decades, Zambia's vast forests, wetlands and rich biodiversity have been recognised as one of the country's greatest natural assets. Today, those ecosystems are becoming economic assets as well.

With the launch of the National Carbon Registry, Zambia has taken a decisive step into the rapidly expanding global carbon market, positioning itself among the first countries in the world to establish a fully integrated sovereign digital platform for managing carbon credits.

The move is more than a technological achievement. It represents a shift in how Zambia intends to finance climate action, attract green investment and protect its natural resources while pursuing sustainable economic growth.

This Development which is made by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) with support from the Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPAR6C) Programme, the registry establishes the digital backbone for Zambia's participation in international carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

At its core, the registry is designed to answer one of the biggest questions in carbon markets: Can carbon credits be trusted?

Carbon markets have often faced criticism over transparency, weak oversight and the risk of "double counting"—where the same emission reduction is claimed by multiple parties.

The digital platform will register carbon projects, track greenhouse gas emission reductions, verify climate outcomes and issue carbon credits using internationally recognised monitoring, reporting and verification standards.

Every carbon credit generated through the system can be traced, providing investors, governments and project developers with greater confidence that the environmental benefits are genuine and measurable.

Speaking during the launch in Lusaka Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary Mr. Douty Chibamba said transparency lies at the heart of the new system.

"Zambia's Carbon Registry is fully online, demonstrating our integrity and strong commitment to accountability and transparency. We will ensure that all activities conform to the provisions of Zambia's Green Economy and Climate Change Act and the Paris Agreement, and that actions related to our carbon credits are visible and can be reviewed by members of the public," he said.

Countries and companies around the world are searching for credible carbon credits to help meet their climate commitments.

With bilateral agreements already signed with Sweden, Norway and Switzerland under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, Zambia is now positioned to begin trading internationally recognised carbon credits.

This creates opportunities for new investment in forest conservation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and community-based climate projects.

Rather than relying solely on traditional development assistance, Zambia could increasingly attract climate finance by protecting ecosystems that naturally absorb carbon dioxide.

If well governed, carbon projects have the potential to generate employment, support conservation efforts, improve rural livelihoods and create new income streams while preserving forests that millions of people depend on.

It represents years of work to establish the legal, institutional and technical systems needed for Zambia to participate in global carbon markets.

And Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and integrated with the country's national greenhouse gas monitoring systems.

Acting Director General Christopher Kanema added that the agency is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity.

He said the registry will be fully integrated with Zambia's national Measurement, Reporting and Verification system to ensure seamless reporting between carbon market activities and national greenhouse gas accounting.

Such integration is expected to strengthen compliance with Zambia's Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement while improving oversight of climate mitigation projects.

Rather than importing solutions exclusively from outside the continent, Zambia partnered with Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency through South-South cooperation.

The collaboration allowed the two countries to exchange technical expertise and practical lessons while building systems tailored to African realities.

The registry was developed under the SPAR6C Programme, implemented internationally by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and delivered in Zambia by GFA Consulting Group and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre.

The partnership illustrates how African countries are increasingly collaborating to strengthen climate governance and unlock new sources of sustainable finance.

Meanwhile SPAR6C Zambia Team Lead Joachim Schnurr described the registry as a turning point.

"Today, Zambia transitions from a country of immense ecological potential to a nation with world-class climate governance," he said.

By reducing administrative barriers and preventing double counting, the registry is expected to make Zambia a more attractive destination for carbon finance investment.

Initially, it will support carbon projects developed under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

A second phase will expand the platform to include the Voluntary Carbon Market, enabling additional projects to register, report and monitor their performance.

The challenge now will be ensuring that carbon finance delivers tangible benefits for communities while maintaining high environmental standards.

Done well, the registry could become one of Zambia's most important climate governance tools—not only helping the country meet its emissions reduction commitments but also transforming its forests, wetlands and natural landscapes into engines of sustainable development.

In a world increasingly shaped by the green economy, Zambia is betting that environmental stewardship and economic opportunity can go hand in hand. The National Carbon Registry is the country's strongest signal yet that it intends to compete—and lead—in the global carbon market.