Highting the importance of agroforestry for addressing societal challenges at event for the President of Zambia
To mark Zambia’s 60th year of independence, the Rhodes Trust hosted a “Standing Up for Zambia” event in Oxford, on June 21st 2024. The event aimed to enable dialogue between the Zambian government and stakeholders on supporting the country’s development agenda.
Climate change panel discussion
Following a keynote address by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, NbSI’s Lubasi Limweta participated in a panel discussion on climate change. The increasing frequency and intensity of droughts and floods in Zambia threaten water and energy security, endanger food security, and severely impact small-scale farmers, whose livelihoods depend entirely on their crops. The discussion emphasised the critical need for interventions that build resilience and promote growth in climate-vulnerable sectors, enabling Zambia to meet the demands of its growing population.
Nature-based solutions
The vital importance of ecosystem restoration was emphasised, particularly in light of Zambia’s dependence on natural resources. Lubasi highlighted the potential of nature-based solutions to tackle the intertwined challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and livelihood enhancement, and described examples from Ghana’s agricultural landscapes, where agroforestry systems are boosting resilience to climate shocks while supporting biodiversity.
Addressing deforestation and energy sources
Audience members raised concerns about Zambia’s deforestation rates. Lubasi responded by stressing the need to address the demand for charcoal as a primary energy source. He suggested that Zambia could reduce deforestation rates by transitioning to more sustainable cooking solutions.
