The Zambian economy is predominantly based on
the exploitation of the country's natural resources.
The adverse effects of climate conditions to which
the country is exposed overtly affect these
resources. Climate-induced changes to physical
and biological systems are already being felt and
exerting considerable stress on the country
vulnerable sectors. Already, the country's sensitive
sectors - agriculture and food security, wildlife,
forestry, water and energy, and human health have
been adversely affected by climate change, thereby
significantly affecting the economic, social, and
environmental dimensions of our national
sustainable development.
The primary concern of the Government is to
protect its people, infrastructure, and other national
assets against disasters and climatic hazards such
as droughts and floods. It is in this regard that
Government has put in place the National Disaster
Management Policy and the Disaster Management
and Mitigation Unit under the Office of the Vice
President in order to respond to the disasters at
the national level. Government is also committed in
ensuring that the vulnerable communities who
suffer the most are supported with safety-net
initiatives which would enhance their adaptive
capacity in reducing their vulnerabilities.
As a party to the Least Developed Countries
(LDCs), Zambia recognizes that it has limited
resources to effectively respond to the threats
posed by climate change. It has therefore taken
appropriate steps by responding to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) initiatives, to which it's a party, and
devised strategies against climate change through
this National Adaptation Programme of Action
(NAPA) and other programmes.
There is significant recognition country wide of the
importance of a national plan such as the NAPA
that will steer the country forward in adapting and
ameliorating problems related to climate change.
This noble cause has received considerable
attention in the Fifth National Development Plan
(FNDP) in which the Government has pledged to
complement and support the NAPA. The NAPA will
complement the efforts of the government through
the following:
(1) contributing to the security of the vulnerable
Zambians
(2) ensuring that the livelihoods of the most
vulnerable households are secured against the
adverse effects of climate change and their basic
needs assured
(3) vulnerable groups are protected from the
worst impacts of risks and shocks as a result of
climate change and
(4) creating public awareness of the adverse
effects of climate change.
It is hoped that the formulation of NAPA will not be
seen as an academic exercise but a serious step
towards addressing the urgent and immediate
needs of our country against the backdrop of
climate change. On behalf of Government I would
like to appeal to the international community, our
cooperating partners, and other stakeholders to
support the NAPA through the implementation of
intervention projects identified in the document so
that adaptation to climate change is enhanced.
Zambia therefore takes pride in submitting this
action plan to UNFCCC Secretariat and remains
indebted to the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) for their support in finalizing this
NAPA document.

Posted by eco generation regional ambassador to Zambia,article by climate change Zambia.