Many of the most pressing environmental problems facing humankind today are global problems which need to be addressed on an international front, rather than localized issues which can be addressed by individual countries acting alone. For this reason, international environmental treaties is becoming increasingly important as an instrument in attempting to encounter global environmental problems like ozone depletion, climate change, species extinction and desertification. Zambia, for many years an international outcast, is a party to the majority of international conventions and has an important role to play in international environmental law by virtue of its position as one of the stronger African countries. This presentation will provide an outline on the three environmental conventions to which Zambia is a party namely, the united nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) but not limited to the other conventions. Key words: international environmental treaty and treaty. Treaties can be referred to by a number of different names: international conventions, international agreements, covenants, final acts, charters, protocols, pacts, accords, and constitutions for international organizations. Treaties may be bilateral (two parties) or multilateral (between several parties) and a treaty is usually only binding on the parties to the agreement. An agreement "enters into force" when the terms for entry into force as specified in the agreement are met. Bilateral treaties usually enter into force when both parties agree to be bound as of a certain date. Therefore, an international environmental agreement or sometimes referred to and environmental protocol is a type of treaty compulsory in international law, allowing them to reach an environmental goal. In other words, it is an intergovernmental document intended as legally mandatory with a primary stated purpose of preventing or managing human impacts on natural resources (Jackson, 2001). United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Jackson (2001) explains that, the UNFCCC was adopted in New York in May 1992 and entered into force on 21 March 1994. Zambia ratified the Convention on 29 August 1993. The objectives of the UNFCCC are: to stabilize greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere to a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change; to ensure that food production is not threatened; and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner (Swanson, 1999). Buncher (2001) provides explanations on actions required for adaptations and mitigation measures. He asserts that, National governments within the UNFCCC have developed national strategies in response to the national threats caused by the impact of climate change. The global response to the existing impacts of climate change is reflected in the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. The latter commits governments, including Zambia, to adopt policies that facilitate and promote mitigation and adaptation, and to deploy adaptive technologies to address climate change impacts. I also concur with (Buncher, 2001) in that, Zambia developed this National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) to support and facilitate a coordinated response to key climate change issues in the country. The Strategy is targeted to support Zambia in positioning itself strategically to respond to the adverse impacts of climate change. In addition, the NCCRS will help Zambia contribute to the achievement of the overall objective of the UNFCCC, which it ratified in 1993. The Strategy covers both adaptation and mitigation interventions, among other important recommendations. Thomas (2001) identifies three (3) programs driven by the country’s Climate Response Strategy in mitigation of climate change and supported by national development policies including energy, forestry, agriculture, water, Town and Country Planning, sanitation, and transport. Further, these programs have been developed based on Zambia’s plans and actions and supported by various climate-related activities such as reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) and Technology Needs Assessment (TNA). These programs are; sustainable forest management, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Sustainable forest management; this program involves implementing forest enhancement including natural regeneration and afforestation/reforestation, sustainable charcoal production to include improved kilns, improved cooking devices to include improved biomass stoves, use of ethanol and gas stoves, and switch to electric stoves, participatory forest management and Forest fire management. Sustainable agriculture; this program involves implementing, Conservation/ Smart agriculture, Rural biogas plants and Rural biomass electricity generating facilities. However, this will promote conservation/ smart agriculture activities leading to adaptation benefits and enhancing climate resilience, especially in rural areas, and generation of electricity from agriculture waste. Renewable energy and energy efficiency; To promote the switching from conventional and traditional energy sources to sustainable and renewable energy sources and practices, and use of off grid renewable energy technologies for rural electrification as decentralized systems. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) The environmental council of Zambia (ECZ), (2001) explained that, the text for this Convention (CBD) was adopted in Nairobi in 1992 and opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. It entered into force on 29 December 1993. Its objectives are: to ensure the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components; and to promote a fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies (taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies), and by appropriate funding. In line with ECZ (2001) which noted that, On May 8, 1993 Zambia ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity. Thereafter, the Country embarked on formulation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in 1999. Prior to the formulation of NBSAP a country study was undertaken by the then Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. The formulation the NBSAP took into account the diversity within species, between species and of the ecosystems. Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) According to Swanson (1999), the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) was adopted in Paris on 17 June 1994 and came into effect on 29 December 1996. It was ratified by Zambia on 9th September 1996. The objective of the CCD is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international co-operation and partnership arrangements, in the framework of an integrated approach which is consistent with Agenda 21, with a view to contributing to the achievements of sustainable development in affected areas. The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ), (2010) critically reflects that, sustainable development objectives for Zambia have been supported by sectoral policies and strategies that fulfill national obligations. The policies and strategies have been developed over the years, since independence, and are aimed at contributing to achieving environmental sustainability. It further asserts that, the country’s national Conservation Strategy (NCS) of 1985 identified and recommended institutional and regulatory reforms. This culminated into enactment of the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act (EPPCA) of 1990, which led to the establishment of the Environmental Council of Zambia. In 1994 the NCS was updated into the national Environment Action Plan (NEAP), and highlighted key environmental problems that included unsustainable harvesting of natural resources and deforestation. According to Thomas (2001), Zambian government with support from the cooperating partners has been implementing programmes/projects aimed at promoting effective environmental protection and sustainable management of the natural resources. These programmes and/or projects implemented in collaboration with communities are in line with the NAP and UNCCD provisions and they include the following: community based natural resource management (CBNRM), Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Management Programme (EPNRP), Sustainable Management of Zambia’s Protected Areas (SMZPA) and National Tree Planting (NTP). To conclude, in relation to the global treaties on the environment, Zambia has fared fairly well despite being a third world country. As developing countries strive to alleviate poverty, Zambia has certain policies and strategies that fulfill the nation’s obligations to the treaties.
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