GREEN Economic and Environmental Minister Collins Nzovu says government is committed to making sure Zambia becomes a global beacon for environmental sustainability and a champion of green economy.

And Nzovu has called on members of parliament to play a role in sharing of information and knowledge about climate change challenges in Zambia.

Meanwhile, Voice for Just Climate Action Country engagement manager William Chilufya has urged members of Parliament to lobby for adequate funding to climate solutions through the national budget.

Speaking at the Members of Parliament orientation to climate change and the Voice for Just Climate Action Country programme in Lusaka, Wednesday, Nzovu said government was championing stronger resilience building against climate vulnerability through various programmes.

He said tackling climate change would present Zambia with an opportunity for green growth and jobs, new sources of exports and stimulation of trade and innovation.

“Climate change is a huge topic for sustainable development, as it continues to have severe impacts on Africa and its people and currently, evidence shows that Sub-Saharan Africa will be more impacted over the next 3-5 years. The New Dawn government is committed to making Zambia a global beacon for environmental sustainability and indeed a champion of the green economy. The New Dawn government appreciates the need to build capacity for tackling climate change with a particular focus on women, youths and marginalized communities working with cooperating partners and so as the government, we are championing stronger resilience building against climate vulnerabilities through various programmes such as pilot programs for climate resilience , strengthening climate resilience of agricultural livelihoods in agro-ecological regions and many more,” he said.

Nzovu said adequate efforts and finance were needed for adaption, mitigation and sustainable development.

“Adequate efforts and finance are needed for adaption, mitigation and sustainable development overall, and Countries need support to build the capacity to navigate and access the complexities of the different financing streams. allow me therefore, to take this opportunity to thank the Dutch government and implementing partners on the ground namely, WWF Zambia, HIVOS Zambia, Slum Dwellers International and others for complimenting government efforts with an investment of nine million euros to scale up Zambia’s climate action response targeting vulnerable communities across 10 districts in the Kafue and Lusaka Province region over the next five years,” he said.

And Nzovu called on MPs to play a role in sharing of information and knowledge on climate change challenges in Zambia.

“As a Member of Parliament myself, I believe that MPs like many of others stake holders, have a huge role to play in the sharing of information and knowledge on the climate change challenges in Zambia, existing gaps in the legal and policy frameworks and mapping of opportunities for joint advocacy,” said Nzovu.

Meanwhile, Chilufya asked members of parliament to lobby for adequate funding to climate solutions through the national budget.

“We are here today because we all know that climate change is a crisis which affects nature and has a devastating impact on human life. We also know that today, we have critical points in our fight against the raising of temperature. Currently, statistics show that only one dollar out of 10 of climate change finance goes to local level climate action. Clearly, this needs to change and we therefore, call on you the MPs to lobby for adequate funding to climate solutions through the national budget. We feel MPs should further create climate desks in their constituencies in order to spread information on the dangers of climate change to their people,” said Chilufya.

Chilufya also asked MPs should use their influence to spark climate smart responses.

About 13 members of parliament, both from the ruling party and the opposition, attended this meeting.