MINISTER of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu has asked Sweden and other developed countries to encourage their nationals and corporations to invest in renewable energy and sustainable environmental management in Zambia.

Speaking when he met Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Anna Maj Hultgård, Friday, Nzovu said investment in sustainable agriculture and forestry management was key to greening the Zambian economy.

“Zambia is determined to rebuild its economy using the green growth pathway, therefore, I wish to invite you and other cooperating partners to encourage investment in Zambia in areas such as renewable and alternative energy like solar, wind and bioenergy. Investment in sustainable agriculture, forestry management and environment management is key to greening the Zambian economy. We want to learn from Sweden on the path to take as Zambia endeavors to reduce its own carbon footprint through reduction of emissions from greenhouses, automobiles and industries, among others,” he said.

“We are worried about climate change and we need to strengthen our early warning systems, and ensure that we are resilient to climatic changes. When Sweden is formulating its five-year Development Cooperation Strategy for Zambia, it should consider incorporating support for renewable energy, biodiversity, air quality monitoring and electronic waste (e-waste) management.”

And Ambassador Hultgård informed the Minister that Sweden would ensure it aligned its Development Cooperation Strategy for Zambia with the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), which was being formulated.

She further briefed Nzovu about the Stockholm plus 50, a High-Level international environmental meeting to be held in Sweden in June 2022.

Ambassador Hultgård invited the Ministry to be part and parcel of the conference which will commemorate the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Environment and celebrate 50 years of global environmental action.