Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
CIVIL society organisations, development partners and Government officials have reaffirmed their commitment to building an inclusive, transparent and high-integrity carbon market in Zimbabwe, with stakeholders calling for strong regulatory frameworks to ensure communities benefit from climate finance initiatives.
The commitment was made at the conclusion of a two-day Dialogue on Carbon Trading for Civil Society Organisations and Development Partners held in Kadoma this week.
The meeting brought together Government officials, Parliament, civil society organisations and development partners to strengthen understanding of Zimbabwe’s evolving carbon market framework and explore ways of ensuring equitable participation in the sector.
The second and final day of the dialogue focused on the operationalisation of the Zimbabwe Carbon Registry, the country’s regulatory framework, mechanisms for equitable distribution of the share of proceeds, and lessons drawn from local carbon projects and international carbon markets.
Speaking during the dialogue, Chief Director for Environment, Climate and Wildlife and Head of the Zimbabwe Carbon Markets Authority (ZiCMA), Mr Washington Zhakata, said the complexity of carbon markets required governments to establish robust policy and regulatory frameworks that inspire confidence among investors while safeguarding national interests.
He said the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 48 of 2025, the Environmental Management (Carbon Trading General) Regulations, marked a significant milestone by establishing the Zimbabwe Carbon Markets Authority as the country’s regulator and operationalising the national carbon registry.
Mr Zhakata said the framework was designed to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in carbon trading while ensuring Zimbabwe derives maximum benefits from its natural resources.
Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) Deputy Director Mr Shamiso Mtisis said the success of carbon markets should not be measured solely by the volume of carbon credits generated but by their contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting biodiversity and improving the livelihoods of local communities.
“Carbon markets must ultimately strengthen community resilience and support sustainable development while safeguarding our natural resources,” he said.
Chief Director in the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Mr Nesbert Samu, underscored the importance of effective parliamentary oversight and sound legislative frameworks to ensure carbon trading delivers tangible and equitable benefits to communities in line with national development priorities.
Participants also examined practical case studies from existing carbon projects in Zimbabwe and reviewed international experiences to identify best practices that could strengthen the country’s emerging carbon market.
The dialogue concluded with stakeholders pledging to work collaboratively towards developing an inclusive and high-integrity carbon market that supports Zimbabwe’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement while advancing broader sustainable development goals.
Organisers echoed a message from the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation, urging all stakeholders to play an active role in climate action, saying: “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
