By GIDEON NYENDWA
THE Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has officially launched its Environmental Protection Dialogue Strategy (EPD) and Implementation Framework.
The framework is a significant step forward following the successful EPD2023 and Traditional leaders Caucus (TLC) sessions. It defines goals, strategic objectives, activities, and funding requirements, with a detailed accountability mechanism specifying timeframes, responsible parties, and clear targets.
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The EPD is an environmental accountability space for all multi-stakeholders aimed at co-creating solutions to the country’s environmental challenges.
Speaking at the launch, CEJ executive director, Maggie Mwape said “stakeholder engagement is the heart of our strategy, ensuring sustained collaboration throughout EPD and TLC implementation.”
She called for expressions of interest from environmental institutions to form an implementing consortium, uniting key players across institutional, policy, legal, regulatory, funding, service provider, and community levels.
Ms. Mwape said the collective effort will amplify collaboration and ownership, influencing the breadth and context of their implementation endeavours.
And First Quantum Minerals country manager, Dr. Godwin Beene said FQM takes matters of environmental protection seriously not in a defensive manner but in a responsible manner.
“This framework is not merely a document but a road map that will guide our collective effort in translating resolutions of the EPD and the TLC into tangible and impactful actions,” Dr Beene said.
He said the EPD commitment to implementing environmental protection in all sectors resonates well governments dedication to tangible and on the ground results.
Wild Wide Fund for Nature county director, Nachoilala Nkombo said EPD is an important platform for sharing ideas on how to protect the environment which is a shared future for everyone.
Ms. Nkombo said there was need to ensure that a diverse array of stakeholders come on board to work towards the implementation of the EPD strategy.
Meanwhile Chief Ishima Sankeni of Zambezi commended the CEJ and its corpating partners for their instrumental role in orchestrating a series important environmental protection dialogue.
Chief Sankeni said the inclusion of traditional leaders through the creation of TLC which was worth noting.
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