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The forestry sub-sector as a whole contributes to about 5.2% of Zambia's GDP. The total national biomass is estimated at 6 billion tonnes. There are approximately 2.8 billion tonnes of carbon stored in Zambian forests. The potential for increased carbon sequestration from the terrestrial forests in Zambia is generally high due to the high total growing stock of the forests and the potential for reducing emission from the forests. Over 65% of the forests are secondary regeneration with active growth potential.

(...) The forestry sub-sector has great potential for (...) carbon sequestration and trade. (...)

The country has a new National Forestry Policy since 2014. It aims to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. It is also focused on ensuring increased forest cover and enhanced carbon stocks through integrated participatory forest management, improved law enforcement and private sector investment.

The sub-sector faces several challenges, including low investment, safety and health risks related to the use of old technology in the production of forest products, and a lack of innovative and incentive-based mechanisms to encourage stakeholder participation in sustainable forest management.

According to the authorities, the new policy will explore appropriate approaches to developing value addition and sustainable resource management.

The Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development is responsible for the mining policy in Zambia. During the review period, the main legislation regulating the sector (the Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2008) was reviewed and replaced by the Mines and Minerals Development (Amendment) Act, 2015. It entered into force on 1 July 2015. In substance, the Act revises regulations relating to the exploration of mining and processing of minerals; provides for safety, health and environmental protection in mining operations; and provides for the establishment of the Mining Appeals Tribunal.

Under the Mines and Minerals Development Act, there is a strict requirement that a person shall not explore for minerals or carry on mining operations, mineral processing operations or gold panning, except under the authority of a mining right, mineral processing licence, or gold panning certificate granted under the Act. In addition, written approval by the Environmental Management Agency of the environmental impact assessment is required.

In 2010, First Quantum Limited acquired the Sentinel copper deposit project, located in the North-Western Province of Zambia. It is part of the Trident project, which comprises five prospecting licences totalling 2,300 square kilometres. First Quantum received large-scale mining licences for the development of the Trident project in 2011. The licences give the company the exclusive rights to carry out mining operations on the full area of interest at Trident for a period of 25 years. The environmental impact assessment was approved and a land use agreement was established in July 2011 for the development of the Sentinel deposit. (...)

(...) In 2014, the ERB (Electricity Regulation Board) issued a total of 12 licences in the electricity sub-sector (two for generation, two for distribution and eight for manufacturing, supply, installation and maintenance of solar energy systems). (...)

ZESCO (Zambia Electricity Supply Company) produces its power from three main hydropower plants: Kariba North Bank, Kafue Gorge and Victoria Falls power stations. In addition, the company generates limited amounts of power from its four mini hydropower stations located in the northern part of Zambia and ten isolated diesel stations in some remote parts of the country that are not yet connected to the grid.