Environmental Management (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 2025.

These Regulations, consisting of 24 Sections and 5 Schedules, aim to establish that projects listed in the First Schedule must undergo an environmental impact assessment before implementation, and developers of projects likely to adversely affect the environment must submit an environmental and social project brief or impact statement to the Zambia Environmental Management Agency. For an environmental and social impact statement, the developer must submit Agency-approved terms of reference, required information, and comply with Agency guidelines, including conducting public consultations and preparing a scoping report. In deciding on an environmental and social impact statement, the Agency considers predicted impacts, proposed mitigation measures, and comments received during the review process. It also takes into account public hearing reports, where applicable, and any other relevant factors related to the proposed project. Article 12 provides for projects that do not fall under the First Schedule and are likely to harm the environment. The Regulations also require that a developer approved apply for the necessary licence to implement the project and notify the Agency in writing at the commencement of the project. They further mandate the Agency to maintain a register of environmental impact assessment reports and related audit, monitoring, and evaluation reports.
Schedule 1 lists projects requiring an Environmental and Social Impact Statement or Project Brief across ten main sectors (1) Mining and Minerals – exploration, mining, smelting, and processing of minerals and petroleum; (2) Water and Energy – dams, water use, power plants, renewables, transmission lines, and fuel storage; (3) Agriculture – large-scale farming, livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and biotech; (4) Forestry and Wildlife – timber, reforestation, wildlife management, and protected areas; (5) Tourism and Hospitality – hotels, lodges, golf courses, and tourism infrastructure; (6) Mine Waste – tailings, waste rock, slag, and overburden dumps; (7) Hazardous and Industrial Waste – disposal sites, incinerators, and storage facilities; (8) Urban and Rural Development – settlements, industrial estates, hospitals, shopping, and recreation; (9) Transport Infrastructure – roads, railways, airports, pipelines, bridges, and harbours; (10) Processing and Manufacturing – cement, chemicals, fertilizers, food, metals, textiles, and industrial plants. Projects are classified Class I to V based on scale and environmental impact to determine assessment requirements.