Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.

This Environmental Management Strategic Plan, crafted by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), is a comprehensive nationwide framework spanning 2022 to 2026, succeeding the evaluation of the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan. With a primary aim to protect the environment and human health, the Plan encompasses environmental regulatory services, promotes low carbon emissions, and fosters social inclusion, aligning closely with initiatives outlined in the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP). The Plan addresses the following thematic areas (i) Environmental Regulation and Conservation resulting in Environmental Sustainability, strengthening environmental compliance monitoring, promoting low carbon development pathways, and protecting fragile ecosystems through the application of science and innovative principles in environmental assessments to promote the circular economy and use of renewable energy; (ii) Stakeholder Collaboration resulting in Stakeholder buy-in by creating a more comprehensive and consistent approach to stakeholder engagement processes that respond to client’s and stakeholder’s needs and interests; (iii) Operational Excellence resulting in high-quality service to achieve operational efficiency by improving internal operations and enhancing human capital as well as financial resources to execute the Agency's mandate effectively.
During the 2022-2026 timeframe, ZEMA pledges to execute six strategic objectives, each accompanied by intended outcomes, performance metrics, targets, and initiatives designed to showcase the agency's ongoing enhancements required to achieve desired outcomes in its focus areas. The strategic objectives are (1) improve environmental regulatory and compliance services by strengthening the Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification system, conducting comprehensive environmental assessments, reviewing standards, improving environmental audits, implementing extended producer responsibility, and promoting cleaner production; (2) enhance stakeholder engagement by improving the quality of identification, analysis, planning, disclosure of information, and consultation, while also bolstering the production and dissemination of information, education, and communication materials, alongside fostering collaboration on environmental research; (3) enhance financial resource mobilization and management to securing additional funds and ensuring prudent utilization of the financial resources, also strengthening the internal controls; (4) enhance internal processes and customer experience through the development and implementation of a Service Charter, while embracing innovation and automation for improved service delivery, and concurrently developing and reviewing internal guidelines to enhance the monitoring and evaluation of internal processes; (5) enhance human capital including the operationalization of capacity building programs, improvement of performance management, implementation of a comprehensive program to institutionalize core values, and the transformation and operationalization of the Integrity Committee; (6) improve administrative support enhancing an enabling environment for staff.