Zambia signs its Third Bilateral Agreement under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement at COP30
Lusaka, Zambia, Thursday, 20 November, 2025 – Today, Zambia, represented by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE), signed an Implementation (Bilateral) Agreement with Switzerland, represented by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The signing ceremony took place during COP30 in Belém, Brazil with support from the Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPAR6C) program. This marks a third Bilateral Agreement on Article 6 Cooperative Approaches for Zambia, having signed two other Bilateral Agreements with Norway and Sweden at COP29 in Baku last year (2024).
As a country, Zambia remains committed to contributing to global efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and achieving its nationally determined contributions through strengthening its enabling environment for carbon trading. Last December, it passed the Green Economy and Climate Change Act 2024 which provides the country with a legal framework to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and to domesticate the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, among others. Furthermore, it has a Carbon Market Framework in place and is in the process of finalizing a Statutory Instrument on Carbon Markets, which has reached advanced stages ahead of its approval for its publication.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Zambia – Switzerland Bilateral Agreement, Mike Mposha, Minister of Green Economy and Environment highlighted that since the enactment of Zambia’s Green Economy and Climate Change Act and the publication of the Carbon Market Framework, the Carbon Market secretariat, housed at the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, has continued to receive a considerable number of climate mitigation activity submissions for consideration on carbon market participation.
He further stated that the partnership between the Zambia and Switzerland would help Zambia not only implement high-quality climate projects, but also make a significant contribution towards Zambia achieving its other Sustainable Development Goals.
“We believe that the signing of this bilateral agreement with the Swiss government today will take us a step further towards seeking increased investments in Zambia’s climate mitigation activities.” — Hon. Mike Mposha, Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Zambia.
The Bilateral Agreement seeks to be mutually beneficial for both countries. In a statement provided by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, the department stated that the Bilateral Agreement between Zambia and Switzerland will establish the framework for Switzerland to implement CO2 emission reduction projects in Zambia, and to allocate the results toward its reduction target.
“By concluding these agreements, Switzerland is laying the groundwork for international climate projects that meet stringent environmental protection requirements while respecting international human rights standards.” — Minister Albert Rösti, Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC, Switzerland
As we move forward with this partnership, this Bilateral Agreement between Zambia and Switzerland is a critical milestone for negotiating the purchase of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) through a Mitigation Outcome Purchase Agreement (MOPA).
The Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPAR6C) Program is led by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) with GFA Consulting Group and UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre as the leading delivery partners in Zambia.
Press Release issued by MGEE Communications Unit
About the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment
The President of the Republic of Zambia in his address to Parliament on 10th September 2021, proposed the creation of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE). This was done in order to promote the focus on environmental sustainability through the strengthening of the institutional framework for implementing climate change commitments and effectively utilising the nation’s enormous natural wealth.
Subsequently, the Ministry was formally created through the Government Gazette Notice No. 1123 of 2021 with the responsibility of promoting effective and sustainable use of the environment, while at the same time, facilitating support for adaptation to and mitigation of the effects of climate change through low carbon developments.
https://www.mgee.gov.zm/
About the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. GGGI supports its 47 Member States’ transition into a low-carbon green economy. GGGI provides policy advice and technical support in the development of green growth plans, policies and regulations, and mobilisation of green investments.
www.gggi.org
About Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPAR6C)
SPAR6C is a five-year funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), through the German government’s International Climate Initiative (IKI). The programme supports stakeholders in Colombia, Pakistan, Thailand, and Zambia to become prepared to engage in carbon transactions under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
SPAR6C provides decision support to government counterparts, capacity building for private sector and technical assistance to identify and prepare potential mitigation activities. In Zambia it works with the GFA Consulting Group and the UN Environment Program Copenhagen Climate Centre, led by GGGI.
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