LUSAKA, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Zambia called on Friday for the creation of a special fund dedicated to the development of the forestry sector in Zambia.
In its proposal submitted during a consultative forum for the country's 2026 national budget, WWF Zambia suggested that the government establish a forestry sector fund using resources collected from the carbon tax to recapitalize the forestry sector and ensure the full operationalization of the green economy.
According to the conservation organization, the current practice of depositing carbon tax revenues into a central government account disadvantages the forestry sector, which manages the carbon sink at a very low capacity despite generating substantial funds.
It noted that the money collected through the carbon tax is not being allocated to the sector, which is essential for achieving the nationally determined climate targets.
"The carbon tax was introduced to support the operations of the forestry sector, which sequesters 90 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. The forestry sector is Zambia's biggest climate change safety net, crucial for maintaining the rain cycle and growing the green economy," WWF Zambia said.
Creating a dedicated forestry sector fund would enhance the sector's capacity in terms of human resources, financial resources and necessary tools and equipment, enabling it to operate at full scale, it added. ■