The National Assembly of Zambia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with One Acre Fund, a partnership aimed to strengthen the Legislature’s efforts to combating climate change and promote Speaker Nelly Mutti’s ongoing tree planting initiative.
The agreement also seeks to train Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff on climate related issues, including carbon markets.
Speaking during the signing ceremony and donation of over 2000 Musangu trees on Monday 12th May, 2025 at Parliament Buildings, Speaker Mutti said the initiative would help to bridge knowledge gaps and equip lawmakers with tools needed to draft effective and climate-responsive legislation.
She added that it would also foster environmental awareness among citizens and encourage them to plant trees in their communities as part of broader efforts to combat climate change.
Speaker Mutti explained that the “Speaker’s Plant a Tree Challenge,” launched in March, 2024 was designed to encourage Members of Parliament, parliamentary staff and the public to actively participate in tree planting efforts to counter deforestation and land degradation. She added that the initiative built on the earlier “Institutional Tree Planting Campaign” launched in July 2022, which was themed “Promoting a Green Parliament.”
“All these efforts were inspired by the devastating effects of climate change I personally witnessed, including the loss of hectares of maize crops during the 2023/2024 drought season,” Speaker Mutti said.
“These experiences pushed me to take action both personal and institutionally. Furthermore, the Speaker’s Plant a Tree Challenge aligns with the National Assembly’s ongoing agenda and supports the resolution adopted at the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in 2022, which urged Parliaments to promote sustainability.”
Speaker Mutti thanked One Acre Fund for their donation of Musangu trees, known locally as “fertilizer trees” for their ability to improved soil fertility, increase crop yields and absorb carbon from the atmosphere. She said the trees would be distributed to citizens both within and out of Lusaka, including to MPs, parliamentary staff and community groups.
She noted that the National Assembly aims to plant a minimum of 1000 trees per constituency nationwide and confirmed that so far, implementation already commenced in several constituencies across Northern, Southern, Copperbelt and Luapula provinces.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Dr. Doubty Chibamba, commended Speaker Mutti for her proactive stance on climate initiatives such as reforestation. He said that Government supports such collaborations critical to advancing environmental sustainability.
Country Director of One Acre Fund, Mr. Luke Viljeon, said the partnership reinforces the organization’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and community resilience. “By supporting the National Assembly, we are not only helping plant trees but also equipping MPs with tools, data, and partnerships needed to shape climate-smart policies.
Meanwhile, Nalolo Member of Parliament, Honourable Imanga Wamunyima, speaking on behalf of the Zambian Parliamentary Caucus on Environment and Climate Change (ZPCECC), said the Speaker’s environmental leadership had energized Parliamentarians to take action in their constituencies. He noted that tree planting must go hand in hand with legislative advocacy and budgetary support for climate programs.
And Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Ms. Loveness Mayaka, remarked that the collaboration aligns with the Assembly’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, which calls for strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders to advance climate action, foster green growth and enhance collective efforts in addressing the impacts of climate change.
