Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) is an independent environmental regulator and coordinating agency, established through an Act of Parliament, the Environmental Management Act no 12 of 2011. It is mandated to do all such things as are necessary to protect the environment and control pollution, so as to provide for the health and welfare of persons, animals, plants and the environment. ZEMA is governed by a board which provides strategic direction, develops policies approves its work plans and budget as well as monitoring of its functions as it relates to administration of the EMA.

Mandate

“To ensure sustainable management of natural resources, protection of the environment and prevent and control pollution“

Mission

“To safeguard human welfare and the environment, through effective environmental management for present and future generations"

Vision

“To be a world class environmental management authority that promotes quality service delivery for sustainable development"

FUNCTIONS of ZEMA

Advising government and the private sector on environmental management and pollution control matters

Initiating and promoting research, training & investigations in environmental management

Ensuring the integration of environmental concerns in national planning

Monitoring trends of natural resource usage and resulting impacts on the environment

Advising the Minister on declarations of protected areas and their management

Gathering and disseminating information to the public on environmental protection and pollution control

Coordinating the implementation of activities of ministries & other authorities in environmental management

Conservation of biodiversity

Licensing undertakings and processes involving waste water, hazardous waste, Ozone Depleting Substances and chemicals

Environmental management through tools such as SoE, NEAP, Environmental Management Strategies, EIA & SEA

Environmental protection and pollution control including;

OUR CORE VALUES

Committed to upholding our values of customer service, integrity, transparency, accountability and partnerships by:

Treating every customer/client with respect, dignity and fairness;

Upholding high standards of professionalism and ethics;

Ensuring transparency and openness in all our dealings at every level;

Ensuring that we are individually and collectively accountable for all we handle and all we do, including people, resources, decisions and actions;

Working with all, for the current and future generations, through strong partnerships at individual, household, community, sector, national, regional and global levels; and

Upholding the law as established.