A Tree-based economy and clean energy provision in Zambia: Presentation of an integrated project approach
Zambia is one of the countries with the lowest electrification rates in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 93% of the population in rural areas do not have access to reliable and clean energy and – to an even greater extent – to clean water. The effects of climate change, which caused ongoing droughts in large regions of Zambia seriously aggravated the difficult economic situation and challenging living conditions of people in rural Zambia. Water supply becomes further limited, and food security is at risk since the majority of the people in these areas are subsistence farmers. A lack of energy access is also pushing the level of deforestation, which is already among the highest in the world. A joint initiative of researchers from the University of Oxford, business organizations and CSOs are trying to address these challenges through an integrated project approach which combines off-grid renewable energy solutions for rural communities, irrigation and sustainable farming. The ‘Plant A Million Zambia‘ as a partner of these projects, is an initiative intended to tackle deforestation & climate change by planting as many trees as possible; while fighting poverty through economic usage of the planted trees, with projected figures of 2 billion by 2021. The approach of the initiative is rooted in the 3Es (Education, Economy, Ecology) which enables it to make sustainable & lasting impacts on people, profits & the planet. It is led by a global cross-sectoral board brimming with some of the best minds on the world. It seeks to maintain the extraordinary effort of schools and pupils in planting trees and convert it into a student habit.
Date: 17 June 2019, 10:30 (Monday, 8th week, Trinity 2019)
Venue: Dyson Perrins Building, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY
Venue Details: Gilbert Room
Speakers: Emanuel Chibesakunda (Plant a million' Initiative Zambia), Dr Susann Stritzke (Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford)
Organiser: Susann Stritzke (SSEE)
Organiser contact email address: susann.stritzke@smithschool.ox.ac.uk
Booking required?: Required
Booking email: susann.stritzke@smithschool.ox.ac.uk
Cost: Free
Audience: Public
Editors: Chris White, Helen Morley, Donna Palfreman