The actors guide summarizes information on historical and current Zambian government ministries and agencies whose missions concern environmental or energy policy in Zambia.

• Energy Regulation Board (ERB)

The ERB was created under the Energy Regulation Act of 1995 and the Energy Regulation Act (Commencement Order) of 27th January 1997 with the goal of balancing the needs of undertakings with the needs of energy consumers. The ERB is responsible for ensuring that utilities earn a reasonable rate of return on their investments that is necessary to provide a quality service at affordable prices to the consumer. In order to carry out this role, the ERB, among other functions, ensures that all energy utilities in the sector are licensed, monitors levels and structures of competition, investigates and remedies consumer complaints.

Further resources: ERB website, Energy Regulation Act of 1995, ERB reports from 2007-2015 (see policy database.)

• Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI)

The MCTI is Zambia's principal government body responsible for administering national policy for private sector development. It coordinates industrial, commercial and trade matters and collaborates with various public and private sector organizations to facilitate the implementation of government sector policies related to trade and industry. To this end, MCTI's work relates to manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.

Further resources: Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry website

• Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development

Following the merger of the Ministry of Mines with the Ministry of Energy and Water Development in 2012, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development helps to coordinate and implement various programs in these sectors. To this end, the ministry manages the Department of Geological Survey, Department of Mine Safety, Department of Energy, Department of Water Affairs, and Department of Planning and Information.

Further resources: Description of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development

• Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (MLNREP)

MLNREP was formed in 2012 from the now-defunct Ministry of Lands, Energy and Water Development. Sectors under MLNREP's mission include forestry, land use for agriculture, and alternative energy,

Further resources: MLNREP website, MLNERP ministerial statement of 2013

• Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (MMMD)

The MMMD organizes both private-sector and public-private mining activities, with a particular effort to diversify mining and mineral extraction beyond copper.

Further resources: Description of MMMD, MMMD ministerial statement of 2011

• Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (MTENR)

The MTENR was created in January 2002 by merging the two former Ministries of Tourism (MOT) and of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) arising from the need to integrate tourism, environment and natural resources considerations in Zambia’s sectoral and socio-economic planning processes. The MTENR is charged with the responsibility of providing guidance in tourism, environment and natural resources sectors of the economy of Zambia, with a specific goal to facilitate the development of a diversified, sustainable and regionally competitive tourism industry and ensure a quality environment and sustainable utilization of heritage and natural resources. To this end, MTENR manages the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Management, Department of Forestry Department, the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ), and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA.)

Further resources: MTENR website

• The National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO)

NWASCO was established in 1997, with the goal of ensuring sustainable, commercial, responsible water delivery and increasing public access to affordable, sanitary water, and public education regarding water use. In particular, NWASCO both advises government policy frameworks related to water and establishes and enforces its own standards and guidelines.

Further resources: NWASCO website

• Southern African Power Pool (SAPP)

Organized in 1995, SAPP is a cooperative organization of the national electricity companies of Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia (represented by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation and the Copperbelt Energy Corporation,) and Zimbabwe. SAPP has developed common power grids and markets between member countries, with the goal of promoting development and market competition in the region.

Further resources: SAPP website, SAPP annual reports

• Zambia Development Agency (ZDA)

The ZDA was established in 2006 as the amalgamation of five statutory bodies previously responsible for promoting economic growth and development. It serves a multi-faceted mission both as an advisory and regulatory body, including ensuring that industrial development in Zambia remains ecologically sustainable.

Further resources: ZDA website

• Zambian Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA)

ZEMA was established by the Environmental Management Act of 2011. It serves primarily in an advisory role, drawing on impact assessments to recommend policies that promote the stable management of the Zambian environment.

Further resources: ZEMA website, description of ZEMA from REDD, Environmental Management Act of 2011

• Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA)

ZAWA was established an independent agency of the Zambian government by the Zambia Wildlife Act of 1998, with the aim of preserving the national parks, game management areas, and wildlife sanctuaries managed by the Zambian government. In July 2015, it was announced that ZAWA would be abolished as an independent agency and reconstituted under the Ministry of Tourism and Arts.

Further resources: Ministry of Tourism and Arts website

• Zambian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL)

Sponsored by the European Union, MAL plans and monitors Zambian agricultural projects, with a dual mandate to promote economic activity in the agricultural sector and sustainable agricultural development. To this end, MAL is the parent organization of The Department of Agriculture, Seed Control and Certification Institute, and Zambia Agriculture Research Institute.

Further resources: Ministry of Agriculture website, National Agriculture Policy