Zambia Sugar reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by hosting the 2026 Mazabuka District World Environment Day commemorations, bringing together government institutions, development partners, community organisations, and schools to promote climate action and green growth.
Held on June 5 under the national theme, “Accelerating Zambia’s Climate Action for Green Growth and Sustainability,” the event was officiated by the Mazabuka District Commissioner and attracted key stakeholders, including the Mazabuka Municipal Council, WWF Zambia, the Forestry Department, KASCOL, the Department of Water Resources Development, the People’s Action Forum, and several local schools.
The commemorations featured a range of activities aimed at raising environmental awareness and encouraging community participation in climate action. These included a community clean up campaign at Nakambala Market, a six-kilometre climate awareness walk, the distribution of more than 300 tree seedlings, the planting of 2,000 trees, the donation of 50 refuse bins, and the launch of the Environmental Debate Challenge for secondary schools.
Zambia Sugar said the initiatives demonstrate the importance of partnerships in addressing climate challenges and creating sustainable communities.
Beyond the World Environment Day celebrations, the company continues to implement long-term environmental programmes designed to strengthen climate resilience and reduce its environmental footprint.
As part of its water stewardship programme, Zambia Sugar has upgraded more than 800 hectares of sugarcane fields from traditional furrow irrigation to efficient drip and subsurface irrigation systems since 2022. The investment is expected to improve water conservation while supporting sustainable agricultural production.
The company has also expanded its renewable energy portfolio by generating up to 40 megawatts of electricity from bagasse, a by product of sugar production. Additional investments include a 2 MW solar carport and a planned 15 MW solar power plant, reinforcing its commitment to clean energy generation.
To improve soil health and protect biodiversity, Zambia Sugar continues to utilise mill organics and nitrogen-fixing cover crops such as Sunn hemp to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilisers. The company is also undertaking scientific baseline studies to develop a comprehensive Biodiversity Management Plan that will guide future conservation efforts.
Zambia Sugar says its environmental strategy is centred on innovation, responsible resource management, and collaboration with communities and stakeholders to help build a greener, cleaner, and more climate-resilient Zambia.
The company reaffirmed that climate action requires collective effort and pledged to continue investing in initiatives that support environmental sustainability while contributing to the country’s long-term development goals.
