ZAMBIA SUGAR BUILDING RESILIENCE THROUGH BETTER WATER MANAGEMENT

Water permeates life on Earth. It is essential as an enabler and sustainer both of life such as plants, animals, and of human civilization. This implies that both quality and availability is critical for sustaining life. Water together with food and energy form a nexus that is at the heart of sustainable development. It can be said without doubt that access to abundant clean water drives economic success of a wide range of sectors. It is used in homes for drinking, cleaning and hygiene associated activities, in agriculture for crop and animal support while in the industry it has wide application and is referred to being the oil of Industrial. For Zambia, water is also used to generate hydropower, another major driver for the economy.

Despite the key role that water plays, it has been noted that growing economies, population growth and changing lifestyles has spiked up the demand for water, food and energy putting pressure on the fresh water that is already limited. Fresh water is being lost from the water cycle due to pollution and abstracting it more quickly than it is replenished.

This is the case everywhere in the world and Zambia has not been spared despite being endowed with abundant water resources. This is being further complicated by global climate change. The climate change and extreme precipitation events are likely to become more frequent at the time when droughts and low water flows are also expected to increase.

It is anticipated that water situation will become a key limiting factor in the growth of most economies and a potential source of conflicts. Against this background there is increased recognition of managing this shared risk considering not just the impact on the economy but also the potential conflict associated with shortage.

The 2024 world water day has taken this into consideration with the theme dubbed Water for peace to highlight the benefits of water management as a conduit for peace, showcasing effective mechanisms and tools to enhance cooperation and prevent water-related disputes.

The call to invest in understanding the challenges and repercussions associated with water scarcity and taking action to manage this shared resource in a sustainable way is urgent. The complexity of issues threatening water security cannot be addressed by one single actor. It calls for a multi-stakeholder collective action. Water stewardship has become more urgent now than ever before. Water stewardship is for the great good. In the case of businesses, it is the means for business continuity and becoming more resilient to water related challenges as they arise.

For Zambia Sugar, access to a reliable supply of water is a critical strategic priority to meet its needs and to ensure surrounding communities can meet theirs. Through the Zambia Sugar Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Strategy, it has positioned itself to mitigate against these water threats and is playing a leading role in driving water security initiatives both at operational and catchment level. Zambia Sugar identifies both immediate and long-term environmental risks and takes necessary action that reduces impact beyond legal requirements.

At operational level, Zambia sugar is focused on building a strong environmental culture. Through enhancing infrastructure resilience and practicing sustainable faming through nature-based solutions, Zambia Sugar is building adaptive capacity that reduces water security risks.

Zambia sugar is investing in more efficiency irrigation methods such as pivot, drip, and short furrow irrigation which are all giving rise to efficient water use allowing for sufficient return to the natural water course to sustain availability for other users and support of the local ecosystems. Over the past 12months over 170 Hectares has been converted from furrow to drip. Further Zambia Sugar has also implemented the Alliance Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard as the framework for water management on site. This coupled with water measurements, leak detection and control are leading to better use of water resources and assured stewardship.

At catchment level, the focus has been to build partnerships to address local water risks and coordinating necessary action that protects water resource. Zambia Sugar is working with other stakeholders in navigating the complexities of water systems, ensuring persistence, functionality, and adaptability, and collectively working towards a more sustainable water future in the Kafue catchment where it draws its water.

Zambia Sugar is a chairing organisation for the Kafue Joint Action Group (KFJAG) which is the major vehicle for addressing Kafue catchment water threats. The KFJAG attracts membership of water users in the Kafue catchment. The major long-term action has been the use of nature-based solutions (NBS) to deal with water and environmental threats. Working through the KFJAG, continuous assessment of water related risks and opportunities; coordinated action to ensure water security and Improve water flow and water quality; and supporting other water initiatives in the Kafue basin has prioritised.

In recognition of contribution to water and environmental stewardship in Zambia, Zambia Sugar was awarded the Best Performing organization in water and environmental stewardship in 2023 and most green in 2024 by Zero Waste organization.

Zambia Sugar joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2024 world water day. Among other activities, Zambia Sugar carried out awareness on water conservation campaigns within the organization but also in the communities within the estate.