Zimbabwe has unveiled a groundbreaking set of carbon market regulations, positioning itself as a leader in climate finance across Africa. Launched in alignment with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the framework introduces a blockchain-based national carbon registry, developed in collaboration with A6 Labs and the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife. This digital platform will centralize the registration, verification, and tracking of all carbon credit projects, ensuring transparency and credibility in global markets.

The regulations mandate that all carbon credits generated in Zimbabwe be registered through the national platform, moving away from unregulated voluntary markets. This shift aims to enhance the value of Zimbabwean credits, enabling participation in international emissions trading under Article 6. Felix Mechnig-Giordano, Zimbabwe’s Article 6 readiness coordinator, emphasized the framework’s flexibility, stating, “It’s the first to explicitly provide for all possible uses of Article 6-eligible credits, including voluntary and unilateral transactions, while prioritizing stringent social and environmental safeguards.”

Key innovations include strengthened property rights protections and revenue collection in carbon credits, designed to attract sustainable foreign direct investment. The framework supports renewable energy, reforestation, and community-based climate projects, ensuring fair benefit-sharing with local stakeholders. Environment Minister Evelyn Ndlovu hailed the regulations as a milestone, noting, “They position Zimbabwe as a leader in transparent and equitable climate finance.”

Zimbabwe’s blockchain registry, one of the first globally, addresses past market disruptions, such as the 2023 cancellation of projects like Kariba REDD+, by enhancing investor trust through transparency. The country joins African nations like Kenya and Zambia in regulating carbon markets, aiming to capitalize on its status as Africa’s third-largest carbon credit producer.

With capacity-building and stakeholder engagement prioritized, Zimbabwe is poised to set a model for integrating climate action with economic growth, reinforcing its commitment to the Paris Agreement.