Zimbabwe’s mining sector is set to face tighter environmental scrutiny under the proposed Climate Change Management Bill, as Parliament moves to align national development with climate resilience and sustainability.
Lawmakers yesterday unpacked the Climate Change Management Department Bill [H.B. 5, 2025], drawing input from legislators, civil society and the private sector, with experts warning that the legislation could significantly reshape how mining projects are approved and managed.
Michelle Chitando, a legal officer leading the climate change and energy programme at the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO), said the proposed law will integrate climate considerations into existing regulatory frameworks, particularly the Environmental Management Act.
She explained that while environmental impact assessments are already mandatory for projects such as mining, the new bill introduces a critical shift by requiring that climate change factors be fully incorporated into these processes. This means mining companies will not only be assessed on environmental damage, but also on their contribution to climate change and their impact on communities.
“The climate change management bill brings in a perspective that the climate change department would have to work with other departments related to projects and policies,” said Chitando. “This ensures that environmental impact assessments consider climate processes, as well as social impacts on communities.”
Zimbabwe’s mining industry, a key pillar of the economy, has often been criticised for environmental degradation, including land disturbance, water pollution and carbon emissions. The proposed legislation is expected to tighten compliance requirements, potentially increasing costs for operators but also promoting sustainable extraction practices.
Chitando said the bill has been long overdue, noting that Zimbabwe previously relied on fragmented policies such as the National Climate Policy and Climate Change Response Strategy, despite the Constitution already guaranteeing environmental rights. The new law seeks to consolidate these frameworks into a coordinated national system.
She added that the bill is designed to ensure broad stakeholder participation, including vulnerable communities that are often most affected by both mining activities and climate change impacts. “We need public participation and the voices of vulnerable groups to be heard, especially when developing solutions around mitigation and adaptation,” she said.
The legislation also introduces the concept of a “just transition,” aimed at balancing economic development with environmental protection. However, Chitando noted that Zimbabwe still needs to clearly define what a just transition means in its own economic and social context, particularly given its reliance on extractive industries like mining.
The private sector, including mining companies, has already been involved in consultations through public hearings, with room for further input before the bill is finalised. Chitando said the process remains open, allowing stakeholders to shape the final law.
If passed, the Climate Change Management Bill is expected to mark a major shift in Zimbabwe’s regulatory landscape, placing climate accountability at the centre of economic activities and potentially redefining how the mining sector operates in a carbon-conscious future.
