Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people has endorsed the Chiefdom Emissions Reduction Coordinating Committee (CERCC) for his chiefdom, marking a key milestone for the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP).

The endorsement was made at Ekuphendukeni Palace in Chipata District, where 10 newly elected committee members were formally presented.

This is according to a statement availed to ZANIS by Communications Officer, Creavat Chituta for Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP) under the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment

Mr Chituta explained that the Paramount Chief also endorsed the Chiefdom Emissions Performance Plan (CERPP), affirming the committee’s legitimacy to spearhead emissions reduction interventions at chiefdom level.

He added that the EP-JSLP is implemented by the government through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment with support from the World Bank.

“The programme is working to establish formal climate governance structures across all 56 chiefdoms in Eastern Province to coordinate implementation and sustain performance under Chiefdom Emission Reduction Performance Agreements (CERPAs),” he said.

Meanwhile, Senior Chief Mwase of the Chewa people in Lundazi District also expressed support for the programme following the successful election and presentation of CERCC members in his chiefdom.