Deforestation and land degradation are critical challenges facing Zambia, particularly in rural communities where reliance on natural resources for livelihood is high. The Gwembe Valley communities in Southern Province are no exception, experiencing significant environmental pressures due to agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and unsustainable land use practices. Additionally, other drivers of the deforestation and degradation is the charcoal production, destructive beekeeping and honey collection and uncontrolled bush fires. To combat these challenges and promote sustainable resource management, collaborative efforts

The Green Initiative identified that due to the dynamics of the Gwembe Valley compounded by the impact of human activities, there was need to introduce efforts that will not only restore the biodiversity which used to be rich not so long ago but promote interventions that will contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal and promote Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience. In establishing a carbon project that combined REDD+ and ARR activities in the Riparian, Miombo as well as Mopane Woodlands, the communities in the Gwembe Valley would have significant benefits to work towards conserving their natural resources as well as improve their livelihoods,
This project is intended to cover communities under Chiefs Chipepo, Sikongo, and Sinadabwe occupying in excess of 1 million hectares. These communities are adjacent to the Kariba Dam in the valley floor experience harsh conditions of aridity and poor solid for their agriculture and have hence resorted to compounding deforestation, forest degradation thereby contributing to climate change.