Paper short abstract:

Green recovery pathways offer opportunities to consider concerns about the environment and economic recovery to "build back better".

Paper long abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected economies of most countries and left them grappling with how best they can recover from it. For Zambia, the impacts of the pandemic have coincided with other non-pandemic related economic woes alongside the adverse effects of climate change. The green recovery pathways therefore, offer opportunities for Zambia to take into consideration concerns about the environment and economic recovery with a view to "build back better". This type of recovery entails meeting socio-economic aspirations and embody sustainable development particularly in the sectors hardest hit by both the pandemic and climate change. Despite putting up many plans to ensure that robust economic development is achieved, this was disrupted by climate change; these disruptions were intensified by the pandemic. A comprehensive literature review and analysis of Zambia's policy landscape concerning climate change was undertaken. This was complemented with responses from interviews with stakeholders on considerations of how best to balance socio-economic recovery from the pandemic and climate action. It suggested that the agriculture and energy sectors are vital to achieving a recovery that meets the needs of the majority, including those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Therefore, planning needs to take an approach that ensures that a clear policy and regulatory framework on climate actions is in place and implemented. This needs to be inclusive to improve the livelihoods of all, especially the most vulnerable in society.