In March 2024, Youth4Climate Justice an alliance of young climate activists across Zambia organized and led a powerful protest to demand the immediate enactment of the long-overdue Climate Change Bill. Frustrated by years of government inaction and increasing climate-related disasters, young people took to the streets with a clear message: Zambia needs a robust legal framework to coordinate climate action and protect its communities from the worsening effects of climate change.

The protest drew attention from national media, civil society organizations, and lawmakers, amplifying the urgency of the climate crisis. Protesters called on the government to table the bill in Parliament, arguing that the absence of a clear legal mandate was hindering effective national coordination and accountability in responding to climate shocks such as prolonged droughts, flash floods, and extreme heat.

The youth-led movement emphasized that climate change was not just an environmental issue, but a matter of intergenerational justice, national development, and human rights. They urged policymakers to stop treating climate change as a distant threat and instead act with the urgency the crisis demands. This grassroots pressure, along with years of advocacy from environmental stakeholders, culminated in a historic moment later that year. In December 2024, the National Assembly of Zambia passed the Climate Change Bill into law. It was subsequently assented to by the Republican President on 20th December 2024, making it an official Act of Parliament.

The new Climate Change Act marks a major policy milestone for Zambia. It provides a legal framework for coordinated national efforts in climate mitigation and adaptation, enhances transparency and accountability in climate governance, and supports the implementation of Zambia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Critically, it also opens pathways for increased climate financing, stronger institutional coordination, and greater participation of marginalized voices—including youth and women in shaping climate solutions.

Youth4Climate Justice is proud to have contributed to this landmark achievement and continues to advocate for the full and inclusive implementation of the Act. The movement remains committed to ensuring that young people are not just seen as beneficiaries of climate action, but as key partners and decision-makers in building a more resilient and sustainable Zambia.