Staff Writer
The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife today launched the Zimbabwe Carbon Registry Pilot Launch, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to establish itself as a key player in the carbon market.
The launch makes Zimbabwe the first country, worldwide, to establish a blockchain-based national carbon registry.
The initiative is in line with Zimbabwe’s goal of achieving full Article 6 readiness under the Paris Agreement and transitioning all voluntary carbon market projects to compliance eligibility.
The event also saw the Zimbabwe New Carbon Market Regulations and the Digital Application Platform officially launched on a pilot basis.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Evelyn Ndlovu said the regulations provide a solid foundation for the creation, trade, and verification of carbon credits, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s carbon market operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
“The Zimbabwe National Carbon Registry we are launching today is based on a secure blockchain technology and is supported by comprehensive regulations that explicitly provide for all types of Article 6 transactions, including unilateral and voluntary uses of compliance carbon credits,” she said at the Pilot Launch of Zimbabwe’s New Carbon Market Regulations, the Zimbabwe Carbon Registry, and Digital Application Platform.
“Coupled with enhanced environmental and social safeguards, this national registry will future-proof Zimbabwe’s carbon market, unlocking greater benefits for all Zimbabweans.”
She said the platform empowers Zimbabweans at all levels to participate in carbon offset projects, contributing to job creation, sustainable livelihoods, and community-based climate initiatives.
“Needless to say, the proceeds from carbon credit transactions will be used to reinvest in local communities, supporting climate adaptation and mitigation projects, benefiting those communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This is a system that will allow Zimbabweans to directly benefit from their participation in the global carbon economy,” the Minister said.
Ndlovu said the launch represents the culmination of significant efforts made to address the global climate crisis while positioning Zimbabwe as a favoured destination for sustainable investment.
She added that the registry will provide a robust and transparent mechanism for tracking carbon credits, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s carbon credits are verifiable, tradable, and meet the rigorous standards set by international climate frameworks.
The launch positions Zimbabwe as the first country globally to establish a blockchain-based national carbon registry.
The launch follows the gazetting of the Carbon Trading (General) Regulations, 2025 – published under Statutory Instrument 48 of 2025 – set out a comprehensive legal framework aimed at aligning Zimbabwe with the Paris Agreement and unlocking opportunities in the growing international carbon credit market.
“Carbon credits generated from emission-reducing initiatives – such as tree planting or renewable energy installations – offer developing countries like Zimbabwe a chance to benefit financially while contributing to global climate change mitigation,” the gazetted regulations say.
