EDITION 5 | 2023
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and their role in the energy and power sector in Zimbabwe Text by Michael Nott
The Environmental Management Agency of Zimbabwe (EMA) is, according to their website, “a statutory body responsible for ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the environment, the prevention of pollution and environmental degradation, the preparation of Environmental Plans for the 46
management and protection of the environment. It was established under the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] and enacted in 2002.” It’s a parastatal entity that is part of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate. It became fully operational in 2007 after the Department of Natural Resources and the environmental sections of
ZINWA (Zimbabwe National Water Authority) were merged to create a single entity. Its mandate is to oversee the sustainable management of natural resources while protecting the environment for both humans and wildlife, prevent pollution of the air, water and soil of Zimbabwe and prevent land degradation while promoting sustainable agricultural and industrial
practices. Part of EMA’s mission is to commission and review Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) usually carried out by approved and independent environmental consultants such as Environmental Guardians Services, Green Space and Black Crystal.