Zimbabwe has described the recent United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) technical review of its initial Article 6.2 submission as a routine and constructive process aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in international carbon markets.
In a statement issued on June 19, Zimbabwe Carbon Markets Authority (ZiCMA) Head and Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Chief Director Washington Zhakata said the review is a standard requirement under the Paris Agreement and should not be viewed as a punitive assessment.
“The UNFCCC itself defines this process as facilitative, non-intrusive, and non-punitive, intentionally designed to enhance transparency, accuracy, completeness, consistency, and comparability across international carbon accounting frameworks,” said Zhakata.
The remarks come amid discussions surrounding findings from the UNFCCC’s technical review of Zimbabwe’s first Article 6.2 report, which forms part of the international framework governing carbon market transactions between countries.
According to Zhakata, Zimbabwe has actively participated in the review process and provided supplementary information and technical clarifications through the Zimbabwe Carbon Markets Authority. He said the expert review panel acknowledged these submissions and recommended that they be incorporated into future reporting cycles.
“Zimbabwe has engaged openly and constructively throughout this process,” he said.
Zhakata noted that the review identified areas requiring improvement, a common outcome for countries participating in the Article 6.2 review process.
“As with all Article 6.2 reviews completed globally to date, the experts identified minor inconsistencies and opportunities for structural enhancement. Zimbabwe has already integrated this feedback into updated submissions,” he said.
He said the findings should be understood as part of an ongoing technical dialogue intended to improve reporting systems and strengthen the integrity of international carbon markets.
The ZiCMA head also highlighted the role of Zimbabwe’s Carbon Registry, describing it as a key tool for ensuring transparency and accountability in the country’s carbon market framework.
“The Zimbabwe Carbon Registry was custom-designed to resolve the very tracking and transparency gaps that Article 6 reviews frequently highlight,” said Zhakata.
He said the registry enables the tracking of carbon credits through unique serial numbers, records corresponding adjustments, facilitates Paris Agreement-compliant transfers of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), and maintains a permanent public record of transactions.
According to Zhakata, these features are intended to prevent double counting of emissions reductions while strengthening oversight of carbon market activities.
He said Zimbabwe welcomes independent international scrutiny, arguing that transparent reviews contribute to the credibility of sovereign carbon markets and help build investor confidence.
“Transparent independent evaluation is precisely what lends global credibility to sovereign carbon markets,” he said.
Zhakata added that Zimbabwe will continue working with the UNFCCC Secretariat to strengthen its reporting systems and carbon market governance structures.
“Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to developing a carbon market that is transparent, nationally regulated, aligned with Article 6 protocols, and structurally engineered to protect environmental integrity, bolster investor confidence, and safeguard the interests of the nation and its local communities,” he said.
