School of Agriculture and Natural Resources News

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

The School currently offers a Master’s programme in Climate Change and Sustainable Development. One of its courses, Local Solutions for Energy Access, has been adapted under the Transforming Energy Access – Learning Partnership (TEA-LP), a collaborative initiative with the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa.

Local Solutions for Energy Access

This multidisciplinary, non-technical course provides Master’s level students with a structured framework to analyse the local and regional Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) sector, assess prevailing challenges, and propose context-appropriate solutions. It introduces students to the broader energy access landscape using a systems approach and examines the roles of key stakeholders at local and regional levels.

The course covers the following thematic areas:

          •         Distributed Energy Systems (DES) and future energy options

          •         Environmental stewardship, including e-waste management solutions

•         The enabling environment: policy and regulatory frameworks from global to local levels

          •         Business models for enhancing community income generation

          •         Demand assessment and community engagement strategies

          •         Financing mechanisms for the DRE sector.

TEA-LP Partner Universities

MASTERS IN CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Climate change poses significant risks to development across Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in vulnerable countries such as Zambia. Addressing these challenges requires skilled professionals who can integrate climate considerations into policy, planning, and sustainable development initiatives.

The Master’s in Climate Change and Sustainable Development is a collaborative programme developed under the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA). It brings together regional expertise to strengthen human capital and support climate action aligned with Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The programme equips graduates with advanced interdisciplinary knowledge in climate science, mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development. It prepares professionals to design low-carbon, climate-resilient, and socially inclusive solutions that reduce vulnerability and promote sustainable growth.

At Zambia Qualifications Framework (ZQF) Level 9, the qualification develops critical thinkers and researchers capable of translating climate evidence into practical strategies, policies, and innovations that address complex real-world challenges.

THE PROGRAMME MAP