This project has been designed based on extensive consultations with local stakeholders with the express intention of responding to GEFSEC overall strategic vision under GEF V of helping countries meet their sustainable development needs and achieve multiple environmental benefits through an integrated approach. The proposed project satisfies the requirements for GEF financing under multiple focal area strategies and is designed in an integrated manner to enable Zambia PA system to reach its potential for delivering high value multiple benefits on a large scale protecting globally significant biodiversity, forest carbon stocks and critical ecosystem services such as watershed protection. Zambia vast PA estate covers 40% of the country surface area and has the greatest potential to provide these multiple environmental benefits. The PA estate is made up of three main categories of the National Parks which are set aside primarily for biodiversity conservation (8.5% of land), Game Management Areas where sustainable utilization of natural resources and human settlement are allowed (22%), and Forest Reserves where sustainable utilization of resources is allowed (8.9%). This project works across the landscape in core and buffer zone improving the management effectiveness and financial sustainability of core areas of the PA system; reducing conflicting land uses in the buffer zone GMAs, and increasing energy efficiencies to reduce deforestation and carbon emissions in GMAs.