All eyes on the environment

The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta said Namibia needs to climate-proof economic activities and at the same time capitalise on opportunities such as renewable energy or energy-efficient technologies.Shifeta made these remarks when he recently addressed the Association for Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) congress in Oshakati on shaping the future of the Namibian people towards eradication of poverty for sustainable development.He said the greatest threat to the environment and humans is global warming and the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere which causes the climate to change.According to him, climate change is a global phenomenon that has negative impact on factors such as food, energy and water security. It also has the potential to destroy infrastructure, cause human displacements and inflict social conflicts as well as reduce the gross national income of countries. Shifeta said Namibia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and the predicted increases in temperature as well as variability of rainfall will continue to worsen the existing challenges that the nation is facing such as drought and water scarcity. He said that this situation requires people to switch to more sustainable development pathways. With regards to possible mitigation measures, Namibia needs a mass public transport system that meets the basic needs of citizens, business and industry, said Shifeta. “This system would help to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads and also reduce the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.”According to Shifeta, the government has put policies and measures in place to adequately respond to the impacts that climate change presents to the nation. The National Climate Change Committee, the National Climate Change Policy and its Implementation Strategy as well as other initiatives such as the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs), Climate Smart Agricultural Program or the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) on rural electrification have been put in place.The NAMA outlines the key opportunities for mini-grids for rural electrification through the renewable energy technologies. This initiative is expected to generate sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas which in turn may reduce the current high trend of rural-urban migration. Additionally the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution sets an ambitious target for sourcing 70% of the total energy generation from the renewable energy sources by 2030.Furthermore, he said government has recommended, through a Cabinet directive, that all public buildings should be installed with energy efficient facilities such as energy efficient devices, solar water heater geysers and lighting systems. “The above mentioned national initiatives are all clear testimony that things will not be business as usual as the world shifts from carbon high intensity economies to more low carbon development pathways and climate resilient economies.” ELLANIE SMIT

All eyes on the environment

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Namibian Sun 2026-07-31

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All eyes on the environment

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Namibian Sun 2026-07-31

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