Namibia, a nation highly susceptible to climate change impacts due to its arid and semi-arid environment and reliance on rain-fed agriculture, is proactively implementing a comprehensive suite of policies and projects to enhance resilience and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The country, which endures frequent droughts and prolonged dry spells, aims to achieve an ambitious 91% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, leveraging renewable energy expansion and climate-smart agricultural practices.

The nation's vulnerability is profound, with rainfall varying drastically and directly impacting agricultural production, a cornerstone of Namibia's natural resource-dependent economy. Sion Shifa, a senior official in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s climate change unit, emphasized, “Namibia is highly vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change due to its arid and semi-arid environment. This vulnerability has the potential to reverse the country’s development gains.” Key economic sectors, including water resources, agriculture, biodiversity, tourism, health, energy, and infrastructure, face significant climate-related risks, with prolonged droughts and desertification already reshaping landscapes and rural livelihoods.

In response, Namibia has established a robust policy framework, beginning with a multi-sectoral National Committee on Climate Change in 2001, followed by the National Policy on Climate Change in 2011. This foundation led to the National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2013-2030), designed to integrate climate considerations into national development planning and reduce impacts on vulnerable communities.

On-the-ground interventions are diverse, focusing on food security and sustainable resource management. Farmers are encouraged to adopt drought-resistant crops, hardy livestock, and water-conserving drip irrigation systems. Shetuuka Shetuuka, chair of the Olushandja Horticulture Producers Association, highlighted local innovations: “Our members are conserving water through drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, planting drought-resistant crops such as carrots, beetroots, sweet potatoes and peppers and using organic fertilisers to revive the soil.” The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF), operational since 2011 and accredited to the Green Climate Fund, has mobilized over N$460 million (approximately $24.5 million USD) in grants for climate initiatives.

Despite traditional coping mechanisms, climate-smart agriculture expert Axel Rothauge noted that their effectiveness is diminishing. “For generations, Namibians have survived extreme weather through local knowledge,” he stated. “But times are changing fast. Traditional methods are fading and new techniques are not always adapted to our environment.” Rothauge advocates for increased rotational grazing and large-scale indigenous tree planting to combat desertification and rangeland degradation, particularly given that 15% of Namibia is desert and 75% savannah.

Angus Mindleton, executive director of the Namibia Nature Foundation, affirmed the ambition of Namibia’s Nationally Determined Contributions. Beyond adaptation, Namibia is actively pursuing mitigation strategies, promoting low-carbon development and expanding renewable energy. The National Policy on Renewable Energy supports increasing private investment in solar and wind energy, aiming to broaden clean energy access through off-grid and mini-grid systems in both urban and rural areas. In 2023, the country launched a National Carbon Market Framework to regulate carbon credit trading, providing a financial mechanism for emissions reduction and climate action. Namibia also participates in regional initiatives like the Great Green Wall and AFRI100 and partners with the International Atomic Energy Agency to assess groundwater resources. Public awareness campaigns, including media training for journalists, underscore the government's commitment to broad engagement on climate science and policy.