The Namibian government has announced that it needs N$202 billion in international financing to meet its climate goals. This was stated by Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Indileni Daniel during the launch of Namibia's third nationally determined contribution (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement. NDCs are self-defined five-year action plans to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Daniel, the country requires US$14.07 billion (N$230 billion) to implement its climate action plan. He stated that approximately 88% of this amount is conditional upon international climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building support. This financing is crucial for Namibia to implement its climate action plan, which includes actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The plan includes 226 actions that will help Namibia remain a net carbon sink and adapt to changing environmental conditions. These actions are intended to promote development and include support for renewable energy, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, and low-carbon industrialisation. The government aims to move beyond talking about climate finance to mobilising climate finance.
Daniel emphasised that the country's people will judge its climate action by its impact on their daily lives, including access to water during droughts, food security, resilient infrastructure, reliable energy, productive land, protected ecosystems, decent jobs, and opportunities for young people. He stressed that ambition has a price and that international support is necessary to achieve Namibia's climate goals.
United Nations Development Programme representative Amanda Serumaga also spoke at the launch, emphasising the importance of taking financing for NDC 3.0 seriously. She stated that the NDC must speak directly to the national budget in the upcoming years and that climate priorities must be reflected in public expenditure and investment decisions.
Serumaga noted that each investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation must serve a dual purpose of supporting Namibian development. She described NDC 3.0 as more than a climate document, but an investment framework for Namibia's future. The government's commitment to implementing its climate action plan is crucial for the country's development and resilience to climate change.
The launch of NDC 3.0 marks an important step in Namibia's efforts to address climate change. The country's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change is critical for its sustainable development. With the right international support and financing, Namibia can achieve its climate goals and create a more resilient and sustainable future for its people.
Key points
- Namibia requires N$202 billion in international financing to meet its climate goals.
- The country's climate action plan includes 226 actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
- The implementation of NDC 3.0 must be reflected in the national budget and public expenditure decisions.
