Namibia’s adaptation to climate change requires over N$100.8 billion

The adaptation of key sectors vulnerable to climate change is expected to require over N$100.8 billion, with approximately 90% of the funds dependent on international support.

Namibia has identified eight sectors, including agriculture, to ensure food security, water resources, biodiversity and ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture, health, infrastructure, coastal management and other cross-cutting issues.

This was revealed by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday while addressing the United Nations (UN) ​Climate Change 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Brazil.

“Adaptation in these sectors requires an estimated US$6 billion, of which about 90% depends on international support.

“At the same time, mitigation across various sectors is estimated to cost US$9 billion
of which 10% is expected to come from domestic resources,” she said.

The conference commenced on Friday and will conclude on 21 November.

COP30 consists of about 197 signatory countries to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change with the purpose of reducing carbon emissions globally.

This year, the COP30 agenda will focus on the efforts needed to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C, the presentation of new national action plans and the progress on the finance pledges made at COP29.

The president said the launch of the Oshivela project this year is one of the world’s first industrial-scale green iron plants powered by green hydrogen, operating on a principle of zero emissions.

The plant will see a 27 000-tonne reduction of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere.

“This is part of the transformative green hydrogen strategy that will see the country take decisive steps towards cleaner and renewable energy sources,” she said.

These national commitments, she added, include restoring degraded rangelands and forests, protecting biodiversity and reinforcing Namibia’s natural carbon sink.

It further includes reinforcing climate-resilient infrastructure and safeguarding critical economic assets and trade corridors.

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