‘Penalise air polluters’

PRIME Minister Nahas Angula wants countries that release massive amounts of greenhouse gases – blamed for causing global warming – to be penalised.

“You know who are the big polluters. I don’t want to mention them because I am representing the Government,” said Angula at the opening of a training course on climate change.The four-day course is for managers of United Nations agencies across Africa.The Premier said although it was impossible to prevent climate change, big polluters should pay for releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.The United States and China are among the world’s biggest air polluters.Turning to Africa, Angula said African countries – including Namibia – as signatories to the Kyoto Protocol need to pursue green energy technologies.The Kyoto Protocol strengthens international efforts aimed at addressing climate change.”Pursuing such a green agenda will be greatly enhanced by an international community that appreciates the need for adaptation to climate change and the need to exploit green energy sources,” the Prime Minister said.Angula said Namibia was in a good position to turn to green energy, as it has 300 days of sunshine, favourable wind, enormous potential for hydro-power and proven reserves of natural gas in the Kudu gas field which can converted to usable energy.I don’t want to mention them because I am representing the Government,” said Angula at the opening of a training course on climate change.The four-day course is for managers of United Nations agencies across Africa.The Premier said although it was impossible to prevent climate change, big polluters should pay for releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.The United States and China are among the world’s biggest air polluters.Turning to Africa, Angula said African countries – including Namibia – as signatories to the Kyoto Protocol need to pursue green energy technologies.The Kyoto Protocol strengthens international efforts aimed at addressing climate change.”Pursuing such a green agenda will be greatly enhanced by an international community that appreciates the need for adaptation to climate change and the need to exploit green energy sources,” the Prime Minister said.Angula said Namibia was in a good position to turn to green energy, as it has 300 days of sunshine, favourable wind, enormous potential for hydro-power and proven reserves of natural gas in the Kudu gas field which can converted to usable energy.