THERE is overwhelming scientific evidence that climate change related to human activity is driving the world toward increasing ecological instability, with potentially permanent impacts to human development.
It is also apparent that the poorest people carry the greatest risk and cost. The case for a serious and urgent response the Namibian government together with Namibian institutions and citizens is rooted in social responsibility for the welfare of fellow Namibians, the socio-economic stability of the country, the maintenance of a stable and productive environment, adherence to global benchmarks, and commitment to the needs of future generations.Collectively, we have done a lot of talking on this subject and written many reports, but to date there has been little outcome orientedaction.Facing increasing energy demands and recent power shortages in the region, Nampower officials indicated last week, “the energy supply situation would be critical for the next three years with regional energy experts predicting that 2007-2010 would be dark years in terms of energy supply” (Kanhema, Tawanda).Namibia’s providers in the SADC region may be unable to guarantee long-term power provision, as stated by an Eskom representative “…[Eskom] halted power exports to Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe because local demand had grown so much that it had to supply its own country first” (Weidlich, Brigitte).This raises the question – what action is proposed? A quick response by government is possible.The simplest first steps could be to implement the immediate removal of barriers to the expansion of renewable energy in Namibia.Currently, Namibia has an installed generating capacity of 384 MW and imports roughly 40 per cent of its electricity from South Africa.This electricity is mainly produced through coal fired power generation, which is not ideal because no matter how carefully it is burnt, the emission by-products of sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen have climate-change effects on the environment.Evidence links the rise in temperature to increases in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, particularly from energy-related CO2 emissions.Addressing the impact of climate change requires international cooperation and setting of global and national targets.The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol has established an international framework to address the impact of climate change.From an environmental perspective it doesn’t matter where in the world CO2 is emitted.While Annex 1 of the protocol (developed countries) have agreed to national targets of CO2 emissions cuts and Annex 2 (developing countries) such as Namibia are not yet obliged to cut CO2 emission levels, any reductions in CO2 that developing countries do achieve can be sold to Annex 1 businesses in order to help meet their targets.Namibia currently has the potential to cut its emissions at a much lower cost than businesses in most other nations, and thus is at an advantage to trade its carbon credits.The Namibian government can capitalise on these carbon trading opportunities, and create incentives for low energy alternatives.The following immediate actionsare suggested: * Explore a range of innovative financing options for households and businesses, including removing all forms of taxation on the import and sale of renewable energy appliances, including solar hot water systems, photovoltaic panels, solar water pumps, wind turbines and gas replacing coal and mains electricity for heating and cooking.* Tax rebates on construction using passive heating and cooling systems in homes and offices.* Provide incentives and funding for investment in low carbon research, development and deployment.* Use funds generated through carbon trading to increase tax relief, or subsidize renewable energy purchases by households, businesses and government facilities.* Mobilise support for adaptation measures to climate change by communities and businesses, and integrate adaptation into national planning.Cabinet could take a decision at its next meeting to implement the above with immediate effect.It could also direct its line Ministry to report on progress, both to Cabinet and to the nation.Martin Luther King Jr.summarizes – “Human progress in neither automatic nor inevitable.We are faced now with the fact that tomorrow is today.We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now” (Martin Luther King Jr.”Where do we go from here: chaos or community”).We look forward to contributing further to these discussions and initiatives in the future.Chris Brown, Namibia Nature Foundation References Kanhema, Tawanda.gSA power cuts trigger chain reaction in SADC.h Informante.24 Jan 2008: A1 Watkins, Kevin.HDR 2007.2008.Fighting climate change: Human solidarity in a divided world.York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.Weidlich, Brigitte.gNamibia warned to cut back on electricity.h The Namibian.23 Jan 2008: A1.The case for a serious and urgent response the Namibian government together with Namibian institutions and citizens is rooted in social responsibility for the welfare of fellow Namibians, the socio-economic stability of the country, the maintenance of a stable and productive environment, adherence to global benchmarks, and commitment to the needs of future generations.Collectively, we have done a lot of talking on this subject and written many reports, but to date there has been little outcome orientedaction.Facing increasing energy demands and recent power shortages in the region, Nampower officials indicated last week, “the energy supply situation would be critical for the next three years with regional energy experts predicting that 2007-2010 would be dark years in terms of energy supply” (Kanhema, Tawanda).Namibia’s providers in the SADC region may be unable to guarantee long-term power provision, as stated by an Eskom representative “…[Eskom] halted power exports to Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe because local demand had grown so much that it had to supply its own country first” (Weidlich, Brigitte).This raises the question – what action is proposed? A quick response by government is possible.The simplest first steps could be to implement the immediate removal of barriers to the expansion of renewable energy in Namibia.Currently, Namibia has an installed generating capacity of 384 MW and imports roughly 40 per cent of its electricity from South Africa.This electricity is mainly produced through coal fired power generation, which is not ideal because no matter how carefully it is burnt, the emission by-products of sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen have climate-change effects on the environment.Evidence links the rise in temperature to increases in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, particularly from energy-related CO2 emissions.Addressing the impact of climate change requires international cooperation and setting of global and national targets.The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol has established an international framework to address the impact of climate change.From an environmental perspective it doesn’t matter where in the world CO2 is emitted.While Annex 1 of the protocol (developed countries) have agreed to national targets of CO2 emissions cuts and Annex 2 (developing countries) such as Namibia are not yet obliged to cut CO2 emission levels, any reductions in CO2 that developing countries do achieve can be sold to Annex 1 businesses in order to help meet their targets.Namibia currently has the potential to cut its emissions at a much lower cost than businesses in most other nations, and thus is at an advantage to trade its carbon credits.The Namibian government can capitalise on these carbon trading opportunities, and create incentives for low energy alternatives.The following immediate actionsare suggested: * Explore a range of innovative financing options for households and businesses, including removing all forms of taxation on the import and sale of renewable energy appliances, including solar hot water systems, photovoltaic panels, solar water pumps, wind turbines and gas replacing coal and mains electricity for heating and cooking.* Tax rebates on construction using passive heating and cooling systems in homes and offices.* Provide incentives and funding for investment in low carbon research, development and deployment.* Use funds generated through carbon trading to increase tax relief, or subsidize renewable energy purchases by households, businesses and government facilities.* Mobilise support for adaptation measures to climate change by communities and businesses, and integrate adaptation into national planning.Cabinet could take a decision at its next meeting to implement the above with immediate effect.It could also direct its line Ministry to report on progress, both to Cabinet and to the nation.Martin Luther King Jr.summarizes – “Human progress in neither automatic nor inevitable.We are faced now with the fact that tomorrow is today.We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now” (Martin Luther King Jr.”Where do we go from here: chaos or community”). We look forward to contributing further to these discussions and initiatives in the future. Chris Brown, Namibia Nature Foundation References Kanhema, Tawanda.gSA power cuts trigger chain reaction in SADC.h Informante.24 Jan 2008: A1 Watkins, Kevin.HDR 2007.2008.Fighting climate change: Human solidarity in a divided world.York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. Weidlich, Brigitte.gNamibia warned to cut back on electricity.h The Namibian.23 Jan 2008: A1.
