The Online Guide to the Namibian Economy

Namibia and Climate Change

“Today, 50 years later on #EarthDay2020, a bigger responsibility is placed on us to fight climate change and look after our Earth for future generations. Namibia will continue to play her part in contributing to a greener, healthier and sustainable planet. Happy #EarthDay2020.”
Earth Day logo
Dr Hage Geingob
Former President of the Republic of Namibia

Namibia has been fully engaged with the issue of global climate change since it became independent in 1990 and became a founding member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as illustrated by the following timeline. Climate change in Namibia should be seen in the context of three key features: 1) Namibia’s semi-arid environment and its coastal waters mean it is likely to be severely affected by global climate change 2) Namibia accounts for only a very small proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions and 3) Namibia is a net carbon sink. Namibia has three institutions accredited by the Global Environment Facility: the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia, the Environmental Investment Fund, and the Development Bank of Namibia. Many of the key climate change issues facing Namibia are laid out in a publication from the IPPR – Namibia’s Green Transition: A Summary of the Issues – and in this related presentation.

Timeline

YearEventDownload
2023Submitted Second Update Nationally Determined Contribution to UNFCCCDownload
2021Submitted Updated Nationally Determined Contributions to UNFCCCDownload
2021Submitted Fourth Biennial Update Report to UNFCCCDownload
2021Attended CoP26 in Glasgow
2018Submitted National GHG Inventory Report 1991-2015 to UNFCCCDownload
2020Submitted Fourth National Communication to UNFCCCDownload
2018Submitted Third Biennial Update Report to UNFCCCDownload
2016Submitted Second Biennial Update Report to UNFCCCDownload
2015Submitted Intended Nationally Determined Contributions to UNFCCCDownload
2015Submitted Third National Communication to UNFCCCDownload
2015Paris Agreement at CoP21 ratified on 21 September 2016
2014Submitted First Biennial Update Report to UNFCCCDownload
2011Submitted Second National Communication to UNFCCCDownload
2010Namibia publishes National Policy on Climate ChangeDownload
2002Submitted First National Communication to UNFCCCDownload
2001Namibia Climate Change Committee established
1997Kyoto Protocol at CoP3 as a Non-Annex I country ratified on 4 September 2003
1995Participated in CoP1 in Berlin and all subsequent CoPs
1992Founding member of UNFCCC at the Rio Earth Summit