Environmental Sustainability

Namibia has an excellent legislative and policy backdrop for environmental protection and sustainable resource management. However, the economy is highly dependent on natural resources including diverse rangelands, arable land, mineral deposits, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Economic and social development will be negatively affected by climate change, especially with regard to water availability, food and livelihood security.

Another pain point is Namibia’s electricity supply which has to be imported to a large extend (60%) from its neighbours. Additionally, the vastness of the country coupled with the isolated location of some settlements, still leaves many areas without electricity. However, Namibia has great potential for renewable energies that could supply these remote areas with decentralised and off-grid electricity while advancing them economically.

To support Namibia’s aim for environmental sustainability, the Hanns Seidel Foundation has started two projects. Since 2015 the ThinkNamibia campaign focuses on climate change, while the PREN-project aims to implement a shift towards renewable energies starting in 2017.

ThinkNamibia 2015-2017

The Hanns Seidel Foundation Environmental Awareness and Climate Change Project complements the public awareness efforts of Government to promote environmental awareness and empower stakeholders to participate in climate change responses.

In partnership with the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN), HSF has implemented a three-year project with the focus on contributing to environmental sustainability through awareness-raising on environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation. The focus is in support of the guiding principles of the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) that supports awareness generation, education, training and capacity building as the national response to climate change.

Aims and Objectives

• Increasing knowledge and skills on environmental issues.
• Promoting knowledge transfer in the environmental sector.
• Promoting social entrepreneurship in the environmental sector.
• Supporting journalistic work in the environmental sector.

The Environmental Awareness and Climate Change Project implements these objectives through a dynamic approach including information and educational material development, a national information campaign, public dialogue platforms and training of multipliers.

For more information please visit: www.enviro-awareness.org.na

PREN-Project 2017-2019

To unveil Namibia’s potential in regards to renewable energies, a public awareness campaign will empower stakeholders with the knowledge about alternative and clean energies. A change in the mindset of Namibia’s population would contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal No. 7,  of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to "ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all".

Against this background, the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) are implementing a three-year project with the focus on contributing to the implementation of the COP21 Paris Agreement. 

Aims and Objectives

• Implementing a nationwide campaign that will improve the awareness on the use of renewable energies and energy efficiency in Namibia.
• Promoting the usage of renewable energies in schools as well as in SMEs and start-ups in target regions in rural areas.
• Supporting selected rural schools and SMEs and/ or Start-ups in obtaining renewable energy hardware.

Progress

Four smart lessons on renewable energy have been developed by our partner EduVentures. The lessons are based on research, the observations of local high schools, surveys at rural schools and stakeholder interviews. Five schools will be visited for workshops on renewable energy during the course of the first year.