President Hage Geingob says Namibia should not only meet its energy demands sustainably by 20203 but also contribute significantly to the broader African agenda of achieving energy security and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Geingob said this when he received the Nationally Determined Contributions Investment honorary award at the ongoing COP 28 in Dubai.
According to Geingob, to achieve this vision, resources beyond Namibia’s capacities will need to be mobilised to deliver significant new infrastructure, such as new ports, roads, railways, transmission lines, and pipelines for water and hydrogen will have to be built.
He said climate change is disrupting Namibians’ way of life, negatively impacting the ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s sixth report identifies Namibia as one of the five most vulnerable nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, with rising temperatures, increased evaporation, and rainfall variability posing significant challenges,” Geingob said.
He added that the impact on Namibia’s population, which relies heavily on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, livestock farming, and fishing, profoundly affects our citizens, exacerbating poverty, unemployment, and existing income inequalities.
“We are, therefore, compelled to take action,” he said, further explaining that Namibia, with its vast landscapes and untapped renewable potential, aspires to lead the charge in green industrialisation across the African continent by harnessing the power of renewable energy.
“Our ambition is clear: to position Namibia as a hub for renewable energy innovation, driving green industrialisation that creates jobs, fosters economic development, and ensures energy access for all,” he said.
The NDC investment awards recognise institutions and individuals working to innovate and break new ground to mobilise private capital and private sector participation at scale in bankable NDC investment commitments and projects.
“Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) play a pivotal role in combating climate change, especially for industrializing nations.
“These commitments serve as a roadmap for countries to outline their specific plans, strategies, and targets for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change,” he said.
For Namibia, Geingob explained, the NDCs also act as a catalyst for attracting international support and financing.
The estimated cost for implementing Namibia’s NDCs is US$ 15 billion by 2030, with 90% contingent on financial support from the Multilateral Funding Windows under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“We note all the progress made at this 28th Conference of Parties to mobilize the necessary resources from our more developed peers. We need to do more,” Geingob said.
