Namibia s Experience on realizing the Importance of Adapting to Climate Change CC

1. Namibia’s Experience on realizing the Importance of Adapting to Climate Change(CC) By Fidelis Nyambe Mwazi Technical Advisor

2. 1. Introduction: Climate for Namibia Namibia is one of the driest countries south of the Sahara. The mean annual rainfall - above 700 mm in the northeast to less than 25 mm in the southwest and west of the country. Most rain falls in the summer months (November to April) in the form of thunderstorms and showers, Except in the southwest where winter rains account for at least half of the annual total. Average annual maximum temperatures in the hottest months are usually 30°C over most of the country, excluding the coastal belt where it is much cooler, and the arid south where mean temperatures rise to as high as 36°C

3. Overview of climate change in Namibia (1) Climate Change predictions for Namibia: Increase in temperature and evapotranspiration Namibia will be drier with more rainfall variability Both floods and droughts is expected to increase in frequency and intensity Subsequent major disruption to the economy Human livelihoods (especially of the poor) will be impacted by CC on natural resources and the functioning ecosystems Rise in sea level is expected to increase by 18 to 59 cm in 2100 years.

4. Overview of climate change in Namibia (2)

5. 2. Drivers for the Climate change agenda for Namibia. In consideration of the implications of global climate change and Namibia’s vulnerability to CC, the Namibian government ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in May 1995 and Kyoto protocol in 2003. As a developing country Namibia is mandated to provide prescribed data in the form of emission inventories and submit periodic national communications to the UNFCCC secretariat.

6. 3. Climate Change Vision for Namibia Namibia have a National Climate Change Committee chaired by Ministry of Environment & Tourism. The NCCC was tasked to advise the government with respect to its roles and responsibilities under the Convention as well as to coordinate the overall national climate change program. Vision: “Namibia strives for excellence to address climate change as a challenge by responding in a timely, effective and appropriate manner via exploring adaptation and mitigation approaches relevant to different sectors at local, regional and national level in order to improve the quality of life of its citizens.” Was developed taking into account that CC is a cross-cutting issue that will affect both the environment and economic development.

7. 3. Development of the Climate Change Policy and Strategy and Action Plan a) To address the issues of climate change in Namibia a policy was developed to serve as a tool to: manage climate change response in a way that recognises the national developmental goals and; promote integration and coordination of programmes of various sector organizations, so that benefits to the country as a whole are maximized, and negative impacts minimized.

8. Continue…Policy and Strategy b) To implement the policy then the strategy and action plan was needed and developed (Draft strategy). The national strategy will enable Namibia to fulfil her obligations of the UNFCCC framework and hence contribute to addressing this global problem. This National Climate change Strategy and Action Plan is part of the background activities of Namibia under the Second National Communication to develop a national climate change policy and strategy and accompanying action plan.

9. Why a strategy and action plan:

10. Climate Change Institutions in Namibia

13. Climate change initiatives in Namibia Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) Project Being piloted in Omusati region through CPP Main objective is to pilot adaptation measure in selected sites within Omusati Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under Strategic Priority for Adaptation (SPA) fund Africa Adaptation Project - Namibia (AAP-NAM) Aims to create systems to manage climate change risks & opportunities in the long-term Funded by Government of Japan Funding US$2.9 Million

14. Cont…Climate change initiatives Community Based Adaptation (CBA) Gives grants to concrete community based projects National Climate Change Policy for Namibia (NCCP).

15. Government interventions

17. Capacity assessment study findings Five year capacity development plan to address climate change capacity for Namibia Priority interventions are in HR, Institutional capacity building, Finances and CRM technologies and tools Approximate cost of 1 Million US $ needed for CRM capacity to be in place 1. Dynamic, long-term planning mechanisms

18. Analyze the challenges, development more effective policies, and gain broad support for their implementation. Key institutions, MET, NPC, and MoF, and with relevant research institutions. Vulnerable sectors will be model to assure sustainability, poverty reduction, and human development. First phase completed, second phase started 1. Dynamic, long-term planning mechanisms (Systems modeling)

19. AAPNAM Activities (3) Gender specific GIS climate risk assessment Information products to be packages & disseminated

20. Information packages & targeted awareness –ambassadors programme 2. Strengthen Namibian leadership & institutional

21. Climate change Youth action Youth Conference (29-30 July) Youth CC festival (10th June) Collaboration with private sector partners Financial support to 10 school environmental clubs

22. National policy on climate change was approved by cabinet and endorsed in parliament. Climate change strategy and action plan being formulated 3. Climate-resilient policies & measures

23. Regional engagements 5 Regional workshops (farmers, extension officers) Regional consultations underway CCA information toolkits regional consultation (RC, town councils) Formulation of RCCC under development Pilot studies for CRM management plan – Oshana region

24. CC Financing options Small Grants Project Ondangwa Town council supported for flood adaptation Six community projects will be support through the SGP Financial Flows to address CCA in the Agriculture sector(US$ 3.03 billion) and mitigation in the Energy sector (1.17 billion ) Output 4: Financing options to meet the cost of National adaptation Output 4: Financing options to meet the cost of National adaptation

25. Continuous to give presentations on CC and CCA at forums such as Okakarara Farmers meeting in May, Gobabis, UNAM, Radio talks, in regions under various packages by consultants and national workshops AAP NAM Webpage is functional www.met.gov.na/aap Production of short documentary film for local and international audiences on the Namibian Youth Action for CC Festival AAPNAM Activities (7)5. Knowledge Management

26. Challenges Finance