Environmental Sustainability

Relevant policies, regulatory frameworks and institutions enabled to ensure the conservation, sustainable use, access, and benefit sharing of natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystems, in line with international conventions and national legislation

To enhance environmental governance, the UN supported the establishment of a unified system for monitoring of spatial targets under key environmental agreements, including Land Degradation Neutrality, NDCs, and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. In collaboration with MEFT and UNAM, this initiative strengthened coordinated reporting on biodi- versity, desertification, and climate commitments. In collaboration with MEFT, the Namibia Carbon Registry, was operationalised to manage carbon credits. This initiative aligns with Namibia’s emissions reduction commitments and expands access to international carbon finance mechanisms. Through the Namibia Integrated Landscape Ap- proach for Enhanced Livelihoods and Environmen- tal Governance, the UN supported the gazetting of three state forests (Okongo, Sikandjabuka, Zilitene, and Bukalo Community Forests). As a result, 135,295 hectares are now managed under Integrated Land- scape Management plans, promoting sustainable agricultural and forestry practices tailored to local needs. Support for the implementation of the Forest and Fire Management Plans across 201,905 hec- tares of community forests was provided, enhancing sustainable land use. To strengthen food security and sustsinable livelihoods, 74 beneficaries (47 females and 27 males) from four landspaces ( Okongo, Rucana, Omaipanga and Nklivere) received goats in support of a small stock revolving goat scheme, whilst in Zambezi region, in addition 11 beneficaries were provided with large stock. Additionally, 51 farmers collectively generated USD 39,751 through live- stock auctions. Ten community nurseries produced 2,000 seedlings, generating USD 1,133 in community income, and supporting ecosystem restoration efforts.

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Furthermore, the UN increased food system projects by more than 33%. Investments in climate-smart agriculture, job creation, and resilient infrastructure at health centres, schools, and resettlement farms benefited vulnerable populations. Partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, UNAM, the private sector, and international donors strengthened policy implementation, capacity-building, and market access.
The UN improved crop and livestock management skills, leading to enhanced household food security of 6,534 households (10,444 people), including 1,438 headed by women in vulnerable areas of the Ohangwena, Kavango West, Zambezi and //Kharas regions. This was achieved by training 3,910 agricultural extension staff, youth and community leaders and farmers on climate-smart agriculture, pest surveillance and resilience technique; procurement and distribution of agricultural inputs, including fencing materials, gardening tools, poultry, shade nets, small scale irrigation systems, solar-powered submersible water pumps, 459 kg of vegetable seeds and water tanks; distribution of 400-laying hens and 1,251 dual-purpose poultry to 604 households, to expand poultry farming and diversify income sources.
Access to energy, water, food, and essential ser vices was enhanced through collaboration with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD), (MAWLR), and MEFT. The UN supported the installation and handing over of 20 solar-powered bore holes to MAWLR and solar-powered containers to MURD, providing clean water to 6,790 people, impact ing 805 households, and supporting 34,000 livestock. The boreholes valued at N$14,138,391.57, replaced diesel-powered systems with solar energy, improving water security while reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 146,000 kg annually reinforcing Namibia’s commitment to sustainable, low-emission infrastructure.
To ensure long-term impact, community members received training in solar pump maintenance and cli mate-smart agriculture, strengthening resilience and self-sufficiency in rural areas.
The UN also deployed 21 kW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity and installed 65,000 m² of drip irrigation, including 20,000 m² under shade netting, across eight communal gardens in six regions. This initiative improved food security, climate resilience, and income di versification for 220 households (58% female-headed) and an orphanage, while cutting CO2 emissions by 6.2 tonnes annually. To further support peri-urban farmers, the UN provided ten solar-powered e-bikes to facilitate market access and reduce post-harvest losses.
The UN supported the piloting of the Green Cities Initiative in Namibia, training 32 community members (19 male, 13 female, of which 2 were persons with disabilities) in nursery techniques and vegetable production in Eenhana, Ohangwena Region. A fully equipped nursery, including 900 fruit tree seedlings, 490 forestry seedlings, horticultural tools, and a solar-powered pump, was handed over to the Eenhana Town Council to boost urban greening and local food production, contributing to green urban regeneration and increasing health and well-being of the community.
The UN further strengthened community resilience through capacity-building initiatives, including the Integrated Landscape Management Conference, attended by 135 participants (63 female, 72 male), which provided insights into drought-resilient farming and carbon markets. In the Zambezi Region, community-led ecosystem rehabilitation identified five additional restoration sites, strengthening local resilience, and generating fodder-based income. Training programmes equipped 84 community members with skills in sustainable forestry and business management.
The United Nations strengthened Namibia’s response to wildlife crime through enhanced collaboration and environmental protection efforts. A two-day training on financial investigations related to wildlife crime was conducted for 37 investigators and prosecutors (31 males, 6 females) from across the country. Additionally, 26 MEFT officials (19 males, 7 females) were trained on the use of the Wildlife Crime Rapid Reference Guide (RRG) App. A further 37 participants (24 males, 13 females), including investigators, prosecutors, magistrates, and international observers, were capacitated on applying the ICCWC Indicator Framework to combat wildlife and forest crimes.
To address youth unemployment and to control bush encroachment, the UN supported MEFT to capacitate 130 youth (56 female, 74 male) in sustainable biomass harvesting and charcoal production, and as a result, 3,000 hectares of encroached land were sustainably managed which created economic opportunities. With UN support, four predator-proof kraals (Oshikoto, Kunene, Kavango East and Omusati regions) and two early-warning towers (Kunene region) were construct ed to reduce human-wildlife conflict, benefiting 5,063 people.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the UN capacitated Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) officials on tax compliance and revenue generation from mineral exports, thereby strengthening compliance and addressing revenue gaps in the extractive sector towards sustainable resource management.
Geological Agriculture (GeoAg) was introduced by the UN, leveraging local mineral-rich rocks to reduce soil and water dependency for crop cultivation, and generating interest in its potential for household food security. New collaborations with NUST and MME were also established to explore value addition in Namibia’s mineral resources, promoting sustainable economic development.

Improved capacity to prepare, prevent, respond, and recover from climate change induced variability

The UN supported the development of the National Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Strategy, engaging 88 stakeholders (30 female,58 male). This strategy is instrumental in combating deforestation and land degradation while supporting sustainable rural livelihoods. Further support was provided for the development of National Climate Finance Framework, Climate Public Expenditure, and Institutional Review (CPEIR), as well as the Climate Budget Tagging (CBT) roadmap. These initiatives reinforce the country’s commitment to aligning national budget allocations with climate priorities, ensuring transparency and accountability in resource al location. Additionally, support was provided to GRN for the development of a communication plan for its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), engaging 28 stakeholders (18 female, 10 male) which enhanced transparency, stakeholder participation and inclusive climate governance.

With UN support for a climate-resilient Blue Economy, the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) Strategic Action Programme mobilised USD 10,484,931 to enhance sustainable marine re source management. This initiative strengthens the long-term resilience of marine ecosystems and sup ports adaptive responses to climate change impacts on coastal economies. In collaboration with the Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRTC) in Zambia, and the Namibia Energy Institute, the UN supported a TOT programme that capacitated 161 instructors on renewable energy, resulting in the rollout of renewable energy courses at the Eenhana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre.

Capacity of the Namibia Vulnerability Assessment Committee (NAMVAC) was strengthened to improve food security analysis, supporting the implementation of the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) system for standardised food insecurity categorisation. In addition, a multisectoral Early Warning System (EWS) was developed for real-time monitoring and scenario modelling and supporting the establishment of a digitally equipped Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for coordinated dis aster response. These initiatives improved data analysis, standardised assessment frameworks, enhanced early warning capabilities, and strengthened coordination mechanisms.

The UN strengthened the capacity of 151 local government staff in data governance, website development, digitalising job cards and climate vulnerability assessments in the Opuwo, Helao Nafidi and Reho both town councils, through the “Just Transitions in Vulnerable Places: Digital Solutions for More Climate-Resilient Informal Areas in Namibia” initiative. This resulted in the identification of climate impacts on infrastructure, livelihood and settlement, and ability to evaluate vulnerability data gaps. Local authorities were equipped to leverage digital and data-driven solutions, to enhance planning and resilience in informal settlements.

Through the Fostering Water Security in Namibia in the Context of Climate Change initiative, UN supported a multistakeholder engagement to address potential pollution from uranium exploration and in-situ leaching mining in the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS). The subsequent report informed GRN on the impact of uranium exploration in the STAS.

A total of 190 participants from various institutions including MAWLR, MEFT, NamWater, NUST, African Development Bank (AfDB), and Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) were capacitated on the Open Hardware and Software for Sustainable Resource Management, promoting conservation of water resources.

Home-Grown School Feeding Sows Seeds of Success

The home-grown school feeding programme in Namibia offers smallholder farmers like Veronika Misisi a vital opportunity to improve their livelihoods while supporting schoolchildren with nutritious meals. By linking local food production to school feeding, the initiative strengthens food systems, enhances income security, and promotes sustainable agriculture. This story of change illustrates how targeted support can empower rural communities, improve educational outcomes, and advance the goal of leaving no one behind.