Niël Terblanché
Namibia reaffirmed its dedication to conserving biodiversity, highlighting the critical role it plays in sustaining ecosystems, providing food and medicine, and contributing to overall human well-being.
During the celebration of International Biological Diversity Day in Lüderitz, Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said that biodiversity conservation is not just an environmental issue but a foundational element for economic stability and cultural heritage.
In his address, the minister pointed out that human activities such as deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change pose unprecedented threats to biodiversity.
“The loss of biodiversity has far-reaching consequences, impacting food security, human health, and economic stability,” Shifeta said.
He outlined ongoing efforts to review the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, identifying gaps and challenges while affirming Namibia’s commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
“These efforts are aimed at reversing biodiversity loss and promoting sustainable land management practices,” he added.
Minister Shifeta called for collective action from individuals, organizations, governments, and businesses to address the root causes of biodiversity loss.
He encouraged the adoption of innovative and collaborative approaches to conserve biodiversity and ensure the well-being of all life on earth.
The event also celebrated the active participation of local communities and school learners in raising awareness about the importance of conserving Namibia’s biodiversity.
Shifeta reaffirmed Namibia’s dedication to protecting and preserving biodiversity, urging everyone to recognize the vital role each species plays in maintaining the balance of nature and to embrace sustainability and stewardship principles.
Simultaneously, the Namibian Chamber of Environment issued a call to action regarding the development of the Green Hydrogen sector.
The chamber urged the Namibian government, the German government, and the European Union to commission an independent and transparent Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the green hydrogen sector in Namibia, with broad public consultation.
According to the chamber, the assessment should be aimed at planning the most effective way forward for Namibia, particularly concerning the Tsau ǁKhaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park (TKNP).
The Chamber stressed that the TKNP is one of only 36 global biodiversity hotspots and Namibia’s most biodiverse national park, with more endemic and near-endemic species than any other national park in the country.
They raised concerns about the potential damage to the park’s integrity, biodiversity, landscape, and future tourism due to green hydrogen production.
“The global importance of this national park is greater than all the national parks in Germany,” the chamber said.
They questioned the morality of offshoring the environmental costs of energy production to Namibia, asserting that such actions contradict the principles of biodiversity conservation.
The Namibian Chamber of Environment, an IUCN Member, fully supports the IUCN position that initiatives to mitigate climate change should never come at the expense of biodiversity.
“With such potential damage to one of Namibia’s most globally important national parks and our biodiversity, could this hydrogen really be called ‘green’?” the chamber asked while also suggesting that “RED hydrogen” would be a more appropriate name due to the detrimental impact on biodiversity.
According to the chamber, the balance between economic development and environmental preservation remains a critical challenge.
