Niël Terblanché
The bold plan to obtain 79 percent of all energy used by Namibians from renewable sources is evidence of the country’s determination to make a substantial contribution towards addressing climate change and creating a sustainable future for all.
Namibia’s Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, while affirming the country’s commitment towards the Paris Climate Agreement goals, said “We have a goal that by 2030, 79 percent of our energy will come from renewable sources of energy.”
At the same time the Mayor of Walvis Bay, Trevino Forbes, stressed the importance of collaboration between the central government and local communities to address the critical challenge of climate change.
He was speaking at a stocktaking event for climate change preparedness held in Walvis Bay at the end of last week. Forbes pointed to the urgent need for collective action to combat this global issue.
The event in Walvis Bay is part of a series of stocktaking gatherings occurring in various cities worldwide leading up to the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC), scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12 this year.
In his address, Mayor Forbes highlighted the significance of formally submitting local perspectives and efforts to the UNFCC, ensuring that these crucial elements are represented on the global stage.
He emphasized the event’s goal of fostering a space where diverse voices can be heard, expertise can be shared, and innovative solutions can be explored.
“It is through collective action and collaboration that we can drive meaningful change and progress in our fight against climate change. So let us embrace this opportunity with enthusiasm and a willingness to listen, learn, and engage with one another. Together, we can make a difference and pave the way for a more sustainable future,” Forbes said.
The ultimate objective of these stocktaking events is to provide an official contribution to the Paris Agreement’s Global Stocktaking, effectively transforming every city hall and regional parliament into mini-COP venues under the banner of #Stocktake4ClimateEmergency.
Several other cities around the world, including Accra, Ghana (November 23), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (November 25), Manila, Philippines (November 20), and Yarra, Australia (November 26), are set to host similar events. The global stocktaking process allows countries and stakeholders to assess their collective progress in meeting the goals outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.
The United Nations Developmental Plan’s Climate Change Convention advocates for keeping the global rise in temperature below two degrees Celcius, attributing much of climate change to the burning of fossil fuels in industries worldwide. Namibia, echoing this commitment, is dedicated to reducing carbon emissions.
