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Namibia: Country Approves CDM Project
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New Era (Windhoek)
17 July 2008
Posted to the web 17 July 2008
Wezi Tjaronda
Windhoek
A geothermal energy project has become the first clean development mechanism (CDM) project to be approved in Namibia.
CDM is an arrangement under the Kyoto Protocol that allows industrialised countries with a commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions to invest in projects that reduce emissions in developing countries, as an alternative to more expensive emission-reduction mechanisms in their own countries.
By reducing emissions, Namibia can earn carbon credits from industrialised countries willing to reduce their emissions under the CDM, which may result in significant investments that would in turn contribute to sustainable development.
An official at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism said yesterday the geothermal energy project was approved even though its final approval will come from the executive board of the CDM based in Bonn, Germany.
The official said although the project promoters still have to sort out a number of issues, they indicated that they are ready to have the project started by end of year.
"Due to the increasing demand for energy in the country, they want to start off the ground by the end of this year," the official said.
The ministry is also scrutinising an application of a project to set up a fuel switch project from coal to gas technology.
New Era understands that many embassies in Namibia have approached the ministry about the possibility of their nationals investing in CDM projects in Namibia.
Possible CDM projects include fuel switching, energy efficiency and renewable energy such as wind turbines or solar parks and biofuels.
Incentives for CDM projects include economic growth, increased employment opportunities, diversified economic activity and technological transfer.
African countries so far only account for 2.4 percent of global CDM projects, with the majority (41 percent) being in China and 14 percent in Brazil and India.
As of now, there are 3000 projects in the pipeline. Out of 1117 registered projects, 25 are in Africa.
The CDM is expected to generate more than 2.7 billion certified emission reductions by the time the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney General is still working on regulations for the CDM and Designated National Authority after which the offices will be set up and positions advertised by the end of next month.
The Designated National Authority serves as a point of contact for the CDM in the country to evaluate and approve projects based on national criteria. The local CDM office facilitates the preparation of project proposals for submission through the Designated National Authority to the CDM Executive Board of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
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Although Namibia contributes little to greenhouse emissions, it is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change because of its dependence on natural resources. Assessments conducted on various sectors indicate that the greenhouse effect will result in changes in the environment, which will impact negatively on crop production, fish stocks and wildlife.
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