2 July 2009
IF Namibia had a National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) in place, it would help the country attract investment for sustainable development projects aimed at fighting climate change.
This was said by Teo Nghitila, the Director of Environmental Affairs, during a one-day consultative workshop in Windhoek last Thursday.
The workshop focused on developing a policy discussion document and proposed future strategies and action.
Nghitila said such a policy will help Namibia get funds from sources such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) - one of the mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol - which allows entities from the developed world to invest in carbon-reduction projects in developing countries.
"But we have no policy to guide us," said Nghitila.
"We are actually under pressure to produce the policy. But this is a process that involves consultation," he continued, adding that the Ministry has been visited by people looking for a national climate change policy.
Versatile Environment Consulting (Versacon) compiled a draft proposal for the NCCP Development Process, which was presented by Versacon's environmental scientist, Dr John Mfune.
He said that the policy should harmonise a number of activities including food security; human health and well-being; sustainable energy and low carbon development in addition to raising awareness among locals.
"For example, people should be made aware of when a drought is coming and what they should do," said Mfune.
He also commented that the policy should contribute to Namibia's national development and climate change convention goals.
Namibia ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1995, before following it with the Kyoto Protocol in 2004. At the moment, Namibia is busy compiling its Second National Communication to the UNFCCC on how the country is addressing climate change.
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