Under the theme Enhance ambition, enable action, Namibia aims to actively engage in critical climate negotiations to advance its position on key issues outlined in the Paris Agreement at COP 29. Central to Namibia’s priorities is the urgent need for enhanced climate finance.

Finance: Namibia is concerned by the underperformance of financial commitments made by developed countries, especially the shortfall in the USD 100 billion per year target to support developing nations’ mitigation and adaptation efforts. The country is calling for a more robust financial mechanism that ensures adequate and predictable funding, with a particular emphasis on increasing grant-based support.

Adaptation: Namibia insists that climate finance should be balanced between mitigation and adaptation, with a focus on long-term, sustainable support for developing countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Mitigation: Namibia advocates for more ambitious global targets, calling on countries, particularly developed ones, to submit stronger and more robust NDCs to ensure that global temperature rise remains below 1.5°C. Namibia stresses that developed countries must take the lead in emission reductions, adhering to the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). The country urges the international community to accelerate efforts to achieve net-zero emissions and support developing nations’ transition to a low-carbon economy.

Adaption: Namibia calls for the establishment of a clear Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) to guide global efforts. The country emphasises that adaptation must be treated with the same level of priority as mitigation, with climate finance split evenly between the two pillars. Namibia urges that proceeds from carbon markets under the Paris Agreement should be allocated to the Adaptation Fund, enabling developing countries to build resilience against the impacts of climate change. Additionally, Namibia highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy to address loss and damage caused by climate change. With increasing climate-related disasters across the African continent, Namibia advocates for the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and calls for new, additional financial resources based on the polluter-pay principle.

Namibia also underscores the importance of technology transfer and capacity building to support its transition to a green economy. The country seeks to accelerate the transfer of climate technologies, enhance collaboration with stakeholders, and ensure that capacity-building initiatives are effectively coordinated. Namibia calls for the mobilisation of financial resources for these initiatives, and for developed countries to fulfil their obligations under the Paris Agreement to provide both technology and financial assistance.

Lastly, Namibia highlights the need for enhanced transparency in climate action. Under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement, Namibia advocates for the swift finalisation of reporting formats to ensure transparent tracking of greenhouse gas emissions and the support provided to developing countries. Namibia also emphasises her commitment to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which promotes voluntary international cooperation to support the implementation of NDCs.

By engaging in carbon markets, Namibia seeks to attract investment and generate revenue for climate change mitigation and sustainable development, while preserving its natural resources. This integrated approach, combining mitigation, adaptation, and finance, will be crucial for Namibia to meet its climate goals and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change