LocationsAs climate negotiations unfold in Türkiye, Namibia faces another uncertain rainfall season. Protecting land, water and biodiversity is becoming increasingly important for food security, livelihoods and national development.
When the rains fail: Why climate action matters for Namibia's future
November 13, 2026
For many Namibian families, the rainy season determines whether crops will grow, livestock will survive and households will have enough food. When rainfall fails, the effects extend beyond farming, affecting water supplies, household income and local economies.
The Namibia Meteorological Service forecasts a greater likelihood of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures across much of the country during the 2026/27 season, associated with El Niño conditions. Although forecasts are not certainties, they provide an opportunity for farmers, communities and authorities to prepare before another difficult season unfolds.
Cattle drinking water from a solar-powered borehole in the dry Kunene Region
UNDP Namibia
Namibia cannot control the rain. But it can control how ready it is when the rain does not come, and that is where this month's climate talks come in.
Why the climate negotiations matter
These concerns come as countries gather in Antalya, Türkiye, for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), taking place from 9 to 20 November 2026.
The negotiations focus on reducing emissions, adapting to climate change and mobilising finance to help countries respond to growing risks. For Namibia, where livelihoods depend heavily on natural resources, these discussions have direct implications for agriculture, water security and economic development.
The COP31 programme also highlights the connections between climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation. Discussions will explore how countries can better coordinate action across these challenges.
For Namibia, this means recognising that restoring degraded land, protecting biodiversity and improving water management are not separate priorities. Together, they help communities withstand drought, maintain food production and protect livelihoods.
Healthy land, stronger communities
Land degradation increases Namibia's exposure to climate shocks. When soils lose fertility and vegetation declines, grazing becomes scarce, harvests fall and communities face greater pressure on already limited water resources.
Namibia's Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) programme identifies targets to improve 21 million hectares of savanna and grassland ecosystems and 550,000 hectares of communal cropland. These ambitions aim to restore productive landscapes while supporting agriculture and rural livelihoods.
Biodiversity is equally important. Healthy ecosystems provide grazing, food, water, natural products and opportunities for tourism. Namibia's draft Third National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework, aims to strengthen conservation while ensuring communities benefit from the sustainable use of natural resources.
Protecting these resources is therefore not only about the environment. It is also about protecting jobs, household income and future economic opportunities.
Turning commitments into action
Namibia submitted its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), outlining the country's updated climate priorities in 2026, developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and supported by UNDP through Climate Promise and funding from the United Kingdom Government. The NDC 3.0 prioritises water security, climate-resilient agriculture, biodiversity and sustainable land management.
Implementation will require an estimated US$14.07 billion, with approximately 88% dependent on international support. These investment needs reinforce the importance of climate finance discussions at COP31. The commitments also support Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which places economic development, environmental sustainability and improved livelihoods among national priorities.
From global commitments to local livelihoods
UNDP works with the Government of Namibia and partners to translate these priorities into practical investments.
Through the Namibia Integrated Landscape Approach for Enhancing Livelihoods and Environmental Governance (NILALEG), communities are restoring degraded landscapes, improving land management and developing income-generating activities.
Other initiatives support shared water resources, biodiversity conservation and climate-resilient food production, helping communities reduce their dependence on increasingly unpredictable rainfall.
These efforts contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly food security, clean water, climate action and healthy ecosystems.
Preparing for the next climate shock
The 2026/27 rainfall forecast reinforces the need for early action. Farmers need timely weather information, communities need reliable water supplies, and national institutions need the resources to prepare for both drought and flooding.
Two women collect water for household use in the dry Kunene Region, where travelling long distances to access this essential resource is part of daily life. The red desert landscape and gnarled trees reflect the harsh environment in which communities live.
UNDP Namibia
As negotiations continue in Türkiye, Namibia's challenge is to turn climate commitments into investments that reach communities, protect productive land and create sustainable livelihoods.
In the end, climate action will be measured not in negotiating rooms but in Namibian homes and fields: can families grow food, can communities secure water, and can future generations depend on healthy land, even as the climate becomes less predictable?
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