Namibia has finalised its Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS)—a nationally determined strategic framework that lays the foundation for transitioning to a net-zero and climate-resilient economy by 2050. Developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and financial support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ), the LT-LEDS sets Namibia’s long-term direction for integrated climate and development planning.

This is not just a technical document. It is a policy shift that requires whole-of-government and whole-of-society alignment. In line with Article 4.19 of the Paris Agreement and the global call under the UAE Consensus, the LT-LEDS is intended to be a national strategy of integration, not a standalone planning exercise.

Namibia’s Readiness and Rationale

Namibia’s development is deeply vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The country is one of the most arid in sub-Saharan Africa and is experiencing increasing temperatures, prolonged droughts, and water scarcity that threaten key economic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and fisheries. Projections estimate a potential GDP loss of up to 3.6% per year by 2050 if climate change remains unaddressed (MEFT, 2025).

Despite these risks, Namibia has a comparative advantage: it possesses abundant renewable energy resources, significant land restoration potential, and a governance framework conducive to innovation and reform. Building on these foundations, the LT-LEDS consolidates Namibia’s commitment to a climate-resilient, low-carbon growth model aligned with its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and Vision 2030.

Key Elements of Namibia’s LT-LEDS Vision

The LT-LEDS provides a strategic framework for economy-wide decarbonisation. It builds on sectoral scenario modelling, stakeholder consultations across all regions, and institutional mapping to determine realistic but ambitious long-term trajectories for emission reductions, energy transition, and adaptive capacity building.

📊 Namibia’s Emission Reduction Targets

The strategy applies a back-casting methodology to define Namibia’s 2050 goals and works backward to set sectoral milestones and policy actions needed in the short to medium term.

A Transformational Roadmap Across Five Pillars

The LT-LEDS identifies five interlinked pillars for strategic transformation:

1. Energy Sector Decarbonisation and Green Hydrogen Development

Namibia aims to achieve 70% renewable electricity generation by 2030 and full energy independence by 2040. This includes:

• Scaling up solar and wind to over 3,200 MW by 2050

• Integrating battery energy storage systems (BESS)

• Developing large-scale green hydrogen hubs in Lüderitz and Tsau //Khaeb

• Electrifying transport and industry to reduce fossil fuel dependence

These interventions alone are projected to reduce emissions by over 15,000 kt CO₂eq by 2050.

2. Sustainable Land Use, Forestry and Agriculture

Namibia’s land-use and agriculture sectors, which contribute significantly to national GHG emissions, are being transformed through:

• Sustainable livestock management and methane-reducing feed additives

• Afforestation and reforestation to restore over 450,000 hectares

• Agroforestry systems, rotational grazing and rangeland rehabilitation

• Water-efficient irrigation in climate-vulnerable regions

Combined, these measures are projected to cut over 14,430 kt CO₂eq from the land-use sector by 2050.

3. Transport Sector Transformation

The transport sector accounts for 7% of Namibia’s national emissions. The strategy calls for:

• Introducing 200,000 electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030

• Rolling out a national EV charging infrastructure

• Expanding public transport electrification in cities

• Developing green fuel alternatives, including hydrogen-based transport

4. Green Industry and Circular Economy

To reduce industrial emissions and position Namibia as a green manufacturing hub, the LT-LEDS proposes:

1. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) in cement production
2. Green hydrogen use in ammonia and steel manufacturing
3. Circular economy models, including industrial recycling and waste-to-energy systems

5. Urban Resilience and Infrastructure Adaptation

Recognising rapid urbanisation and growing climate exposure, the strategy includes:

• Resilient urban planning, including green spaces and flood-proof infrastructure
• Expanding renewable-powered water systems and wastewater reuse
• Supporting climate-resilient housing and informal settlement upgrading

Institutional Responsibilities and Strategic Integration

The LT-LEDS has laid the groundwork. Going forward, its implementation depends on active follow-through by sector ministries and institutions:

The operationalisation of the LT-LEDS must now be led by MEFT in partnership with MME and sectoral agencies. This includes:

• Developing sector-specific strategies aligned to LT-LEDS trajectories

• Integrating LT-LEDS into national development plans (NDP7 onwards)

• Establishing a national climate investment framework

Financing Namibia’s Low-Emission Transition

The LT-LEDS identifies investment requirements of over NAD 100 billion by 2050. A financing framework has been proposed, including:

• Green bonds and climate-linked debt instruments
• Access to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and GEF
• Carbon pricing, including Namibia’s Carbon Market Framework under development
• Public-private partnerships for infrastructure and technology investment

To secure financing, Namibia must demonstrate policy coherence, clear pipelines of bankable projects, and integrated MRV systems.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Updates

A national Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system is being designed to track progress toward LT-LEDS goals. This will:

• Align with Namibia’s Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) under the UNFCCC
• Link with data systems under the NDC Implementation Plan
• Inform annual reporting and stocktake processes through the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC)

Conclusion: The Work Ahead

The completion of Namibia’s LT-LEDS marks an important milestone, but it is only the starting point. The coming years must focus on:

• Mainstreaming LT-LEDS priorities across government planning cycles
• Mobilising resources for large-scale climate investment
• Ensuring policy coherence between climate, energy, industrial, and land-use sectors
• Strengthening institutional capacity at national and local levels

UNDP Namibia remains committed to supporting MEFT and its partners in transitioning from strategy to implementation. The success of the LT-LEDS will depend on sustained leadership, whole-of-government collaboration, and international partnerships that align finance, technology, and policy support to Namibia’s vision of a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future.

Further Reading 

• Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT). (2025). Namibia’s Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS). Windhoek: Government of the Republic of Namibia.

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2024). Climate Promise 2.0: From Pledge to Impact. New York: UNDP.

• Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). (2024). Support to Climate Action in Partner Countries: Sector Overview. Berlin: BMZ.

• Namibia Statistics Agency. (2024). Population and Housing Census 2023: Preliminary Results. Windhoek: NSA.

• UNFCCC. (2023). UAE Consensus: Outcome of the Global Stocktake at COP28. Bonn: UNFCCC Secretariat.