Namibia's green energy transition risks nature without proper safeguards, lawyers warn
via The Namibian5 min read
Environmental lawyers in Namibia caution that the country's shift to renewable energy could harm ecosystems if environmental safeguards are not adequately enforced. Des-Rose Engelbrecht, chairperson of the Environmental Lawyers Network of Namibia, emphasizes the need to balance the push for cleaner energy with the protection of biodiversity and natural resources. She notes that while renewable energy is crucial for combating climate change, projects like solar and wind farms can negatively impact ecosystems if not carefully planned and regulated. Engelbrecht stresses that Namibia's renewable future must be built on a legal foundation that protects ecosystems and upholds sustainable development principles. She highlights that Namibia possesses a strong legal framework for environmental challenges, but effective implementation is critical. The Environmental Management Act requires all entities undertaking activities that could affect the environment to comply before commencing operations. Engelbrecht calls for collective effort from government, businesses, and citizens, urging lawmakers and policymakers to strengthen environmental accountability. Meanwhile, NamPower head of generation projects Fred Bailey stated that the utility has installed 519MW of renewable energy generation capacity, including the Ruacana Hydropower Station. Excluding Ruacana, the capacity is 172MW from solar PV and one 5MW wind project. NamPower aims to source at least 70% of Namibia鈥檚 electricity from re
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Must ReadA new government report in Namibia reveals that girls consistently experienced higher rates of reported violence than boys between 2014 and 2023. The Namibia Child Care and Protection Statistics Report, launched by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, indicates an annual average of 1,252 cases of violence against girls compared to 711 for boys during this period. Minister Emma Kantema stated the report provides evidence on cases handled by social workers and the services provided to children in need of care and protection, emphasizing its role in strengthening interventions. The data covers various forms of violence, including kidnapping, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and trafficking. The highest number of reported cases for girls was 1,698 in 2023, while the lowest was 677 in 2021. A decline in reported cases between 2019 and 2021 may be attributed to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Clinical psychologist Shaun Whittaker suggests the gender disparity could be linked to social norms that increase girls' vulnerability to certain abuses, such as sexual violence and exploitation, while cases involving boys might be under-reported due to stigma. He recommends stronger child protection systems, safe reporting spaces, and community programs to address harmful gender norms. German Neumbo, chairperson of the education and information and communication technology committee for the children鈥檚 parliament, highlighted the need for effective implementati
Fatima Mustapha, an award-winning tech innovator, is dedicated to empowering women and youth in Nigeria to address climate change through technology and sustainable practices. Witnessing the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, she co-founded the Future Prowess Foundation in 2007. The foundation focuses on bridging inequality gaps by providing access to digital skills, climate education, and economic opportunities, particularly for women, youth, and refugees. Mustapha's approach integrates green farming, digital empowerment, and innovative agricultural solutions, including training in climate-smart agriculture and advancing plant tissue culture to improve crop yield and resilience. She has trained over 500 women in digital skills, recognizing technology's role in unlocking economic opportunities. Despite challenges like limited technical infrastructure and reliance on traditional farming methods, Mustapha emphasizes building trust, continuous training, and demonstrating concrete impacts. Her work has shown positive results in communities across Maiduguri and other parts of Borno state, where demonstration farms helped overcome initial resistance to modern farming techniques. Mustapha aims to scale this integrated approach across Nigeria and Africa, fostering a network of youth-led, technology-driven climate solutions.
Young Namibian men are susceptible to financial exploitation due to economic hardship and unequal power dynamics, with societal expectations preventing them from seeking help, according to University of Namibia senior sociology lecturer Ellison Tjirera. Tjirera notes that some older women, referred to as 'sugar mummies', exploit young men struggling with basic needs, and wealthy men also target young men. He emphasizes that the core issue is power imbalance, not gender, and that economic realities like rent, tuition, and living expenses push young men into these situations. Mental health advocate Elago Nantana states there are no statistics on the 'blesser' phenomenon involving young men because society expects them to be strong and self-reliant, leading them to remain silent. Nantana argues this issue is a predictable outcome of economic design, not a failure of young men. He adds that young men are often not seen as victims, especially when money or survival is involved, and feel marginalized, believing gender-based violence responses focus solely on women and girls. Nantana suggests Namibia improve awareness and mental health services by providing protective shelters for all genders, as male survivors often lack access. 4x4 Boys Initiative founder Sidney Boois advocates for sustained male engagement programs, better counselling, anonymous reporting systems, and public education on constitutional rights to ensure accountability for perpetrators.