A new climate modelling and projections project aimed at improving Namibia’s response to climate change has officially begun. The project was introduced during an inception meeting hosted by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) on 15 April 2026 in Windhoek. The meeting brought together representatives from government, the private sector, academic institutions, and financial organisations.
The project has been awarded to SASSCAL, which will lead a team of national and regional experts. It is funded under Namibia’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) programme by the Green Climate Fund, with oversight from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT).
SASSCAL will work with several partners, including the Global Change Institute, the University of Namibia, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, and the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
The project will be carried out in two main phases. In the first phase, experts will develop detailed climate projections for Namibia. These will include high-resolution data on key climate factors such as temperature and rainfall, based on different global emissions scenarios. The aim is to better understand how climate change could affect the country in the future, including extreme weather events.
In the second phase, the findings will be used to assess risks to important sectors such as water resources, ecosystems, land use, marine environments, and human wellbeing. This will help provide clear information to guide national adaptation planning.
A strong focus of the project is building local skills and knowledge. Although the project will run for nine months, it includes plans for long-term capacity development. Two Namibian researchers will receive specialised training at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.
All data and results from the project will be made freely available through SASSCAL and national platforms. The information will be tailored to support decision-making at different levels, from policymakers to local stakeholders.
This project is expected to play an important role in helping Namibia better prepare for the impacts of climate change.
