Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Honourable Anna Shiweda has commended SASSCAL for championing and tapping into the renewable energy space through the Green Hydrogen programme.
I wish to commend SASSCAL for pioneering renewable energy projects, especially in Green Hydrogen. Through this, SASSCAL has extended its borders from five countries to 12 SADC countries by identifying Green Hydrogen hotspots in the region through the production of the Green Hydrogen Atlas.
In support of the Joint Communique between Namibia and Germany signed in 2021, SASSCAL is also overseeing the establishment of the first Green Hydrogen Village in Africa -the Daures Green Hydrogen Village. This is another historical milestone worth mentioning. The introduction and the successful implementation of the Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarships Programme stands as another commendable achievement that we are so grateful for as this will give opportunities to many of our young people.
Hon. Anna Shiweda said this when she officiated at the SASSCAL Climate Dialogue event co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform and SASSCAL on 21 – 22 November 2023 in Windhoek.
This marks the conclusion of the Climate Change Dialogue series for the year. Angola, Botswana, and Zambia have already conducted their respective Dialogues.
The Namibia Climate Change Dialogue provided a unique platform that brought the scientific community, policymakers, and youth together to discuss key challenges of climate change in the country and within the region with an objective to engage participants in high-level structures to reflect on the national agenda at COP 28 and to deliberate on climate-related issues within Namibia and other SASSCAL countries.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, SASSCAL Board Vice Chairperson and Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Land Reform said as the world grapples with the effects of climate change, Namibia is not exempted.
“It does not require rocket science to notice that changes in rainfall patterns, heat waves and other strange weather phenomena are clear signs that the climate is changing. This has been a reality and as a country, we have seen these drastic effects that keep impacting on our communities,” remarked Dr Ngurare.
Meanwhile, SASSCAL Executive Director, Dr Jane Olwoch explained that the idea behind the climate Change Dialogues is to create a platform where the region reflects “on our journey with climate change response and remind each other that without a collective action our response will be limited.”
Dr Olwoch reiterated that climate change in Southern Africa is hitting at household level so hard and the United Nations Secretary-General last year labelled it a Red Code to Humanity at a global level.
“One wonders what code SADC should have in view of the fact that it is projected to be even hotter and drier in comparison with some other regions in Africa that might be hotter but wetter,” the SASSCAL Executive Director said, adding that SADC predictions are that the region could experience the kind of environment never seen before.
“Could this be the challenge in finding a collective response? Some areas may even benefit from climate change. How then does one bring a consensus on action. We must therefore dialogue with facts on knowledge of the kind of code our region should carry. If indeed the world carries RED CODE, what code does SADC carry,” she quizzed.
The Dialogue further deliberated on the Multilateral Environmental Agreements within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Climate Change Research and Socio-Economic Development, SASSCAL’s contribution to the research landscape on climate change through data and services, and Advocating Youth for Climate Change Science and Innovations.
Additionally, presentations on the current water systems that support dam management and operational activities in Namibia were made. There were also demonstrations spotlighting SASSCAL’s Products and Services, the WEMAST Project and the Geoportal.
A lot of young people attended the Dialogue and benefitted from a series of panel discussions. These covered critical topics like “Fostering and Nurturing Namibian Youth for Climate Change: Action-Shaping the Future of Tomorrow,” “New Research as a Foundation to Support Mitigations and Adaptation,” “Partnership in Research Capacity Development: Postgraduate Studies and Funding Opportunities,” and “National Policy and the Road to COP 28.”
The SGSP-IWRM also held a poster exhibition on their study areas.
Members of Parliament, representatives of Government, UN and other Development Partners, Local Authorities, Public Enterprises, Research partner institutions, members of the Academia and officials of MAWLR, SASSCAL and the youth attended the dialogue.
