Namibia - Overview

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

Namibia is the most arid African country located south of the Sahara Desert, and the most vulnerable to land degradation. In spite of its very dry climate, Namibia holds a remarkable variety of habitats and ecosystems ranging from deserts (with less than 10 mm of rainfall per year) to subtropical wetlands and savannas (with over 600 mm of rainfall per year)... More »

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

Key challenges to biodiversity conservation relate to the impacts of continued population growth, consumption and production patterns, as well as environmental threats, climate change and land degradation. In addition, Namibia is confronted by pressing development issues, such as the debilitating effects of poverty, unemployment and the HIV/AIDS pandemic... More »

Implementation of the NBSAP

Implementation of the NBSAP1:

The first Namibian NBSAP (2001-2010) constituted a ten-year strategic plan of action for sustainable development through biodiversity conservation. The NBSAP was very comprehensive and comprised of fifteen fundamental principles concerning issues such as: conservation and sustainable use; biodiversity valuation; sound ecosystem management; international cooperation; representative network of protected areas; wise resource management in arid landscapes... More »

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)

The proclamation of the Sperrgebiet paved the way for the consolidation of the entire coastal zone into one new national park. This monumental step forward was completed with the upgrading of the National West Coast Recreation Area to national park status in 2010. This conservation area is now known as the Dorob National Park... More »

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

As focal point to the CBD, the MET (Multi-Lateral Environmental Agreements Division) will oversee the monitoring and evaluation of NBSAP2 with the active and structured support of the NBSAP2 steering committee. It is envisaged that the different key institutions represented on the NBSAP2 steering committee will report back to the committee and high-level stakeholders on an annual basis, in terms of their progress and challenges with regard to achieving the targets and strategic goals of NBSAP2.

Independent mid-term evaluation of NBSAP2 will be undertaken in 2016, in time for presentation to COP-13 to the CBD... More »