By Paulina Shipahu
Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Seminar on Climate Change and Sustainable Development for Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries in Beijing, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and organised by the National Academy of Forestry and Grassland Administration (NAFGA).
The seminar brought together officials from various BRI countries to exchange experiences, learn from China’s practices in ecological civilisation, forestry and grassland management, ecosystem restoration, and ecological poverty alleviation as tools for sustainable development.
Coming from the Northern Part of Namibia, where afforestation and environmental restoration are vital after years of deforestation, it was both insightful and immensely inspiring.
Outside the seminar room, field visits from Beijing to Fujian Province illustrated and showcased how agricultural development, urbanisation, culture and tourism can be integrated while promoting climate adaptation and environmental sustainability.
One of the most significant lessons from the seminar was China’s experience in combating desertification and restoration of degraded ecosystems. While climatic situations vary from place to place, there are useful lessons that Namibia can draw from and adapt to fit our unique environmental challenges.
Namibia is under increasing environmental stress, including soil degradation, sand mining, deforestation, drought and water scarcity.
China’s ecological restoration initiatives demonstrate that state-led, long-term environmental planning is key.
The Chinese approach is based on the notion that forest protection is not only about climate change mitigation, but also about enhancing livelihoods, water resource conservation, strengthening food systems and maintaining ecological balance.
Crucially, China has integrated climate goals directly into its national development blueprints. Under this framework, the institutional cadre evaluation system actively incentivizes environmental stewardship by tying “promotions” to a balance between GDP growth and ecological sustainability.
The Five-Year Plans evaluate Local Authorities and State-Owned Enterprises not only on economic growth, but also on energy efficiency and carbon intensity targets, and this points to a governance style that is increasingly seeing environmental sustainability as part of economic development rather than a competing priority.
These lessons resonate strongly with Namibia as the 8th Administration has declared 12 May as Nujoma Day and National Tree Planting Day. This day honours the late Founding President Sam Nujoma’s commitment to environmental conservation while promoting a culture of tree planting and ecological responsibility.
Furthermore, although participation remains voluntary, there is a need to elevate Tree Planting into a broader civic responsibility and national culture.
Carbon markets and nature-based climate solutions are another promising avenue. Namibia is developing a carbon market framework and positioning itself as a future green industrial hub through renewable energy and green hydrogen development.
Partnerships on forestry carbon sinks and ecosystem-based carbon projects could create opportunities for climate finance, green jobs, and rural income generation.
Crucially, this increasing cooperation mirrors a wider global truth: environmental sustainability and economic growth are no longer mutually exclusive concerns.
The importance of environmental sustainability is also evident in Namibia’s tourism sector, one of the country’s core economic pillars.
A particular concern is the fragility of Etosha National Park, where, during October 2025, a massive blaze that originated from charcoal production activities near commercial farms caused widespread environmental destruction and significant wildlife casualties.
Protecting this natural asset is both an environmental and economic imperative. With sustained investment, strategic collaborations and policy consistency, Namibia can undoubtedly transform its environmental challenges into opportunities for economic growth, employment creation, ecological sustainability and turn its environmental concerns into employment opportunities, ecological sustainability and become a worldwide leader in dryland development.
*Paulina Shipahu is a Public Policy Scholar and advocate for Global Partnerships. She writes in her personal capacity.
