Indigenous, local, and traditional knowledge systems and practices, including indigenous peoples’ holistic view of community and environment, are a major resource for adapting to climate change, but these have not been used consistently in existing adaptation efforts. Additionally, communities lack the resources to help them improve, implement, and scale these efforts, and ensure that protecting nature is at the heart of the project outcomes.

Climate challenges in Namibia are regionally varying. Droughts are predicted to become longer and more intense, which is particularly bad news for communities in the arid north-west of Namibia.  While in the east, rainfall may be heavier and more unpredictable, causing rising rivers and impacting wildlife, agriculture and communities who live along these rivers. Under both scenarios, wildlife will need to adapt and landscape connectivity will need to be protected to ensure that they can move to and from resources.  

WWF is investing in promoting a wildlife- and nature-based economy in Namibia that elevates climate resilience in local communities through building institutional capacities, diversifying and increasing household income through wildlife related income generating opportunities, and raising awareness about climate risks. 

WWF and our partners work with farmers to prepare for climate change using conservation agriculture and indigenous plant harvesting.

We support communal conservancies as they promote the protection of a network of connected land for wildlife to move freely in response to climate change.

WWF is also an active part of the network initiative, Climate Crowd which works with communities and local NGOs in over 30 countries, to collect and analyze data on climate impacts to communities, and work with them to develop, fund and implement on the ground solutions that help people and nature adapt to a changing climate.