Environmental Law and Policy in Namibia

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Oliver C. Ruppel; Dr. Katharina Ruppel-Schlichting

doi:10.5771/9783748933564

Summary

Namibia - formerly South West Africa - is one of the driest countries on earth, making its pristine environment particularly sensitive and in need of protection. This publication examines national environmental law and Namibian environmental policy in interaction with international environmental norms and standards. The environmental law of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community is also addressed. The publication reflects legal and policy options for regulating different sectoral environmental interests that are also relevant for international development cooperation and economic exchange. In addition, the work provides a solid foundation for comparative environmental law scholarship.With contributions byShirley Bethune, Clinton Hay, Pieter Heyns, Manfred O. Hinz, Jonathan M. Kamwi, Peter Frank Koep, Eliamani Laltaika, Isaac Mapaure, Willem Odendaal, Felicity F. Owoses, Oliver Ruppel, Katharina Ruppel-Schlichting, Elize Shakalela, Hugo Meyer van den Berg, Clemens C. C. von Doderer, Anielle von Finckenstein and Detlof von Oertzen.

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Bibliographic data

Copyright year: 2022
ISBN-Print: 978-3-8487-8828-6
ISBN-Online: 978-3-7489-3356-4
Publisher: Nomos, Baden-Baden
Series: Recht und Verfassung in Afrika - Law and Constitution in Africa
Volume: 43
Language: English
Pages: 839
Product type: Edited Book

Titelei/InhaltsverzeichnisPages 1 - 36 Download chapter (PDF)
1. Oliver C. Ruppel, Katharina Ruppel-Schlichting Download chapter (PDF)
  1. Namibia in a Nutshell: Facts and Figures
  2. The Legal Setup in Namibia
  3. The Laws
  4. 1. The Supreme Court
    2. The High Court
    3. The Lower Courts
    4. The Magistrates’ Courts
    5. The Community Courts
  5. The Ombudsman
2. Katharina Ruppel-Schlichting Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Terminology
  2. Foundations of Environmental Protection
  3. Functions of Environmental Law
  4. Historical Development of Environmental Law
3. Katharina Ruppel-Schlichting Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. 1. Land Degradation and Soil Erosion
    2. Deforestation
    3. Water Scarcity
    4. Climate Change
    5. Biodiversity Loss
    6. Waste and Pollution
4. Oliver C. Ruppel Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. The Namibian Constitution
  3. 1. Namibia’s Green Plan
    2. Vision 2030 and the National Development Plans
  4. 1. Policies on Environment, Wildlife and Biotechnology
    2. Policies on Land and Agriculture
    3. Policies on Water
    4. Policy on Forests
    5. Policies on Tourism
    6. Climate Change and Energy
    7. Environmental Education
  5. 1. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
    2. National Strategy on Wildlife Protection and Law Enforcement
    3. Namibia’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan
    4. Aquaculture Strategic Plan
    5. Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of Renewable Energy Policies
    6. Forestry Strategic Plan
  6. 1. Environmental Framework Legislation
    2. Nature Conservation, Wildlife and Traditional Knowledge
    3. Legislation on Water
    4. Legislation on Fisheries and Marine Resources
    5. Legislation on Land and Agricultural Production
    6. Legislation on Forestry
    7. Legislation on Energy and Mining
  7. Roman-Dutch and Common Law
  8. Customary Law
  9. Criminal Aspects of Environmental Law
1. Oliver C. Ruppel Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. The Application of International Law in Namibia
  3. 1. International Conventions: Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)
    2. Customary International Law
    3. General Concepts and Principles of International Environmental Law
    4. Judicial Decisions and Teachings
  4. Multilateral Environmental Agreements Relevant to Namibia
2. Oliver C. Ruppel Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Structure of the AU
  3. Environmental Issues Within the AU’s General Legal Framework
  4. 1. The African Convention on Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 1968
    2. The Revised (Algiers) Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 2003
    3. Bamako Convention on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa
    4. The Maritime Transport Charters
    5. The African Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba)
    6. The Phyto-Sanitary Convention for Africa
    7. The African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa
  5. Agenda 2063
  6. 1. The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Court of Justice to become the African Court of Justice and Human Rights
    2. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
    3. The AU Commission on International Law
  7. 1. The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN)
    2. Relevant Departments within the AU Commission
    3. The Peace and Security Council (PSC)
    4. The African Union Development Agency and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD)
3. Oliver C. Ruppel Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Institutional Structure of SADC
  3. Heterogeneity within SADC
  4. 1. The SADC Treaty
    2. The SADC Protocols
    3. SADC Vision 2050 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP)
    4. Selected Environmental Strategies and Declarations
    5. The SADC Judicial Body
1. Katharina Ruppel-Schlichting Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. 1. Environmental Management Principles in the EMA
    2. Ministerial Competencies
    3. Institutions / Officials under the EMA
    4. Environmental Plans under the EMA
    5. Environmental Assessment under the EMA
    6. Enforcement and Appeal under the EMA
    7. Selected Practical Implications of the EMA and EMA Regulations
    8. Proposed Amendments to the EMA
  3. Concluding Remarks
2. Katharina Ruppel-Schlichting Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. International Law
  3. 1. Pollution under the Constitution
    2. Common Law Aspects of Pollution
    3. Framework Legislation: The Environmental Management Act No. 7 of 2007 (EMA)
    4. Sectoral Legislation
    5. National Solid Waste Management Strategy (2018-2028)
    6. Waste Management at Municipal Level: The Example of the City of Windhoek
  4. Concluding Remarks
1. Manfred O. Hinz, Oliver C. Ruppel Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Biodiversity in Perspective
  3. International Environmental Law Pertinent to Biodiversity Protection in Namibia
  4. 1. The Constitution
    2. Statutory Law
    3. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
2. Willem Odendaal Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. 1. Article 95 of Namibia’s Constitution
    2. The Environmental Management Act No. 7 of 2007
    3. Namibia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
    4. Obligations under International Agreements
  3. 1. For Wildlife Crimes
    2. The Nature Conservation Ordinance No. 4 of 1975
    3. The Game Products Trust Fund Act No. 7 of 1997
    4. The Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act No. 9 of 2008
    5. The Protected Areas and Wildlife Management Bill (2017)
  4. 1. Expansion of the Legislative Framework
    2. The Whistleblower Protection Act and Monetary Incentives for Information and Cooperation
    3. Greater Coordination in the Prosecution of Wildlife Crimes is Needed
    4. Judicial Reforms Are Needed to Enable Prosecutors to More Diligently Prosecute Wildlife Crimes
    5. Communal Property Areas Need Improved Management
  5. 1. Beyond the Poacher: Prosecuting Criminals Higher Up the Chain
    2. Improving Coordination in, and Effectiveness of, the Prosecution of Wildlife Crimes
  6. Conclusion
1. Pieter Heyns, Shirley Bethune Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. 1. Rainfall
    2. Evaporation
    3. Water Balance
    4. Water Resources
    5. Water Demand
    6. Water Scarcity
  3. The Challenge to Provide Water Services
  4. Conception and Implementation of National Water Policy and Law
  5. 1. The Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Policy (WASP)
    2. The National Water Policy (NWP)
    3. The Water Supply and Sanitation Policy (WSASP)
    4. The Draft Wetland Policy
  6. 1. The Constitution of Namibia
    2. The Water Act No. 54 of 1956
    3. The Water Resources Management Act No. 24 of 2004
    4. The Water Resources Management Act No. 11 of 2013
    5. The Soil Conservation Act No. 76 of 1969
    6. Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone of Namibia Act No. 3 of 1990
    7. The Namibia Water Corporation Act No. 12 of 1997
  7. 1. Introduction
    2. National Water Planning
  8. 1. Introduction
    2. The Helsinki Rules
    3. The United Nations Watercourses Convention
    4. Theories of Sharing Transboundary Water
    5. Customary and General Principles of International Law
    6. The SADC Water Protocols
    7. The SADC Regional Water Policy
  9. 1. Introduction
    2. Water Commission Institutional Structure
    3. The Kunene River Agreements
    4. The Okavango River Agreement
    5. The Orange River Agreements
    6. The Zambezi River Agreements
    7. The Cuvelai Watercourse Commission
2. Pieter Heyns Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Background
  3. The Okavango River Basin
  4. Development of the Eastern National Water Carrier in Namibia
  5. 1. The Omatako Canal
    2. The Proposed Rundu–Grootfontein Pipeline Feasibility Study
    3. The Proposed Divundu Hydropower Project
    4. The Activities of the OKACOM
  6. 1. Development plans
    2. Negotiating the Development Space
  7. Conclusion
3. Clinton Hay Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. 1. Namibia’s Marine Resources Policy: Towards Responsible Development and Management of the Marine Resources Sector (2004)
    2. Namibia’s Inland Fisheries Policy: White Paper on the Responsible Management of the Inland Fisheries of Namibia (1995)
    3. Namibia’s Aquaculture Policy: Towards Responsible Development of Aquaculture (2001)
  3. 1. The Marine Resources Act No. 27 of 2000
    2. The Inland Fisheries Resources Act No. 1 of 2003
    3. The Aquaculture Act No. 18 of 2002
1. Oliver C. Ruppel, Anielle von Finckenstein Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Soil Protection in the International Legal Framework
  3. Soil, SDGs and the Right to Food
  4. Soil and Global Climate Governance
  5. 1. The Constitution and Land Tenure in Namibia
    2. Policy, Legislative, and Institutional Framework Relating to Soil Protection: An Overview
    3. Land and Agricultural Policies
    4. Land and Agriculture Related Legislation
  6. Concluding Remarks
2. Felicity F. Owoses Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. The Concept of Land-Use Planning
  3. Environmental Aspects of Land-Use Planning
  4. Planning Levels
  5. Land-Use Plans
  6. The Land-Use Planning as a Process
  7. Approaches to Land-Use Planning
  8. Current Land-Use Policy and Legislative Framework
  9. Legislative and Policy Framework on Land-Use Planning
  10. 1. The National Planning Commission
    2. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform
    3. Ministry of Urban and Rural Development
    4. Other Authorities, Organisations and Persons
  11. 1. National Spatial Development Framework
    2. Regional Structure Plans
    3. Urban Structure Plans
    4. Zoning Schemes
  12. Authorised Planning Authorities
  13. Regional Planning
  14. 1. Policy, Legal and Institutional Frameworks
    2. Status of Coastal Zone Management
    3. The National Policy on Coastal Management
    4. Defining the Coastal Zone
  15. Concluding Remarks and Recommendations
3. Clemens C.C. von Doderer, Jonathan M. Kamwi, Oliver C. Ruppel Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Constitutional Provisions Relevant to Forests
  3. 1. The SADC Protocol on Forestry and the Forestry Strategy
    2. The Forest Policy of 1992
    3. Namibia’s Forestry Strategic Plan of 1996
    4. 2001 Development Forestry Policy for Namibia
    5. De Lege Lata: The Forest Act No. 12 of 2001
    6. De Lege Ferenda
    7. The 2015 Forest Regulations to the Forest Act
    8. The Community Forestry Guidelines of 2005
    9. The Customary Law of Traditional Communities
    10. The Environmental Management Act No. 7 of 2007
  4. Concluding Remarks
1. Meyer van den Berg, Peter Koep Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 The Environmental Management Act
  2. 1. The Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act
    2. The Minerals Policy
    3. The SADC Protocol on Mining
2. Detlof von Oertzen Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1. The Liquid Fuels Sector
    2. The Electricity Sector
    3. The Upstream Oil and Gas Sectors
    4. The Renewable Energy Sector
  2. 1. Energy Security
    2. Energy and Climate Change
    3. International Regulatory Framework
    4. Regional Regulatory Framework – the SADC Region
    5. Support Mechanisms for the Deployment of Renewable Energies
  3. 1. The Petroleum Products and Energy Act (1990)
    2. The Petroleum Exploration and Production Act (1991)
    3. The White Paper on Energy Policy (1998)
    4. The Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act (2005)
    5. The SADC Protocol on Energy (2006)
    6. The Draft Gas Bill (2001)
    7. Vision 2030 (2004)
    8. The Electricity Act (2007)
    9. National Connection Charge Policy (2014)
  4. Nuclear Fuel Cycle Policy (2014)
  5. Net Metering Rules (2016)
  6. Fifth National Development Plan (2017)
  7. Harambee Prosperity Plan (2016)
  8. National Energy Policy (2017)
  9. National Renewable Energy Policy (2017)
  10. National Independent Power Producer Policy (2018)
  11. Draft Electricity Bill (2018)
  12. Draft Namibia Energy Regulatory Authority Bill (2018)
  13. Draft Off-Grid Electrification Policy (2019)
  14. Draft Smart Grid Policy (2019)
  15. Draft National Electrification Policy (2020)
3. Detlof von Oertzen Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Supply Entities
  3. Independent Power Producers
  4. Embedded Generators
  5. Distributed Generating Capacity
  6. Emergency and Backup Generating Capacity
  7. Off-grid Generating Capacity
  8. Electricity Demand
  9. Electricity Distributors
  10. Revenues Generated
  11. Electricity Price
  12. 1. Electricity End-Users
    2. Ministry of Mines and Energy
    3. Electricity Control Board
    4. Namibia Power Corporation
    5. Electricity Distribution and Supply Entities
    6. Private Sector Entities
  13. 1. The Single Buyer Market Model (2000 to 2019)
    2. The Modified Single Buyer Market Model (from 2020)
  14. Private Sector Participation in the Electricity Industry
  15. 1. Direct Negotiations
    2. Competitive Bidding and Tendering
  16. 1. Short-term Imperatives – 2021 to 2025
    2. Medium- to Long-term Imperatives – beyond 2025
  17. Concluding Remarks
1. Isaac Mapaure Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Namibia’s Contribution to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
  3. Climate Trends and Projections
  4. 1. Climate Situation and Vulnerability
    2. Agriculture
    3. Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Tourism
    4. Coastal Zone
    5. Energy
    6. Human Health and Well-Being
    7. Fisheries and Marine Resources
    8. Water Resources
  5. Compliance, Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change: Summary of Selected Actions Taken
  6. Concluding Remarks
2. Oliver C. Ruppel Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. 1. Impacts of Climate Change
    2. Future Risks and Opportunities
    3. Box: Green Hydrogen from Namibia?
  3. 1. Legal Climate Change Action?
    2. Constitutional Aspects of Climate Change
    3. Implementing Article 44 of the Constitution: Legislation Relevant for Climate Change
    4. Implementing Article 95(l) of the Constitution: Namibia’s Climate Change Policy
  4. 1. International Climate Law
    2. Domestic Climate Policy
    3. Domestic Climate Law
    4. Private Law Litigation
    5. Neighbour Law and Nuisance Claims
    6. Public Climate Litigation
    7. International Climate Litigation
  5. Conclusion
1. Manfred O. Hinz Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Post-Independence Conservation Policy in Namibia: Gateway for Customary Environmental Law
  3. Customary Law and Customary Environmental Law within the General Legal System
  4. Community Projects (Conservancies, Community Forests, Fishery Reserves) and Customary Law
  5. BIOTA and TFO Research on Customary Law and the Environment
  6. Traditional Conservationism
  7. The Protection of Traditional Knowledge
  8. Concluding Remarks
2. Eliamani Laltaika Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Defining Traditional Knowledge and Associated Genetic Resources
  3. Biopiracy
  4. Western Intellectual Property Regime versus Community Rights
  5. The Convention on Biological Diversity: A New Era for GR Governance?
  6. 1. The International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources
    2. The TRIPS Agreement and UPOV
    3. Historical Backdrop
    4. The Pinch of IPR to Farmers
  7. 1. The OAU Model Legislation on the Protection of the Rights of Local Communities, Farmers and Breeders, and for the Regulation of Access to Biological Resources
    2. The Swakopmund Protocol on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Folklore
  8. 1. Overview of the Protocol
    2. Does the Protocol Make a Difference?
    3. Too Little, Too Late?
  9. The Need for a Paradigm Shift
  10. Concluding Remarks
1. Oliver C. Ruppel Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Environmental Justice and Advocacy
  3. Administrative Procedures for Compliance and Enforcement
  4. The Role of Namibian Courts in Environmental Matters
  5. Criminal Law
  6. 1. Environmental Litigation
    2. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the Field of Environmental Conflict
  7. Concluding Remarks
2. Elize Shakalela Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction to Environmental Courts and Tribunals
  2. 1. Free-standing Environmental Court (EC) Model
    2. Specialised Green Chambers
    3. Green Judges
    4. Tribunals
  3. ECTs in the Context of Namibia’s Judiciary and the Environmental Management Act
  4. 1. Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration
    2. Development Agencies
    3. The Judiciary
    4. Other Factors
  5. 1. ECTs as Effective Tool to Enforce Environmental Law Timeously
    2. Option to Operate as a Multi-Door-Court-House
    3. Comprehensive Locus Standi
    4. Improving Access to Environmental Justice
    5. An African Example: The Environment and Land Court (ELC) of Kenya
  6. Conclusion
3. Katharina Ruppel-Schlichting Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Legal Foundations
  3. Basic Characteristics of the Ombudsman in Namibia
  4. The Environmental Mandate of the Ombudsman
  5. Investigation, Enforcement and Reporting Procedures
1. Oliver C. Ruppel Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1. The Trade Perspective
    2. The Environmental Perspective
    3. The Development Perspective
    4. Sustainable Development: The Answer to the Dilemma?
  2. The Role of Trade for Sustainable Development and the Reduction of Poverty in Africa
  3. Regional Integration and Natural Resources in Southern Africa
  4. 1. The Primary Objectives of the WTO
    2. The 2001 Doha Declaration and the Environment
    3. The Committee on Trade and Environment
    4. WTO Agreements and Environmentally Relevant Provisions
    5. The WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body
    6. Some Environmental Case References
    7. The WTO and the North-South Divide
    8. Climate Change and WTO Law
  5. Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and the Multilateral Trading System
  6. The Trade and Investment Environment in Namibia
  7. Cotonou and Post-Cotonou Agreement
  8. Concluding Remarks
2. Oliver C. Ruppel Download chapter (PDF)
  1. 1 Introduction
  2. Human Rights Categories
  3. 1. The Preamble
    2. Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
    3. Article 6: The Right to Life
    4. Article 8: Respect for Human Dignity
    5. Article 10: Equality and Freedom from Discrimination
    6. Article 15: Children’s Rights
    7. Articles 18 and 5: Administrative Justice
    8. Article 19: The Right to Culture
    9. Article 25: Enforcement of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
    10. Article 95(1): The Environmental Principle of State Policy
    11. Article 100: Sovereign Ownership of Natural Resources
    12. Article 144: International Law
  4. Concluding Remarks
Bibliography Pages 789 - 839 Download chapter (PDF)