The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources says although Namibia does not have any climate change laws in place, it does not mean that parliamentarians do not have a role to play in the development and implementation of climate policies and climate actions.
Tjekero Tweya was speaking at the 2nd Southern Africa Regional Parliamentarians meeting on strengthening capacity of national parliaments on oversight in climate action accountability and reporting in Windhoek.
Tjekero Tweya says MPs can support climate change actions implemented by calling on the government to promote a stronger and more ambitious framework for monitoring the Conference of Parties (COP).
He urged the government to adopt multi-national strategies that speak to the Nationally Determined Contributions, national action plans for climate change, and align with existing international guidelines and agreements, among others.
"Namibia does not have a climate change law; we don't have one as yet, but things are happening. Do we now leave it to chance? Remember, I said anything can impact direct or indirect, and that is how we decided to do an oversight function despite the lack of law or clear policy."
Tweya noted that MPs can also support climate change policies and actions by proposing legislation or regulations that strengthen freedom of information, campaigning for adequate funding, and recommending the establishment of independent bodies that oversee climate initiatives.
"When the system says we are doing this and this for a community as representatives, we are obliged by the constitution to go and verify that; it is not for lawmakers to put it up, but it is for the executive as we ask for reports, and we as parliament go and verify, and in so doing we work together."
He also touched on how parliamentarians can improve on their oversight by having regular interactions with stakeholders entrusted with implementing climate initiatives and by monitoring and assessing the implementation of climate change initiatives, among others.