Leader of the Official Opposition in the National Assembly Immanuel Nashinge has proposed the establishment of a Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change to strengthen Namibia's response.

Speaking on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, Nashinge said Namibia could learn from other African countries where parliamentarians are collaborating on research, policy development and practical solutions to climate challenges.

Nashinge forms part of the delegation at COP31, he believes climate change should no longer be viewed as the responsibility of government ministries alone, but as a national priority requiring coordination and participation across different sectors.

He proposed that Parliament establish a dedicated Climate Change Caucus, similar to the existing parliamentary caucuses focusing on youth and women's issues.

Nashinge pointed out that the platform would allow lawmakers to collectively conduct research and develop solutions.

"And that is what other countries are doing. Even our neighbor Zambia, they are way ahead of us. East Africa, those colleagues are doing pretty well. I have seen, for example here, they have non-governmental organizations that are established by the churches. And they are involved. And they are also grabbing all the available opportunities. For example in carbon credit where things like our sewage ponds in the country, in most of our major towns, those are gold mines because here we have, if we have young Namibians or Namibians who understand and they are exposed and they are willing, they are able to come together and put up infrastructure, for example, to produce methane gas which can easily get offtake agreement from outside. And that is foreign currency coming home." 

The opposition leader further suggested that Namibia should become more ambitious in its environmental restoration efforts.