Direct CO₂ emissions from the building sector were under 1% of Namibia’s total emissions in 2015, although this does not include emissions from biomass used for cooking.
Total final consumption in the residential sector increased between 199611 -2019 (6718 TJ to 7979 TJ), while consumption in commercial and public buildings reduced (209TJ to 82TJ) in that timeframe. Combined, the total final energy consumption of the sector increased from 6927 TJ to 8061 TJ by 2019.5
Namibia’s 2021 Biennial Update Report includes a mitigation objective that at least 80% of total gross floor area should meet green buildings standards by 2030, and unspecified energy efficiency measures.2
Analysed 1.5°C pathways show electrification of the building sector reaching around 15% by 2050. This is likely an underestimation of the potential to electrify the sector, which will also be crucial for development goals. Uncertainties in the historical data for the buildings energy mix likely contributes to this underestimation. As of 2020, about 56% of Namibia’s population had access to electricity.
1 Republic of Namibia. Namibia’s NDC Update. (2021).
2 Republic of Namibia. Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR4) to the UNFCCC. (2021).
3 Ministry of Mines and Energy. National Energy Policy. (2017).
4 United Nations Environment Programme. Atlas of Africa Energy Resources. (2017).
5 IEA. Data & Statistics – IEA. https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-browser?country=WORLD&fuel=Energy consumption&indicator=ElecConsPerCapita (2021).
6 Net Zero Tracker. Namibia profile. (2022).
7 Ministry of Mines and Energy. National Renewable Energy Policy. (2017).
8 IRENA. Energy Profile: Namibia. (2022).
9 Namibia Power Corporation. NamPower – Ruacana Power Station. (2022).
10 Republic of Namibia. Fourth National Communication to the UNFCCC. (2020).
11 There is no data for the commercial and public buildings sector before 1996.
12 Note that a Carbon Tax – starting at N$40 per g/km of CO₂ in the 2016-2020 transition period – is mentioned in the 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR4), published in early 2021, however, there is no mention of any extension in the NDC submitted to the UNFCCC in late 2021.
Namibiaʼs energy mix in the buildings sector
petajoule per year
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Oil and e-fuels
- Biomass
- Biogas
- Biofuel
- Electricity
- Heat
- Hydrogen
Namibiaʼs buildings sector direct CO₂ emissions (of energy demand)
MtCO₂/yr
- Historical emissions
- Low energy demand
1.5°C compatible buildings sector benchmarks
Direct CO₂ emissions and shares of electricity, heat and biomass in the buildings final energy demand from illustrative 1.5°C pathways for Namibia
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | Decarbonised buildings sector by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Direct CO₂ emissions MtCO₂/yr | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Share of electricity Percent | 0 | 1 | 2 to 6 | 7 to 15 |
Share of heat Percent | 0 | 0 to 1 | 0 to 1 | 3 to 54 |
Share of hydrogen Percent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |