Overall NDC Equity Score
Insufficient
Emissions Reductions
Aspiring
The NDC shows potential in their emissions reduction goals due to their impactful reduction policies and programs.
Gender Justice
Insufficient
The NDC makes little to no mention of gender inclusivity.
Youth Inclusion
Critically Deficient
The NDC makes no mention of youth.
Summary
Botswana is an upper-middle income, landlocked country located in Southern Africa with a small population of 2.346 million people. Botswana contributes 0.019% of global GHG emissions yet is severely vulnerable to climate risks associated with climate change due to her semi-arid climate and heavy reliance on rainfed agriculture and limited freshwater availability. Over 70% of its water comes from vulnerable groundwater sources and up to 90% of the agricultural sector relies on rain. Botswana’s NDC however includes over 50 measurable adaptation targets, though it still lacks formal gender frameworks and none at all on the youth. Botswana’s NDC is impactful as a low emitting vulnerable country with a clear scope and adaptation priorities with quantified targets, introducing a financial strategy, showing some progress towards implementation. However, the NDC lacks in the strong enforcement mechanisms, limiting its potential to be transformative. The whole society approach lacks the quantifiable inclusion of gender and no inclusion of youth. Botswana has several climate policies such as Botswana Climate Change Response and National Adaptation Plan, National Climate Strategy and Action Plan while this demonstrates a framework to tackle climate challenges, Botswana track record suggests that even strong policies may not necessarily translate into meaningful implementation or tangible action.
On Gender Mainstreaming: Botswana’s NDC, 2024 acknowledges the importance of gender mainstreaming but lacks any dedicated framework towards achieving it. The NDC outlines several adaptation measures, but does not comprehensively address gender considerations. Botswana has however instituted several policies to promote gender equality, including the National Policy of Gender Development, the National Gender-Based Violence Strategy and the Economic Inclusion Act, which is making a tangible difference in the economic empowerment of women in Botswana. Botswana Power Corporation, has implemented gender mainstreaming in both its internal policies and energy projects. Efforts have also been made to include gender considerations into Green Climate Fund programming.
On Youth Inclusion: The NDC makes no mention of the youth, with no clear dedicated framework towards addressing youth engagement in climate action. Botswana has the National Youth Policy which emphasizes youth empowerment and the need for youth participation in national development including environmental conservation and climate change initiatives. This policy has not been practically implemented and has yet to yield significant or measurable outcomes. Youth-led, privately run organisations strive to integrate youth voices into national climate policies and discussions. There continues to be an absence of formal youth inclusion mechanisms and the NDC needs to integrate the youth perceptive in climate strategies.
Highlights
- Significant improvement from first NDC, including over 50 measurable adaptation actions focused primarily on agriculture, water and health.
- he incorporation of a financial framework and committed national finances to support the implementation of the NDC and achieving climate resilience.
- The NDC shows alignment with national policies such as Vision 2036 and the National Adaptation Plan.
- Prioritizes basic needs such as food and water security and protecting its most vulnerable people.
- The NDC acknowledges the need for a multi-stakeholder engagement with cross-sector partnerships to actively accomplish its goals.
Lowlights
- The NDC makes no reference to youth inclusivity targets or frameworks and also makes minimal reference to any gender response beyond reproductive health.
- No clear accountability or legal frameworks to enforce its implementation
- Lacks ambition in its relatively conservative mitigation targets, given how significantly climate change is impacting Botswana.
- There is insufficient outline/ plan on decentralized community-level initiatives to implement climate actions.
Key Recommendations
Botswana’s NDC underscores the country’s commitment towards climate action, focusing primarily on adaptation due to it being amongst the lowest emitters on a global scale, yet highly vulnerable to its impacts. Botswana has committed to a 15% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 compared to 2015, though highly dependent on international support. Botswana priority financially lies in adaptation measures. While the NDC acknowledges the importance of gender, it lacks in specific frameworks to ensure active participation, while it makes no mention of the participation of the youth.
The National Policy on Gender Development and the National Youth Policy work to attempt to bridge this gap, however, the deficiency and absence of formal gender and youth frameworks in the NDC respectively indicates a need for a more robust integration of inclusivity in Botswana’s climate strategies.
For Gender Mainstreaming
- Botswana needs to include gender-responsive framework, indicators and budget in the next NDC and mainstream the framework, indicators and budget these into each key identified sector.
- The NDC must illustrate a baseline through improved data collection and analysis to better understand and address gender impacts of climate change.
- There is a need to create leadership programs and funding opportunities for women-led climate action initiatives.
- Develop meaningful ways in which women groups can participate and engage in Botswana’s climate decision-making.
- Train implementing agencies on gender-sensitive approaches to climate programming.
For Youth Inclusion
- Botswana NDC needs to formally integrate youth into climate governance, through the establishment of national youth councils and/or advisory boards to the lead agency.
- Build capacity for the green transition in terms of skills development and entrepreneurship programs.
- Allow for the inclusions of youth in the NDC implementation by allocating/ reserving roles and responsibilities for youth groups on project development, rollout, monitoring and evaluation.
- Develop and disseminate funding for grassroot climate action projects initiated by youth organisations.
- The enhancement of environmental education in Botswana’s school curricula and community outreach programs could play a significant role in promoting climate action initiatives.
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