Established in 1993, the Resource Economics Programme was initiated to ensure sustainable development and prevent resource wastage, environmental degradation and poverty in Namibia. The programme provides information to convince policy- and decision-makers that Namibia's natural resources are valuable national assets, and that investment in the environment is essential for the country's economic and social welfare. The programme, so far, has been focused on the Kunene, Otjozondjupa and Caprivi regions but is expanding to other regions in Namibia. The programme is aimed at the institutionalization of environmental economics within Government.  

The main objectives of the programme are to:

• demonstrate the value of natural resources within Namibia's regional and national economies;

• encourage national planning that takes into account the economic value of environmental resources;

• ensure an equitable and sustainable distribution of the benefits of natural resource utilisation; and

• enable policy-makers, implementers, government staff and communities to recognise and optimise the value of natural resources.

The target audiences for the programme include:

• national policy and decision-makers;

• development planners; and

• local communities, particularly those residing in communal areas.

Current projects

The programme, involves research and analysis at micro- and macro-economics levels, policy analysis, planning, extension and training. Most work is in Namibia, but there is also an element of regional activity and networking in southern Africa. The programme currently consists of the following components:

1. Economics of Tourism. This embraces the development of tourism satellite accounts, tourism asset base accounts, and research an analysis on the demand and supply of tourism products.

2. Economics of Natural Resource Use (NRM). This embraces economic and policy analysis associated with wildlife and natural resources, in particular the use of these resources by communities. It provides economic support to the Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme.

3. Natural Resource Accounting (NRA). This involves the incorporation of natural resource and environmental concerns into national economic accounting and planning.

4. Economic support to long term DEA programmes. This involves the provision of economic support to programmes such as the WILD project, the Namibian National Biodiversity programme, the Napcod Programme and others.

5. Environmental Investment Fund (EIF). An Environmental Investment Fund is being established to capture and channel funds into programmes and activities that ensure appropriate natural resource management.

Linked partners and funding

Funding for this programme has been received from the Governments of Sweden (Sida), the UK (DFID), the USA (USAID through WWF-US and the LIFE Programme) and Namibia. Besides working closely with other DEA and MET projects and programmes, the Environmental Economics Programme functions in conjunction with NACSO, the LIFE Programme, NNF, DRFN, NEPRU, many other development programmes, NGOs, and many government ministries and directorates, including the National Planning Commission.

Staff

Programme Co-ordinator: Jon Barnes
Economist: Michael Humavindu (coordinator of component 2, above)
Economist: Florette Fleermuys (currently on study leave)
Economist: Olimpio Nhuleipo (coordinator of component 3, above)
Economist: Peter Muteyauli (coordinator of component 1, above)

Training of Namibian Economists is ongoing (four at present time). The programme hosts visiting researches (Doctoral and Masters students, independent researchers and consultants) who are directed to priority research needs.

Contact: Jon Barnes;  jibarnes@iafrica.com.na