Botswana has unveiled a bold new climate strategy that emphasizes adapting to the impacts of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and cyclones, over aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The approach, which has drawn praise from African climate negotiators, positions Botswana as a model for low-emitting nations vulnerable to climate change.
The country’s latest nationally determined contribution (NDC), submitted to the United Nations in December 2024, maintains its original target of a 15% emissions reduction by 2030. However, the new plan significantly expands on adaptation measures, addressing the unique climate challenges faced by the southern African nation.
Focusing on Vulnerability, Not Emissions
In a nation where greenhouse gas emissions are among the lowest in the world, the Botswana government has opted to prioritize adaptation over mitigation. The document highlights the country’s scarce financial resources, which are primarily directed toward minimizing the impacts of climate change, such as acute water shortages and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
Botswana’s government plans to allocate $2.1 billion for adaptation projects and $0.9 billion for emissions cuts by 2030. If the country secures foreign funding, an additional $3.1 billion would be invested in further adaptation and mitigation initiatives, including solar power installations and biogas plants.
Innovative Adaptation Measures
With the country already experiencing extreme weather conditions — including heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and tropical cyclones — the government’s strategy outlines over 50 specific targets to enhance resilience. One key initiative is expanding water access by connecting more settlements to pipelines, as well as investing in desalination technologies. The government also plans to reduce livestock mortality rates from 25% to 10% by introducing drought-resistant cattle breeds and improving livestock management practices.
Additionally, Botswana aims to distribute drought-tolerant seeds to half of its smallholder farmers and three-quarters of commercial farmers in a bid to safeguard food security and agricultural production.
Strengthening Climate Infrastructure
In a bid to bolster its capacity to respond to climate-related threats, Botswana is set to increase its automated weather stations from 19 to 600, ensuring more reliable storm and flood warnings across the country. The government is also focused on improving the resilience of its infrastructure, with new public buildings to be constructed using climate-proof materials and the maintenance of existing drainage systems prioritized.
A Global Leader in Adaptation
Botswana’s climate plan stands out for its emphasis on adaptation, setting a precedent for other developing nations facing similar vulnerabilities. The country’s detailed approach, including specific adaptation targets, is expected to shape discussions at the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil, where nations will work to establish a “Global Goal on Adaptation” to track progress in building resilience.
African climate negotiators have hailed Botswana’s approach as a model for the continent. Fatuma Hussein, a Kenyan negotiator, described the plan as “realistic and commendable,” emphasizing that low-emission countries like Botswana should focus on adapting to the harsh realities of climate change while simultaneously promoting renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
Calls for Continued Global Support
Julius Mbatia, another Kenyan climate negotiator, noted that vulnerable countries like Botswana must have their voices heard in the global climate conversation. He called for stronger international support to help developing nations achieve their climate goals and ensure that adaptation measures are properly funded.
Botswana’s climate action plan, while ambitious in its focus on adaptation, serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need for a balanced approach to climate change — one that both mitigates emissions and strengthens resilience in the face of increasingly unpredictable climate impacts.