Lendelvo, S and Sullivan, S (2025) 'Social justice amidst climate change in Namibia’s Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme.' Namibian Journal of Social Justice, 4.
Abstract
This case study examines the intersection of social justice and climate change within the context of Namibia's Community-based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) programme. The CBNRM programme aims to empower communities living in Namibia’s communal lands by giving them the authority to manage and benefit from natural resources, such as wildlife, forests, and water. However, the study outlines several challenges that prevent these communities from fully benefiting from their natural resources. Among these challenges are the impacts of climate change, which exacerbate environmental degradation, reduce resource availability, and disrupt traditional livelihoods. Additionally, inequalities within the sector, such as limited access to markets, lack of technical and financial support, and historical land dispossession, hinder the effective participation of marginalized groups, particularly women, youth, and indigenous people, in the management of natural resources. The study highlights that these challenges have significant implications for the well-being and development of affected communities. It disrupts their ability to build sustainable livelihoods, undermines their capacity for resilience against climate impacts, and perpetuates existing social and economic inequalities. The case study offers recommendations to improve the efficacy of the CBNRM programme. These recommendations focus on addressing the barriers created by climate change and inequalities, such as ensuring equitable access to resources, strengthening the capacity of local communities, integrating climate adaptation strategies, and fostering more inclusive decision-making processes. By addressing these issues, the study suggests that the CBNRM programme can be more effective in promoting both environmental sustainability and social justice for Namibia’s rural communities.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Note: | The article is available to read at the link above. It is part of a special issue entitled 'Climate Justice and Resource Extractivism'. |
| Divisions: | School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities |
| Related URLs: | |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Sep 2025 17:45 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Sep 2025 17:46 |
| URN: | https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/17311 |
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