Botswana faces significant climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, severe droughts, and increasingly erratic rainfall, threatening water security, biodiversity, economic stability, and overall socio-economic development. The agricultural sector, vital for rural livelihoods, is particularly vulnerable, as seen in the devastating recent droughts of 2019 and 2024. The climate crisis also threatens Botswana’s biodiversity (including the key wildlife areas associated with the Okavango Delta and the Chobe River), as well as energy production, infrastructure, and public health. The global shift to clean technology offers Botswana an opportunity to leverage its extensive solar resources, move away from high coal dependence for energy generation, diversify the economy, create green jobs, and achieve sustainable growth.
Botswana’s Long-term Vision (LTV) aims to address these challenges in order to enhance climate resilience, food and energy security, poverty reduction, and economic diversification, positioning Botswana for sustainable, green growth, and setting the foundation for the elaboration of Botswana’s full Long-term Low Emission Development Strategy (LTS) as a response to Article 4.19 of the 9 of the Paris Agreement inviting all parties to the UNFCCC to develop long-term climate strategies.
Botswana’s LTV states, “By 2050, Botswana will be a net-zero, climate-resilient, and prosperous nation, harnessing its abundant solar resources to become a regional clean energy powerhouse. Our society will thrive with a diversified economy, empowered population, and protected natural heritage.” Botswana’s Long-Term Vision for a low-carbon and climate-resilient future sets out a bold and inclusive pathway toward sustainable development. Centered on renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, green infrastructure, and circular economy principles, the vision aims to transform Botswana’s economy and society while enhancing environmental protection. It emphasizes universal access to clean energy, low-emission transport, efficient buildings, resilient food systems, and sustainable land use, all underpinned by strong climate governance and inclusive participation. By prioritizing gender-responsive and socially equitable actions, Botswana seeks to ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind. To operationalize this vision, the country will develop a comprehensive Long-term Low Emission Development Strategy (LTS), guided by a clear workplan, a dedicated national steering committee, and robust sectoral engagement. Through innovation, policy coherence, and strong partnerships across government, private sector, civil society, and faith-based groups, Botswana aspires to emerge as a regional leader in sustainable, climate-resilient growth.
The elaboration of Botswana’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LTS) follows a structured five-step process. The immediate next steps involve approving the LTS process and formally mandating the development of the LTS elaboration plan, the Steering Committee, and the Working Group. The second step focuses on creating a detailed elaboration plan that defines timelines, milestones, and allocation of resources. In the third step, a Steering Committee is launched, comprising stakeholders from government, civil society, and industry, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. The fourth step involves establishing a technical Working Group made up of experts who will lead the in-depth analysis and drafting of the LTS document. Finally, the process enters the kick-off and implementation phase, where the Steering Committee meets to approve the LTS plan, the Working Group is officially launched, and post-launch activities include continuous analysis, stakeholder engagement, and regular reporting. This stepwise approach ensures a participatory, well-governed, and technically sound LTS development process.
Botswana’s Long-Term Strategy (LTS) process addresses critical climate and development priorities across key sectors, ensuring an inclusive, sustainable transition. In the energy sector, the focus is on diversifying energy sources through renewables and enhancing efficiency, with questions centered on reducing fossil fuel dependence. For buildings and urban development, the goal is to develop environmentally friendly and economically vibrant settlements. The transport sector targets electric mobility and improved public transport, with emphasis on infrastructure and policy support. In the industry sector, priorities include promoting energy-efficient processes, adopting clean technologies, and fostering sustainable industrial growth. The agriculture, forestry, and land use (AFOLU) sector seeks to build climate-resilient agriculture while preserving ecosystems. In waste management, Botswana aims to adopt circular economy principles, turning waste into a valuable resource. Cross-cutting issues such as water security, climate resilience, gender equality, and youth empowerment are also integral. The LTS raises key questions to guide each sector—such as how to enable policy innovation, ensure equity, and balance development with environmental responsibility. Through this framework, Botswana commits to integrated planning that supports both its development ambitions and global climate commitments.
