Namibia’s environmental management and regulation of the oil and gas sector is overseen by a network of ministries, directorates, and statutory offices. Below is a comprehensive list of the main government managers and regulatory bodies, with a particular focus on those directly involved in oil and gas oversight.

Namibia’s environmental management and regulation of the oil and gas sector is overseen by a network of ministries, directorates, and statutory offices. Below is a comprehensive list of the main government managers and regulatory bodies, with a particular focus on those directly involved in oil and gas oversight.

Global investors are becoming more selective. European Union regulations, along with pressure from financiers and communities, mean that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance is no longer a choice, it’s the price of entry.

The European Union’s push to decarbonize its economy is one of the world’s most ambitious. For African energy producers, particularly those developing gas projects, the implications are immediate and far-reaching.

One of the most significant forces shaping global investment today is the European Union’s approach to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) regulation. These rules, once seen as purely European, are now reaching far beyond the continent’s borders. For African companies, particularly those in extractive industries, understanding them isn’t optional—it’s essential.

We are proud to announce that two of our esteemed colleagues John G. Aronson and Anthony (Tony) Paul will be presenting at the 3rd Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, taking place from 12 to 15 August 2025 in Windhoek, Namibia

Plastic pollution has escalated into a global emergency, with impacts now considered as severe as climate change. In 2021, global plastic production hit 400 million tonnes per year, yet only 9% is recycled, leaving vast quantities to choke landfills, rivers, and oceans. By 2025, projections suggest plastic waste could triple, overwhelming ecosystems and human health.

How drought and climate shocks are already reshaping food security, markets and governance in Africa and beyond.

From global food markets to local governance, climate-related disruption is no longer theoretical. It is here, it is now and it is fundamentally economic.

In the Oil and Gas sector, safety has traditionally been equated with hard hats, hazard signs and emergency drills. But the modern workplace demands a broader lens, one where employee health is treated as a foundational pillar of operational safety, not an afterthought. Nowhere is this shift more pressing, or more complex, than in frontier energy markets like Uganda and Namibia.

As Namibia develops its oil and gas (O&G) sector, local businesses will experience changes from heightened demands for standards, competition, compliance, and collaboration.

Having identified a range of significant issues facing the Namibian Government in their development of their energy sector and their economy, Future Energy Partners with their years of experience in facing these issues, provides solutions.

The recent Workplace Health Protection Conference (June 2025) delivered powerful insights into the undeniable link between health and safety in the workplace. A highlight was the Warner Lecture, “Unlocking the power of Industrial Hygiene for a Resilient and Sustainable Future,” delivered by Dr. Lali Japaridze

Future Energy Partners, Teyshas Energy and ADM — collectively known as the Deepwater Development Consortium — have identified a range of significant issues facing the Namibian Government in developing the energy sector and wider economy. Drawing on years of experience, the Consortium provides practical, evidence-based solutions to help address these challenges.

This was the 7th NIEC conference in Namibia and is one of several that happens annually around the energy development sectors.
The overall impression I got was that there is a growing sense of ‘this might actually happen!’

In the world of upstream oil and gas, securing the future begins well before the first drill bit hits the ground. Today, two forces are shaping the path to growth: a credible commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards

Energy security is an outcome from having a diverse supply, a cost competitive supply and an environmentally/ESG responsible supply. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks have come under renewed scrutiny in an increasingly polarised geopolitical landscape.

In the climate conversation, carbon dioxide tends to steal the spotlight. It’s the gas most associated with global warming, thanks to decades of focus in both policy and public awareness. But lurking in the background is a far more potent actor – methane (CH₄)

Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Central to this debate is the role of the hydrocarbon industry – coal, crude oil and natural gas -in contributing significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, hydrocarbons are not the sole culprits in this environmental crisis.

Alphaxioms and Future Energy Partners (FEP) are proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership dedicated to advancing ESG compliance and performance for organizations across Kenya and the broader East Africa region.

In our earlier blog, we discussed the retreat of major financial institutions from climate alliances like the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). This trend has only intensified, with climate policy becoming increasingly fractured across the globe.

Transparency and good governance remain critical concerns in the regions where Future Energy Partners (FEP) operates. Countries such as Namibia, Ghana and parts of East Africa occupy mid to lower rankings in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index

USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, was established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. Its primary objective is to promote global development, humanitarian assistance and economic growth in developing countries.

This roadmap outlines the key steps for developing a local content strategy that ensures long-term economic benefits across multiple sectors, not just a select few.

Future Energy Partners is pleased to announce key leadership changes within the company. After years of dedicated service, David Bamford has retired as a Director. We extend our sincere gratitude to David for his invaluable contributions, strategic insights and commitment to the growth and success of Future Energy Partners.

We believe that skills and local businesses are the most important because they are the foundations of every nation’s economy, growth and governance. If the Local Content policy is to be effective and is to be meaningful then it must increase employment and must build the capacity of local businesses.

The election of President Trump for a second term has ushered in a significant shift in the global ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) landscape. With the administration and many US states making it effectively illegal to use ESG

We have looked at Local Content issues from the perspective of the Government, of skills and local businesses and from that of international companies (ICs).
Let us look at Namibia as a case study in how to build a thriving and sustainable Local Content policy.

In the first of this series on Local Content Policy (LCP), I described how it seems obvious to demand that international companies (ICs) employ local people, use local companies, transfer knowledge and provide cash to pay for education and training of the Government’s choice.

Of all the moving parts that male up a Local Content vehicle, skills and local businesses are the most important because they are the foundations of every nation’s economy, growth and governance.

Without understanding the roots of local content issues we cannot find a path that leads us to nation building. Local content is one of the builders of that path.

Local Content Policies (LCPs) – making international companies contribute to the development of the country whose resources they are extracting – what is not to like? Employing local people, using local suppliers, buying local food, materials, equipment, vehicles – why would any self respecting international company not do that?

In 2024, the global political landscape has undergone significant transformation, with over 60 countries—representing nearly half of the global population—holding national elections.

This is an overview of global methane emissions, from which there are 4 takeaways:
1. Viewed ‘post-Covid’, global methane emissions are rising not falling.

The concept of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) priorities is increasingly shaping the way we approach global challenges. For businesses, investors, and policymakers alike, ESG frameworks provide a lens through which to evaluate environmental stewardship, social equity, and responsible governance.

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, concluded with a pivotal breakthrough: a renewed commitment to strengthening climate finance for developing nations.

Plastics have become a significant issue, not just for consumers but for companies, spanning production, recycling, and environmental impacts. While we can’t eliminate plastics entirely, it’s critical to limit their use to essential applications and eliminate unnecessary items,

The UK’s North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has recently published its review of 2023 flaring and emissions performance(1) together with a helpful ‘dashboard’(2) which offers details, with some very useful cross-plots.

Anaerobic Digesters(ADs) are seen as a relatively new, ‘green’, renewable energy source (of methane) which we review in our latest report. Key takeaways are:

Future Energy Partners (FEP) recently hosted a comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) training program for LEAD (League of East African Directors) from 27 – 29 August 2024 at the Sheraton Hotel Kampala.

The apprenticeship system creates a workforce to support the growth of the economy of a nation. Its goal is to build the capacity of the engines of economic growth – education and industrialisation.

Landfills are an eyesore, attractive only to seagulls, and – as we document in our new report – unpleasant (at least) for our environment.

Our new report leaves little doubt that there are significant volumes of methane emissions from the U.K. and EU gas grids that as yet go largely unmonitored, unmeasured and unreported, both by asset and by operator.

The Tilenga project, located in Uganda’s Buliisa and Nwoya districts near Lake Albert, is operated by TotalEnergies in partnership with CNOOC and UNOC. The name “Tilenga” combines the local names for the Uganda Kob: “Til” in Acholi and “Engabi” in Lugungu. This project involves developing six oil fields.

This is a message that relies quite a bit on my personal experiences, I apologise for that!
My argument is that we have arrived at a somewhat ‘settled science’ for subsurface technology, in particular for Exploration

To celebrate US Independence Day, Thunder Said Energy (TSE) aka Rob West produced a very insightful analysis of global emissions performance as compared with the US’s US: CO2 emissions 

This graphic is a detailed summary of a recently concluded EMPIR project “Decarbonising the Gas Grid”, co-funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the EMPIR Participating States. This is a verbatim description of the intent:

The European Union has reached a provisional agreement on its slowly emergent emissions legislation, which aims to reduce carbon emissions from its domestic industries. To protect these industries from higher carbon regimes elsewhere….

Landfills are a major source of methane because organic waste such as food, garden waste etc goes into landfills; when a landfill is ‘capped’ with a membrane and/or a thin layer of clay, this organic waste enters an anaerobic state and generates methane.

Sub-Saharan Africa is a region rich in natural resources, particularly oil and gas. However, it is also a region that faces significant energy poverty.

The recent history of flaring and methane emissions onshore U.K. is a microcosm of the global pattern – either flatlining or going up!

In April 2024, a group of esteemed directors gathered at the Sheraton Hotel Kampala for an insightful Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) training session.

Robert Bryce has published an interesting review on actual trends in world energy consumption and I make no apologies for using one of his informative charts to start my short article.

We are hearing quite a lot nowadays about the significant amounts of CO2 that it’s planned will be tackled by Carbon Capture & Storage – around 10 million tonnes per year per project seems like a common number.

It’s well known that Waste Management – which includes landfills, anaerobic digesters and water treatment – is a large source of methane emissions.
Thanks to Climate Trace, we now have compilations of what’s been Reported by year in this sector.

For the past three years, my trusty VW Passat has been my faithful companion on the roads. It’s comfortable, a joy to drive, and has served me well. But lately, I’ve been contemplating a change. As I consider my next car, the allure of electric vehicles (EVs) beckons.

CATF reports that oil and gas imports to the European Union expose nearly 10 million people to the avoidable practice of flaring, which is known to release high levels of harmful chemicals. Through a strong methane import standard, the EU can dent global flaring emissions and decrease the health risk of nearby populations.

Experienced boards can bring valuable levels of industry expertise to a company but they can also carry the baggage of outdated ideas. Selecting and training a balanced, future-thinking board is key to a company’s triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit.

The rise of ESG in the last decade only solidifies the importance to companies of assembling strong boards, putting in place responsibilities and benchmarks, and reporting on their practices.

Britain’s journey towards net zero is a narrative rich with milestones and declarations of environmental leadership.

The energy landscape in the Caribbean has been a tale of pioneering discovery, peak production, and subsequent decline, interwoven with the potential for revival through strategic regional cooperation.

JP Morgan hosted their annual London Clean Tech Stars conference on 6-7 March 2024. This brought together the most innovative first movers in the decarbonisation space.

On Thursday 22 February 2024 Karl Jeffery, Publisher of Carbon Capture Journal, facilitated an online webinar exploring the developments in US carbon capture and storage.

Investing in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology presents a significant opportunity for reducing carbon emissions, particularly if investors are confident in the technology’s scalability and the timely, budget-compliant construction of facilities.

Future Energy Partners provides Training and ISO standards implementation services to companies irrespective of the sector and size as well as second-party audits in preparation for ISO Certification.

Many people are relying on emission trading schemes to make carbon capture and storage commercial, but it may never be enough to justify CCS investment by itself.

The top priority for any country developing new hydrocarbon reserves will probably be to get revenue and jobs as fast as possible.

‍Let’s imagine that the future is like this. Quality data about emissions is shared within our organisations as much as we share financial data. The reliability of the emissions data is as good as financial data.

If you want to improve your internal capability for gathering and reporting carbon footprint data, it may be helpful to see how your competitors look like from outside.

To gather useful data, we have drilled into the Flaring & Emissions Reporting and Plans for: 10 Majors (to be reported on shortly) and 12 E&Ps, namely Aker BP, Diversified Energy, Energean, Enquest, Harbour Energy,

Future Energy Partners can run workshops for your company to help you determine which emissions are material in your footprint, how to put together your model to measure / assess / reduce them, how to provide evidence to banks and others,

Oil and gas buyers are increasingly being asked for carbon data from their lenders / investors and for their own environmental reporting,

The South American country of Guyana started producing oil in 2020 and production is expected to be 750 kbopd by 2025. With a population of just 800,000