President Duma Boko has reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to sustainability, climate action, and environmental stewardship, outlining a bold vision to align national development with global green standards in his state of the nation address on Monday.
“With respect to a sustainable environment, Botswana is committed to the Paris Agreement and global fight against climate change. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles will be embedded into our national development and investment architecture,” he declared.
The National ESG Strategy, expected to be completed by the end of the financial year, will form the foundation for sustainable investment and guide businesses in integrating environmental and social responsibility into their operations.
In parallel, the country is strengthening its climate finance architecture, with the National Development Bank (NDB) finalising accreditation with the Climate Change Adaptation Fund. Government is also exploring partnerships with the Green Climate Fund to unlock new financing for green infrastructure and climate-smart livelihoods.
Botswana is developing a National Carbon Market Framework, supported by the World Bank and GIZ, to position the country as a credible participant in the global carbon economy. The framework will allow Botswana to leverage its forests, wetlands and grasslands to attract investment, create jobs and empower local communities through verified carbon trading.
“Once operational, carbon markets will accelerate economic diversification, channel resources to rural communities, and generate revenue for climate adaptation,” President Boko said.
He added that government is prioritising capacity building, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to equip agencies, communities and private sector partners with the skills to develop and trade high-integrity carbon credits that meet international environmental safeguards.
Further environmental initiatives include the Protected Areas Resource Mobilisation Strategy, launched in partnership with UNDP under the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), to secure sustainable funding for conservation and park management. The accreditation of Kasane-Kazungula and Shakawe as wetland cities under the Convention on Wetlands was celebrated as a major milestone in biodiversity protection.
President Boko also highlighted the implementation of the National Human-Wildlife Conflict Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2030), designed to promote coexistence between rural communities and wildlife, while a National Anti-Poaching Strategy has been introduced to strengthen law enforcement.
“Botswana remains resolute in its commitment to sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources — guided by science, rooted in sovereignty, and enriched by the wisdom of our communities,” he stated.
To combat pollution and poor waste management, the President announced a national clean-up campaign, designating “the second Saturday of every month” as a community clean-up day. He further declared a ban on single-use plastic bags, noting that biodegradable alternatives are now available.
“The cleanliness of our environment is a personal responsibility that should be engrained in us as a habit,” he urged.
