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According to the authorities, Namibia's management procedures do not conflict with the State's commitment to efficiency as the Ministry is committed to observing the principles of optimum sustainable yield in the exploration of marine resources. Namibia's management style is a model to many countries, attested by the Ministry being awarded for best practices by the FAO and other institutions. The Government is obliged to promote and regulate responsible and sustainable development and management of all harvesting activities that target marine resources.

Namibia had a forest area of around 7.3 million ha in 2010 (down from 7.7 million ha in 2005), 8.9% of its total land area; it had about 8.3 million ha of other wooded land (8.5 million ha in 2005). Namibia's forests contain 210 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass (221 million metric tons in 2005). Namibia has some 1,066 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles, of which 4.5% are endemic and 3.1% are threatened.

The MAWF (Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry) has developed a Forest Research Strategy for Namibia (2011–15) to address issues associated with sustainable forest management (SFM), chiefly the key drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, and core SFM issues such as natural and artificial regeneration (tree planting) of commercially exploited species. Linked to these is also the issue of value addition to forest products, which are currently performing below their potential. The strategy document has identified seven strategic forest research areas: a vegetation (forest and rangeland) monitoring programme; forest products (value added) research; ecological studies; growth and yield studies; silvicultural research; economic, policy and sociological research; and management of information.

The Government has, through the MAWF, introduced a new policy direction to promote bush utilization, tree planting, commercialization of various forest products, and orchard development. Despite the environmental limitations of a dry country such as Namibia, the policy direction gives scope for research to improve the management of trees, woodlots and forests and to add value to already known products and bring new products to market.

(...) In accordance with the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act (No. 33 of 1992), all mineral rights are vested in the State. The Act is currently under review to align it with the Environmental Management Act. (...)

MME (Ministry of Mines and Energy)'s Strategic Plan 2012/13 to 2016/17 includes initiatives to amend the mining regulatory framework, promulgate the Earth Science Professions Bill and amend the diamond legislative framework. Other strategic targets include creating a conducive investment climate, educating communities with regard to geo-environment, mining and energy, promoting beneficiation of minerals and increasing the participation of Namibians in the mining sector.

(...) Epangelo has concluded MOUs with Angola's Ferrangol for development cooperation in the prospecting and mining of certain minerals in Namibia and Angola, and with China's Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology in Mineral Resources to ensure sustainability in the field of mining, and to identify opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation and investment flows.

The Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) came into force in February 2012. The Act sets the standard for sustainable environmental practices by all companies and individuals operating within the country. Under the Act, the Minister of Environment and Tourism may specify that certain activities may not be conducted without an environmental clearance certificate. Mining and quarrying activities (including the refining of gas, oil and petroleum products and nuclear reaction, mining or extraction of natural resources) all require a certificate. In case of failure to comply, offenders may be liable to a maximum fine of N$500,000, imprisonment for a maximum period of 25 years or both.

The Regulations published in accordance with the Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) list activities that require an environmental clearance certificate. These include the construction of facilities for the refining of oil, gas and petroleum products, any resource extraction, storage and handling of petrol, diesel and liquid petroleum, and construction of facilities for such storage and the construction of oil pipelines. All persons undertaking a listed activity in terms of an authorization issued before the commencement of the Act may continue with that activity for one year. Beyond that, a new clearance certificate must be applied for. Fees payable are as follows: issuance of an environmental clearance certificate (N$300); amendment of an environmental clearance certificate (N$300); application for transfer of environmental clearance certificate (N$1,000); appeal application (N$1,000).

(...) Although imports of petrol and diesel are duty free, various taxes are applied. A fuel levy of N$0.10 (both types of diesel) and N$0.12 (petrol) per litre is used to fund the Road Administration Fund. A carbon emission levy is currently under discussion.