The consulting arm of Namibia Nature Foundation
"...to promote and implement the three pillars of sustainable development while providing efficient and cost-effective solutions"
Who we are?
Environmental Services comprises a team of people with expertise and practical experience in the field of sustainable development. The organisation exists within the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), which was established in 1987. Environmental Services is based in Windhoek, the capital of the Republic of Namibia, although projects are not restricted to this area.
What is our aim?
The primary aim of Environmental Services, according to our mission statement, is to promote and implement the three pillars of sustainable development (social, biophysical and economic), while providing efficient, cost-effective solutions for our clients that take into account current 'best practices'.
Environmental Services specialises in balancing local socio-economic, political and ecological priorities for individual development projects. In recent years, local and international companies have become more aware of meeting sustainable development criteria and the legal requirements necessary to conduct business in a way that addresses current 'best practice'.
Environmental Services ensures that these criteria and requirements are met by conducting all types of environmental studies, including Environmental Impact Assessments that focus on assessing the environmental risk, evaluating the remedial options and suggesting the implementation of pragmatic solutions. The organisation also specialises in environmental and natural resource studies, social and institutional assessments, and the monitoring, evaluation and auditing of environmental performances.
Other aspects of our expertise include:
- Management and administration of EA projects, studies, evaluations, monitoring and audits;
- Specialist teams comprising individuals who are specifically suited to individual projects;
- A sound understanding of the Southern African environment, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development;
- Working relationships with a wide range of southern African government institutions, donors, NGOs, community-based organisations and private sector businesses;
- Good networking with regional and international organisations;
- In-depth knowledge of EIA approaches, both southern African and international;
- Knowledge of international legislation and environmental 'best practices';
- Close links with development priorities and processes in southern Africa.
What have we done?
Some projects conducted by Environmental Services include:
- Preparation and execution of the environmental and social assessment of the World Bank/GEF Project entitled 'Integrated ecosystem management in Namibia through the national conservancy network'
- Development and implementation of Environmental Management Plans and Strategies focusing on exploration and mining activities, for example:
- Update of Environmental Assessment and Environmental Management System for upgrade of infrastructure at Navachab Mine, Karibib, Namibia
- Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan for current and proposed mariculture projects within Alexkor Mining Area, Alexander Bay, Republic of South Africa
- Review and implementation of Environmental Assessment and Management Plan for Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation, Namibia
- Leadership and design of a national conservation and environmental strategy for Mozambique
- Review and design of an environmental fund for Mozambique, with particular reference to a grant-making programme to support civil society, build capacity and address sustainable development issues
- Design of Environmental Development Programme for the East Coast of Sri Lanka
- Strategic review of Namibia's Green Plan, and inclusion of environmental and sustainable development aspects within Namibia's second five-year National Development Plan (NDP 2)
- Review and preparation of Namibia's national assessment for the Rio+10 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
- Critical review and analysis of the DANCED Namibia programme of support, including recommendations on possible future initiatives August 2002 June 2003 July 2004
The core team comprises five individuals with knowledge and practical experience in various areas of endeavour related to sustainable development. Because the knowledge-base of the team is diverse, the individual members compliment each other to ensure that the client receives the best possible service.
In order to work efficiently, maintain a high level of expertise and achieve cost-effective results for our clients, Environmental Services may source other specialists to join the core team to address the requirements of a particular job. These specialists may be independent consultants, or they may be affiliated to other organisations, in which case partnership agreements may be entered into with other organisations, or a consortium may be formed.
The team
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Dr Alexandra Speiser
Head of Unit - Environmental Scientist
MSc in Geology and Palaeontology from the University of Göttingen, Germany . MPhil in Environmental Science from the University of Cape Town (UCT) . Vast work experience in Southern Africa . Knowledgeable in a broad range of disciplines in the environmental field, including planning and supervision of large environmental assessment projects.
Dr Chris Brown
Ecologist and Environmental Scientist
Over fifteen years practical experience in environmental management and administration, strategic planning and development, project and programme design and liaison . Specialist knowledge in sustainable development, biodiversity, CBNRM (Community-based Natural Resource Management), desertification, natural resource management, water and wetland management, environmental policy, environmental information and environmental impact assessment.
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Uda Nakamhela
Legal, Investment and Development, Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM)
Masters of Law with a focus on international business law . Focuses on support to rural development, management and administration of funds to implementing partners, and planning for improved development services . Head of the NNF 's CBNRM programme, which focuses on social development.
Simon Mayes
Technical Training, Mapping, GIS and Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM)
Seventeen years experience in natural resource management and monitoring, mapping and GIS . Created links between high-tech methodology and practical on-the-ground applications, including community development and training . Maintain map database and dedicated GIS for conservancies . Support conservancy natural resource inventory/monitoring activities.
For further information contact:
Environmental services Unit, Namibia Nature Foundation, PO Box 245, Windhoek, Namibia. Kenya House, Robert Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia.
Tel: (+264 61) 248345, Fax: (+264 61) 248344. Email: Alexandra Speiser at amspeiser@yahoo.com or Dr. Chris Brown at cb@nnf.org.na