Background
In 1991, the Directorate of the Environmental Affairs (DEA), of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), through a mandate authorized by Cabinet was made responsible for the prudent management of the Namibian environment. Through the DEA, Namibia prepared and submitted its "Green Plan" to the UNCED conference in 1992. This plan proposed to accomplish a number of actions to protect the environment while ensuring economic development and social progress.
It was recognized however that the government did not possess the resources required to fulfil all the actions necessary to achieve the objectives of the plan. An alternate source of financial resources to complement government's resources was required. Government and its partner agencies decided to establish an environmental trust fund and so the idea of the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) was born.
The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) is a fund created by Act 13 of 2001 of the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia with the overall aim of continuing this great legacy by supporting individuals, projects and communities that ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.

Managing for the future
As a developing country, Namibia is heavily dependent on natural resources for our economic development through mining, fishing, farming and tourism. Yet many Namibians do not benefit directly from these natural riches. One of our priorities is to address this skewed access. The goal is to have a more inclusive approach, and to regulate the use of natural resources to prevent wastage, inefficiency and degradation.
The EIF was officially launched in 2012 and is currently funded by a Government allocation with the mandates to tap on local conservation fees and environmental levels. These funds will be used to invest in the protection and wise management of the environment, promoting sustainable use of natural resources for economic development, and conserving biological diversity and ecological life – support functions.
The EIF is building a sustainable fund that supports a variety of new and existing initiatives in the country. In doing so, we create partnerships with NGOs, Government, community – based organisations and the business community to ensure that our projects are well–positioned in the socio – economic and environmental tapestry of development, and to guarantee the buy–in of our local and international stakeholders.

Vision
A recognized leader in the development and application of innovative financing mechanisms to support environmentally and technologically sound development in Namibia 

Mission
To promote the sustainable economic development of Namibia through investment in and promotion of activities and projects that protect and maintain the natural and environmental resources of the country.

Objectives
The EIF has been established to:
-mobilise funding for the maintenance of an endowment fund that will generate income in perpetuity, and;
-allocate this income to activities and projects, which promote the sustainable use and efficient management of natural resources for the benefit of all Namibians.