The proposed hydrogen development in the Tsau IIKhaeb National Park (TKNP) poses a severe threat to one of only a few global biodiversity hotspots in an arid area, and one of the largest near-pristine wildernesses on earth. The biological diversity and ecological sensitivity of the TKNP should raise red flags about any large-scale industrial development in this area. The German Development Bank (KfW) has financially supported the development of the TKNP management plan as part of its larger support programme for Namibian national parks. This investment will be virtually annulled by hydrogen development, which is strongly supported by the German government. The plans unveiled by Hyphen for the Namibian government’s current and future hydrogen development projects show scant regard for the TKNP management supported by KfW. The world currently faces twin environmental crises: climate change and biodiversity loss. The Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE) hereby joins the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in standing against any plan to mitigate climate change that comes at an unacceptable cost to biodiversity. Any hydrogen produced in the TKNP is correctly labelled as red hydrogen, since its production is likely to increase the threats to many species of plants and animals on the IUCN Red List and other endemic and lesser-known species that have yet to be evaluated. The European Union and a number of its Member States, particularly Germany, should not export the costs of their energy requirements to developing countries such as Namibia, and must take necessary precautions and due diligence prior to supporting large development projects. The hydrogen energy sector is developing rapidly and new technologies that will reduce production costs for hydrogen threaten the economic viability of Namibia’s future hydrogen exports. These risks have not yet been fully explored or articulated to the Namibian public. A full Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) must be conducted transparently and reviewed by independent experts for the long-term hydrogen development plans prior to Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for the Hyphen project. Alternative sites for producing hydrogen that support the local economy and have the potential to drive national manufacturing industries must be carefully considered within the SEA. Namibia’s energy and sustainable development needs can be met using a strategic approach that considers the full societal and ecological costs and benefits of each form of energy production. These options must be carefully studied and compared to ensure that Namibia develops a truly sustainable energy sector that minimises costs to its biodiversity and maximises benefits for its people.