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Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emission – The Implications for Africa

Aug 14, 2022   •   by   •   Source: FDC Ltd   •   eye-icon 227 views

Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are strengthening the greenhouse gas (GHG) effect, causing climate change and resulting in global warming. The data released by the Environmental Protection Agency in February 2022 indicate that 78%-80% of GHG emissions are carbon dioxide, from burning fossil fuels.⁵ The 2022 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that 10% of the world contributes over 40% of global warming. Three of the largest economies – China, the UK, and the US – collectively contributed more than 45% of the GHGs in 2021.

 

In climate change discussions, Africa can be regarded as a victim as it contributed less than 3% of the total global GHG emissions in 2021. Conversely, seven out of 10 African countries are vulnerable to climate change and global warming effects. By impact, Africa should be leading the discussion of achieving zero GHG emissions. However, the lack of industrialization and economic development in Africa calls for a review of Africa’s role in the global effort to reduce GHG emissions. 

 

Developmental Gaps in Africa 

Africa remains the least industrialized continent. This has resulted in high unemployment (specifically amongst African youth), underdevelopment and poverty. In the United Nations’ 2021 Human Development Index, 22 out of 34 countries with low human development indices were in Africa. Also, the average per capita income of African countries in 2020 was three times less than the average of European countries in the 1920s!. Natural resources and agricultural products, with little to no refinement, remain the main sources of revenue for African countries and account for more than 80% of total exports on the continent.

 

The imperative role of energy in the industrialization process, economic development, and poverty alleviation has been well enunciated in the literature. Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals identifies energy accessibility as a right of every human and as also the bedrock of economic development. However, Africa remains energy-poor. A report by the International Energy Agency on Africa’s 2022 energy outlook identifies 650 million Africans without energy, with a 60 million increase projected due to COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine war.This is over 45% of Africa’s population and will continue to result in spiraling unemployment, unstrapping poverty, and low human capital development.

 

In 2021 Africa’s energy demand was 950 Terawatt-hour, 4000 times what the world added in terms of energy generated from wind and solar in 2020.This suggests a huge gap between Africa’s energy demand and the world’s energy generation capacity from renewable sources. Moreover, industrialization and economic development remain Africa’s goals, and energy plays a central role in this. Therefore, Africa needs more investment in renewable energy sources. There is a need for huge investments in coal and gas sources of energy, which goes against the resolution of the international financial institutions to channel over 70% of energy investments to renewable and green energy sources.

 

The Role of Africa in Carbon Emission Mitigation 

Africa can play a huge role in GHG emissions reduction without distorting its development path. For the world to transit to renewable energy and achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, there will be a need for mass production of batteries, electric vehicles, and other renewable energy systems. The mineral resources deposited in Africa will play vital roles in mitigating global GHG emissions. For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s cobalt deposits accounts for 70% of the World’s Cobalt deposits, which is vital for battery production. Another resource in Africa is the Congo Basin, the world’s second[1]largest rainforest, which helps absorb 1.2 billion metrics of C02 each year. Meanwhile, Nigeria has 3% of the world’s lithium supply and 9% of the world’s titanium. These and other mineral resources that are located on Africa’s soil will play vital roles in the global energy transition. Therefore, the issue of GHG emissions needs to be carefully done without distorting Africa’s development path. 

 

Proportional Responsibility 

Importantly, Africa faces some of the most severe consequences of the world’s climate crises despite contributing the least to it. While the UK, the US, and China are responsible for more than 45% percent of the cumulative CO2 emissions, African countries contribute just 3% to the global Co2 emissions.¹⁵ Thus, making the US, UK and China significantly reduce their levels of carbon emissions will ease the burden on those nations that still need a variety of power generation methods to increase their energy access. Undoubtedly, the world is facing a climate crisis and this problem must be solved in solidarity without compromising Africa’s development. Therefore, leaving 600 million Africans in the dark is not an option. We must work assiduously to expand energy access in Africa while we avert a climate disaster

 

Implications for Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, accounting for more than 18% of Africa’s population. Yet, 95 million Nigerians are without access to modern and clean energy, and this has significantly contributed to the country’s soaring unemployment. Currently, 33.3% of Nigeria’s workforce is without jobs, making it the country with the second highest unemployment rate in Africa after South Africa. For Nigeria to tame its unemployment and poverty rate, Nigeria needs 100Twh which is far from what can be generated from renewable energy sources. Hence, there is a need for continued investment in gas and oil for the country to attain its energy needs. Discussions and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are welcome, but there is a need to tackle the problem cautiously if we are to achieve inclusive economic development. While Africa will continue to play an important role in GHG emission reduction through its provision of natural resources, the continent needs more than investments in renewable energy. Coal and gas still account for more than 60% of global energy and more than 90% of Africa’s. Africa, therefore, needs investment and development of its coal and gas sector for it to close its developmental gap.

 



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