COP27 must find a way to cut carbon while growing African economies

Averting climate catastrophe without jeopardizing economic growth and development is a key issue for African countries. Energy production and use are the biggest contributors to global warming, accounting for about two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by humans. However, electricity use and access closely correlated with economic development.

Many African countries are lagging behind in electricity production and access. Follow Energy Progress Report, by 2020, the 20 countries with the lowest electricity access rates are all in sub-Saharan Africa. For example, only 7% of the population in South Sudan and 11% of the population in Chad have access to electricity. Even among the most populous countries in Africa, access to electricity remains limited – 55.4% and 51.1% of the population of Nigeria and Ethiopia, respectively. correspondingelectricity is used.

To bridge these gaps, energy needs on the continent is is expected to grow 60% increase by 2040.

Enough energy is necessary for most economic activities. Coal, oil and nature Air generated a significant amount of energy production during the industrial revolution. This leads to improved human health and well-being. Cost savings and abundant energy are key drivers of economic growth.

African countries will find it difficult to develop their economies and pull people out of poverty if they do not take advantage of their abundant energy resources. For example, Africa holding The remaining 13% of the world’s renewable gas resources.

Thus, a global effort to reduce the use of these resources is a barrier to Africa’s growth, unless there is sufficient funding to fully transition to renewable and sustainable fuels in Africa. scale needed to support economic growth.

Africa’s Challenges

In the past few yearsThe West has been taking a rather coercive approach to decarbonization in Africa — the removal or reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) inlet to the atmosphere. It has cut financing for gas and coal power projects in Africa, while pursuing new gas and coal contracts of its own. In addition, an analysis by the International Renewable Energy Agency shows globally minimal renewable energy investments in Africa (only 2% of all renewable energy investments in the world) over the past two decades.

Without Western backing, Africa’s energy decisions could be based solely on resource abundance and cost effective. This could lead to further dependence on fossil fuels.

Global environmental issues such as climate change require cooperation at the local, national and international levels. Western support for Africa is essential to align global decarbonization goals with regional realities.

Without support to maximize available resources, economies of scale, cost-effectiveness, capacity building, and the potential to provide electricity to large numbers of people, then focusing solely on energy Reconstruction would be unfair and impractical for Africa.

Only electrification in a world without networks

Mine research benefits focus on energy production and sustainable development. The need to invest in sustainable, alternative fuels to meet projected demand is critical.

One of the key challenges at COP27 – the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2022 – will be to agree on who will decide when and how countries must move to net zero emissions. Simply put, net zero mean cut greenhouse gas emissions as close to zero as possible.

Conversations at COP27 should focus on Africa’s interests to promote a “fair transition” for all. An equitable transition is one in which the economic and social opportunities of climate action are maximized, while the challenges – such as an unequal distribution of benefits and costs equals – is minimized.

Africa bear impacts of climate change without being responsible for them. Here weaken opportunity to create a fair energy transition for all with a fair share of climate responsibility.

The negotiations must find ways for Africa to provide electricity to enhance its economic standing, while at the same time relying less on toxic fuels.

Administration

Deep and unreal world decarbonization targets are paramount to combating the climate crisis. However, the speed and method of achieving them could come at the expense of leaving millions in the dark with little access to electricity.

One new polycentric model of international climate governance is necessary. The old one resembles an era of decentralization and concentration of power in fewer countries. This leads to a lack of cooperation at the international level.

The multi-centre model can help facilitate understanding of the need to improve access to electricity while mitigating the climate crisis. This model of cooperative governance can correct past unfair distribution of benefits and costs by implementing three key principles:

• Let those affected by climate change decide when and how to transition to net zero emissions.

• Replace the principles of hierarchy (or “double standards”) with collaborative and multicentric approaches.

• Make autonomy and partnerships the backbone of decentralized international cooperation.

COP27 should accept the view that the decisions that shape the lives of Africans must be shaped by Africans.

People affected by climate change should decide when and how to move to net zero emissions. Autonomy and partnership should characterize international cooperation.

Energy Solutions

Renewable energy – such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power – is an attractive option. In Africa, women and children die for household air pollution due to dependence on wood, charcoal or coal as an energy source. Citizens are continue to be affected by forced displacement that occurs in response to fossil-based large energy infrastructure, such as power generation stations.

A shift away from these practices will enable a more human-centered clean energy future. There is an opportunity to bypass a centralized energy system based on fossil fuels. Instead, it could be based on renewable energy, delivered through small grids. If done right, this could provide full electrification without the cost of creating coal or natural gas power plants. Some of these power plants will be stuck in the process of moving away from fossil fuels anyway.

The road to electrification

Working together to balance clean energy and electrification in Africa will be a gradual process. The key enabling factor in this process is finance. Financing is needed for new technologies, resilient infrastructure, and capacity building.

COP27 is Africa’s turn to chart this path.

This article was republished from Conversation under Creative Commons license. Read original article.