Energy decarbonization and just transition in Africa.
The concept of a just transition entails a framework where there is the facilitation of equitable access to the benefits and sharing of the costs of sustainable development to meet the livelihoods of every population. This concept resona…
The concept of a just transition entails a framework where there is the facilitation of equitable access to the benefits and sharing of the costs of sustainable development to meet the livelihoods of every population.
This concept resonates well with the Paris Agreement’s principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities for tackling climate change. Energy decarbonization is one of the ways in which climate change mitigation actions are based on. It refers to a process of reducing carbon intensity, lowering the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels.
Sustainable development goal one is based on poverty eradication, goal 7 is on affordable and clean energy (goal 7), and goal 13 is based on climate action and it is important for every country to meet these goals. Across the world, 750 million people lack access to electricity, and 600 million people in Africa and many more are living in poverty. Thus, what will energy decarbonization mean to Africa in line with phasing down the utilization of fossil fuels in the process of transitioning to clean energy and meeting sustainable development goals?
Africa has large deposits of fossil fuels and these account for 9.5%, 8%, and 4% of the total proven reserves of crude oil, natural gas, and coal in the world. Surprisingly, the same continent with large endowments of fossil fuels that can help in the generation of electricity is mired in energy poverty. The continent faces low access to modern energy, insufficient energy infrastructure, low efficiency, and institutional and technical capacity to use fossil fuel energy resources.
The trends show that Sub-Saharan Africa alone has a total of 31% population that has access to electricity with only between 6% and 14% electrification rates in both rural and urban areas. Besides these percentages, fossil fuels are the main sources for the generation of electricity (for more than 80%) and revenue flows.
In Libya, exports in oil generate government revenues for about 50-80%. This is the same for Nigeria and Angola. In Algeria, exports in gas contribute 60% of government revenues. The Paris Agreement `speaks to the need to keep global warming below 2 Degrees Celsius, while this also applies to African countries, it is important to note that African countries cannot stop at once the utilization of fossil fuels due to the opportunities they provide.
African continent alone emits low carbon dioxide at below 4% and with this lowest level, the continent should slowly phase down its fossil fuel utilization and play its role in energy decarbonization. This is in line with COP 27 whereby countries should implement mitigation and adaptation actions for climate change. The energy security that should be accorded to everyone is not there in Africa, thus allowing African countries to utilize fossil fuel energy before they fully establish clean technologies is a way to go for a just energy transition.
Africa is also the most affected continent due to climate change impacts. It is experiencing temperature increases of 0.7 degrees Celsius due to global warming. Although Africa has to play its role in reducing the impacts of climate change that manifest through global warming, droughts, and other impacts, the support of developed countries is needed.
This is in line with the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Pact which requires developed countries to provide climate finance to help developing countries in mitigation and adaptation actions. Africa alone has not yet reached the level of providing the needed capacities to tackle climate change impacts and the concept of paying for loss and damages should be seen in action through climate finance contributions from developed countries.
Energy transition is here to stay and fossil fuels will play an important part in the transition. In the process of phasing down fossil fuels in Africa, there is a need to enhance energy decarbonization by introducing technologies that remove greenhouse gases in the air. The current use of fossil fuels needs to be done in a clean way that facilitates safe environments. Africa should not entirely attach itself to fossil fuels use as this will pose a risk in the energy transition.
Among other ways in which Africa can use energy decarbonization for a just transition is the use of carbon market credits. These would work in pricing carbon and incentivizing polluters to reduce their emissions. The revenues that are received through carbon markets will also be important for job creation thereby helping in meeting the sustainable development goals of ending poverty. Cooperation through partnerships between the government and the private sector is also an important mechanism for developing countries that lack capacities in facilitating energy decarbonization. In the process of transitioning, green hydrogen and solar energy are all sources that can help in energy decarbonization through energy substitution.
In conclusion, African countries should guard against locking themselves to fossil fuels utilization due to large endowments that are found in the continent, instead, they should look for investments and create policies that can improve energy decarbonization for just transition through renewable energies.