Should Africa go “Green Green”?
So, we have COP 26 and all the key moves to end or at least reduce the use of fossil fuels, may get a much needed boost. Ironically, since COP 26, there have been nearly monthly increases in the average price of crude oil that has led to inflationary price increases globally.
Crude oil prices have varied widely over the period January 2020 to December 2021 as reported by statista from an initial high of USD 63.65 in January 2020 (the start of Covid-19) to a panicked low of USD 18.38 in March 2020 to a consistent increase peaking in November 2021 at USD 83.54.
If meeting COP 26 targets by 2030 mean cutting global greenhouse gas emissions by about 45 per cent, reduce use of coal, cut 30% of methane emissions, stop deforestation and double funding for adaptation is achieved, then the fossil fuel industry will have to keep increasing their prices to compensate for the ultimate reduced volumes. Noting further that Climate Change will require the use of carbon credits and may realistically impact these increases even further.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that total primary energy supply (TPES) is up by 65.8% since 1990 corresponding to a similar increase in CO2 emissions, while in Africa, TPES has increase by 122.8% and is also showing a corresponding increase in CO2 emissions. A question remains in relation to the TPES of both geographic locales versus their energy intensities as is indexed in the Sustainable Energy Goals (SDG’s).
Africa accounts for most of the global populations without access to electricity, noting Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia to be the top three countries. A similar pattern occurs for access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking.
With all these factors in mind, is not time for Africa to reduce reliance on imported fuels? The conversation continues. briefing@rdjpublishing.africa and of course, your comments and queries are welcome.
READINGS
https://www.statista.com/chart/2 6117/average-number-ofinternal-climate-migrants-by2050-per-region/ https://www.statista.com/statisti cs/262861/uk-brent-crude-oilmonthly-price-development/ https://www.iea.org/ https://www.iea.org/reports/trac king-sdg7-the-energy-progressreport-2021 https://www.wri.org/insights/cop 26-key-outcomes-un-climatetalks-glasgow https://www.bbc.com/news/scien ce-environment-56901261 https://www.rmets.org/metmatte rs/conclusion-cop26