Linking renewables and climate change: Mitigation strategies for Africa's sustainable future

Photo Source: Muhammad Amded Hossain/Pexels

 To the African, all separate entities, each existing particulate—on their own, even—participates in a shared energy. Energy, at its proper equilibrium, holds the universe in its balanced state. Within the broader concept of sustainability, energy renewability is a key pillar enshrined under Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) which aims to also be pivotal in closing the energy access gap, particularly in the African region. This, we essentially consider the backbone to sustainable development and consumption, in that, insufficient energy supply affects all aspects of development, more specifically social, economic, environmental and most especially, the quality of life of many Africans. Renewable energy studies and exploration focuses on increasing sustainable and clean energy usage. As we seek to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and the dependence on fossil fuels on the continent, renewables become an even more increasingly important source of energy to explore. Here, ASEC discusses the connection between renewable energy and climate change, and highlights how both potentially influence climate change, especially in Africa and its regions.

As the continent’s population grows, the tendency to adopt more sustainable energy sources to build a strong and productive economic foundation coupled with people’s over-dependence on energy as a means to secure their well-being must not be overlooked. Drawing from the latest World Meteorological Organization (WMO) findings, the global mean near-surface temperatures in 2023 was 1.45 ± 12 °C, as compared to pre-industrial averages [1]. As temperatures continue to rise, fossil fuel companies continue to make record profits of trillions while being the ‘godfathers’ of climate chaos. As a continent, we must act swiftly to return to the safe operating limits of planetary boundaries [2]. Thankfully enough, the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP–29) in Baku, Azerbaijan majors on taking stock of the current global weather conditions and especially their daring impacts in developing, vulnerable countries across the African continent.

It should be maintained that countries in Africa don't have much choice between sustainable development (which cuts across the area of renewable energy) and economic growth. The two should go hand-in-hand and not be discussed in isolation; they are not opposed to each other! If anything at all, it should be acknowledged that sustainable development and economic growth are interdependent—one cannot succeed without the other [3]. In the same breath, climate change affects energy systems and energy systems affect climate change. Even with renewable sources, droughts or floods can severely affect water inflows, which can have a knock-on effect on the power generation capacity of energy production units. Similarly, the predominant use of non-renewable energy, such as oil and coal, and traditional wood-base energy, such as charcoal and biomass, increases carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change [4].

Ranked as the lowest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions compared with other continents, Africa’s increasing economic activities have added to its carbon footprint over the past decade [5]. The trend is likely to continue as African countries seek to expand energy supply to sustain increased economic production and meet the needs of their growing wider populations. To remain on the path to green growth, Africa will have to address the climate change–energy problem [4]. For a vulnerable continent that partakes in global binding agreements committing to global emissions reductions consistent with pursuing efforts to limit temperature increase to 1.5 °C, plus the heavy dependence on fossil fuels, the continent’s structural and industrial transformation is set to be affected by these global agreements on climate change in the near future [4]. Strategically, it would be most prudent to leverage the opportunity to address two fundamental energy challenges. First, achieving universal access to affordable, sustainable energy by 2030, and second, harnessing the power of renewable energy, thereby lowering carbon emissions and eventually securing Africa’s long-term success in mitigating climate change and its impacts [6].

As a think tank aiming for sustainability in all resource usage, our call to action is that, while Africa’s development partners support numerous initiatives to make renewable energy accessible and solve the climate change crisis, a broader, more joint initiative unique to each country’s needs is required. Such initiatives must take the form of a partnership built on strategic fields of action including: 1) Promoting access to renewable sources of energy, 2) De-risking private sector investments, and 3) Supporting systemic innovation [6].

It cannot be emphasised enough how tackling the twin imperatives of SDG7—having access to sustainable energy, and harnessing the power of same to contribute to global efforts in mitigating climate change in the African region—is vital. This interdependence is paramount in an exclusive way such that synergies between sustainable energy investments and climate financing at a global level are tapped into, to help the continent push its agenda for universal access to renewable energy and ultimately, combat climate crisis now and in the future.

REFERENCES

1. WMO (World Meteorological Organization). (2024).‘WMO confirms that 2023 smashes global temperature record.’ Switzerland. Retrieved November 18, 2024 from WMO confirms that 2023 smashes global temperature record.

2. Bhatti, T. (2024). ‘State of the Climate Crisis and Priorities for COP-29.’ Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad. 42 (6).

3. Nartey, L. (2024). ‘Africa doesn’t have a choice between economic growth and protecting the environment: how they can go hand in hand.’ The Conversation International. Retrieved November 18, 2024 from theconverstaiona.com/africa.

4. AFDB (African Development Bank). (2015). ‘Energy and Climate Change: Implications for Inclusive and Green Growth in Africa.’ Annual Report: 2.

5. Wakeford, J. and Urama, C. (2015). ‘Energy and Economic Growth in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges, in Jean Claude Bastos de Morais, The Convergence of Nations, Why Africa’s time is now.’ OMFIF, London, United Kingdom.

6. IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency). (2021). ‘The Renewable Energy Transition in Africa.’ Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

ABOUT WRITER

Emmanuel Bennin is a writer-poet, and sustainability advocate with a major in Natural Resources Management. Driven by his interest in climate action and ecosystem sustainability, Emmanuel's passion for researching through storytelling and advocacy drives his writing, aiming to inspire meaningful conversations that center sustainable development and consumption. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Management, He currently contributes to ASEC’s mission through research as a Sustainable Energy and Climate Resilience Intern.