Prelude
The COP26 conference, which took place on November 1st, brought together parties from all over the world to accelerate action towards the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change goals. As the first day’s proceedings came to a close, it was disappointing. World leaders arrived in convoys with a total of 85 automobiles, all of which had their engines running during the summit. The security protocol is essential and must indeed be followed. Still, if the pandemic has taught us anything, video conferencing meetings are just as effective as “in-person” meetings. Arriving on luxury aircraft and with massive motorcades for a group of world leaders who have gathered to discuss and assess their tactics for the battle against climate change is undoubtedly not an encouraging message for the international community.
Introduction
The Paris Agreement: Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).
The Paris Climate Agreement establishes a framework for countries to work together to avert global warming caused by carbon emissions. Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is one solution to this problem. The advantages and downsides of the Paris Climate Agreement are mostly appraised using this method. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is captured by CCUS from industrial processes or fuel burning. It is usually stored to prevent carbon from entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming. CCUS technology, according to the industry, can collect up to 90% of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel plants. [1]
However, it is essential to remember that, in reality, CCUS technologies have had little influence. This is because power plants must use roughly 30% of the energy they produce, resulting in the burning of more fossil fuels. Furthermore, there were only 24 power plants operational or in construction as of June 2020. [2] Petra Nova, the world’s largest coal-fired power station with a post-combustion collection facility, is one case. According to the estimates, it collects 90% of CO2 from a nearby coal plant. However, when the emissions produced by the capture equipment are taken into account, Petra Nova captures only around half of the CO2 emissions. [3] While this is a step forward, a shift away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources would result in even fewer emissions. As a result, it would be far more in line with the Paris Climate Agreement’s goals.
The Paris Agreement.
” The Paris Agreement provides a viable blueprint to mitigate the serious threats to our planet,” Ban Ki-moon, the former UN Secretary-General, notably declared. “It sets clear targets to restrict rising temperatures, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and facilitate climate-resilient development and green growth.” The pact was hailed as it was the first time its participants confronted climate change. Around 200 countries have ratified the Paris Agreement to combat climate change. This is a good sign that climate change is being taken seriously worldwide, particularly by more powerful countries like the United States, China, and India. At the 2015 climate change conference in Paris, COP 21, 196 countries signed the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement establishes a global framework for avoiding severe climate change by keeping global warming far below 2 degrees Celsius (2°C )and pursuing efforts to keep it below 1.5 degrees Celsius (1.5°C). It also attempts to improve countries’ ability to deal with climate changes’ effects and assist them in their efforts. This emphasises reliance on various means, including education, money, technology cooperation, and acknowledging the importance of climate action in achieving many other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [4] The Paris Agreement is thus hailed as a significant step toward bringing nations together to combat climate change.
The Benefits of the Paris Agreement
- In the fight against climate change, a united front is needed.
One hundred ninety-seven countries have ratified the Paris Agreement. As a result, the global issue of climate change has become a top priority for most of the world. Hopefully, other countries that believe the pact isn’t strong enough will recognise the available benefits and join in this united struggle.
- The Paris Agreement aids in the mitigation of global warming’s effects.
Sustainable development is a critical element of the Paris Agreement. Even if a two °C increase in global temperature does not appear to have a substantial impact, this change will provide additional resources for future generations to use. As it stands, if global warming trends continue, melting ice from the polar areas will result in rising sea levels, leading to flooding and other devastating consequences, including severe drought, especially important for Africa.[5]
- Parties are accountable to each other.
All parties to the Paris Agreement must produce national emissions reports to track progress toward meeting the agreement’s targets. Furthermore, the agreement allows for various independent evaluations of the reports to help determine the development of the countries in concern. This is done to maintain mutual trust and confidence among all parties, allowing for effective agreement execution and enhancing transparency.
- Technological Innovation is increasing.
The Paris Agreement boosted technical innovation, which is a crucial step toward finding more sustainable, climate-resilient solutions. All of these technological advancements are required if countries are to have a hope of combating global warming. ENGIE’s installation of off-grid electricity with solar panels paid for with mobile money in remote areas in three African countries is one such example of technological innovation.[6]
- Employment
The Paris Agreement has increased the number of renewable energy jobs accessible worldwide. This includes solar, hydropower, and wind energy industries, where countries are encouraging businesses to switch to cut global emissions. It is estimated that the renewable energy sector alone employed about 11.5 million people in 2019.[7]
The Paris Agreement’s Drawbacks
- It establishes distinct sets of rules for each party to the agreement.
Regrettably, the Paris Agreement establishes a system in which different laws apply to other countries. When countries like India and China signed on to the agreement, they were not obligated to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in the same manner that the United States was. Each country can select how to lower its emissions profile under the guidelines of the program specified in this agreement.
- Data on emissions reduction is not necessarily verifiable.
As required under the Paris Agreement, specific reporting techniques could lead to some countries “misreporting” their emissions. In this arena, questionable accounting is already a concern, with developing countries sometimes relying on disputed carbon reductions from land-use changes or forest preservation to accomplish their objectives.
- The Paris Agreement has a colossal price tag.
The UN Green Climate Fund was established in 2010 due to Cancun, Mexico-based negotiations. By the end of 2020, it aimed to raise $100 billion each year. Some countries, such as the United States, took the initiative and pledged $3 billion to the Paris Agreement during the Obama administration. The entity that expends these monies, on the other hand, lacks accountability and transparency. The UN Green Climate Fund, according to the Cato Institute, is a “slush fund for global dictators.”
How Does the Paris Agreement Work?
The Paris Agreement is based on a five-year cycle of countries taking progressively ambitious climate action. Countries must submit their climate action plans, known as nationally defined contributions (NDCs), by 2020.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Countries communicate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their NDCs to meet the Paris Agreement’s targets. Governments also share activities they plan to take to improve resilience and adapt to the effects of rising temperatures in their NDCs.
An African perspective on the current implementation.
African countries have decided to establish the Africa Nationally Determined Contributions Hub (Africa NDC Hub) under the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Climate Change and Green Growth Department to accomplish the Paris Agreement goals. Thus, it is meant to assist various African countries to meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement. The Hub’s main objectives are to promote long-term climate action, mobilise implementation resources, and assure coordination, advocacy, and collaboration. [8]
Background and Justification.
All attempts to manage climate change appear to have failed due to the numerous problems faced by African countries, such as limited access to various markets, extremely high poverty levels, limited ways of calculating data accessible, and a lack of record-keeping. It should be noted that all 54 nations have signed the Paris Agreement and submitted Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in compliance with its obligations. [9] The bulk of African countries have submitted INDCs, accounting for around 7.5 per cent of global emissions. Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, The Gambia and Uganda are among the countries that have ratified their INDCs.[10] While the majority of them have ratified their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), there is a widespread opinion that African countries’ INDCs were rushed and, in most cases, did not take long-term consequences on national development goals into account. As a result, they do not accurately reflect national needs and potential to contribute fully to global goals of attaining a low-carbon, climate-resilient route by mid-century. In general, African countries’ INDCs include two targets: (a) an unconditional target (roughly 15%) that will be met with domestic resources; and (b) a conditional target (which is subject to about 85 percent financial support from the international community). Unfortunately, there is almost no distinction between the above-mentioned targets, and failing to do so reduces the resources available to African countries in order to meet the set goals. Despite the creation of a global aim to achieve sustainable development, different attempts to implement NDCs have overlooked the necessity of adaptation and resilience building. As a result, efforts are made to persuade private sector investors to help with initiatives that can contribute to the achievement of the NDCs.
The AfDB Africa NDC Hub
This is a bank created to assist countries and non-state players on how they might help African countries meet the Paris Agreement’s goals. The bank will also support African states in raising funds and developing sustainable development strategies in order to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals. The Bank and its partners will work with a variety of stakeholders to assist African countries in meeting their NDCs, primarily through mobilizing large amounts of funding to support national sustainable development imperatives.[11] The Hub will ensure that NDCs are effectively transformed into bankable and implementable projects/programs that are based on rigorous analytical work and that draw on the synergies of ongoing regional, national, and sectoral efforts to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Africa NDC Hub leverages on the AfDB’s extensive experience in Africa’s development, including the management of climate programs and finances.
The AfDB Africa NDC Hub’s Objectives
1. Foster long-term climate action:- this means doing research to link country-NDCs with national development agenda, voluntary contributions, and alternatives for increasing the level of ambition required for long-term low-carbon and climate-resilient growth.
2. Mobilizing means for implementation: Finance, capacity building, technology development, and transfer are examples of mobilising resources for execution. These are crucial facilitators for achieving the Paris Agreement’s goals in the context of African long-term development. The Hub will work with global climate funds and the private sector to accommodate African NDC pledges that are both conditional and unconditional; and
3. Coordination, Advocacy, and Partnerships:- The Hub will serve as a platform for coordinating NDC support actions across the continent to make the most of limited resources.
It is self-evident that one of Africa’s significant challenges in meeting its stated INDCs is a lack of financial resources. The AfDB will assist most African countries in alleviating this strain by providing whatever funds it can to support countries with low resources, but how much money can the bank provide? It is worth noting that Anthony Nyong, the African Development Bank’s Director for Climate Change and Green Growth, has stated that for NDCs to produce effective results in Africa, the continent will need roughly $3 trillion. He also noted that these resources are required to support all countries. [12]
Where is the money you said you would give to Africa?
“We are, naturally, very disappointed by the failure of the wealthy nations to honour their commitments of making available one hundred billion dollars (US$100 billion) annually to the poorer countries to assist us in the fight against climate change, and by the unavailability of the technology transfer that will help us find sustainable ways of charting a path out of this existential crisis,” said Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo at the recent COP 26 conference. He continued by stating that: “Those same nations are, however, insisting that we abandon the opportunity for rapid development of our economies. That would be tantamount to enshrining inequality of the highest order, a totally unacceptable conclusion.”[13] The Ghanaian President points out that if the developed countries, the primary perpetrators of climate change (whose impacts are felt more in Africa than in most other locations), do not keep their promises, Africa would focus on developing itself without concern for climate change. Notably, the deadline for funding was set for 2020; however, during COP26, it was pushed out to 2023. At the same time, the statement by Anthony Nyong, Africa Director of the Global Centre on Adaptation, is essential, and he observed that, “It takes much more than just money to implement NDCs, we need a revolution in knowledge, proper planning and finances.” He further added that “We abound with adaptation solutions; what we need is scale and speed. These solutions will largely be driven by the private sector and armed with this knowledge, we will increase implementation of the NDCs through the private sector.”
OPINION
Many African countries have suffered financial losses due to the Covid-19 outbreak. As a result, African countries must raise funds to meet their NDCs. One option is to work with the business sector to obtain loans to help Africa improve its circumstances, and Ghana’s approach is vital.
Ghana’s Methodology
Ghana has taken a position in compliance with Article 4.9 of the Paris Agreement, which requires parties to provide five-year updates. In its first NDC submission, the West African country announced that by 2030, Green House Gas emissions would be reduced by 15% and conditionally reduced by an additional 30%, subject to the provision of external financial support. It was predicted that if it received financial assistance, it would reduce its GHG emissions by 45 per cent. Ghana’s NDCs indicated that financial aid must come from foreign private capital investments or bilateral and multilateral organisations (including the Green Climate Fund (GCF)). Ghana is thus working to put in place a range of mitigating measures, focusing on the energy sector, agriculture, industry, transportation, and forestry, among other things. A grant from the GCF to help some communities in Ghana’s Savannah Region adapt to the effects of climate change is one such investment. [14] Furthermore, the Cooperation Agreement agreed with Switzerland is another example of a favourable investment made by the county. [15] In accordance with Article 5 of the Paris Agreement, Switzerland will grant support to Ghana to assist the country in adopting low-carbon technological solutions.
CONCLUSION
Many African countries, in my opinion, would benefit from adopting the Ghanaian model in their approaches to climate change, as it would help achieve the NDCs and, in the long run, aid in the fight against climate change. The Gambia[16] and South Africa[17] are two additional African countries that have taken significant efforts toward achieving their NDCs, similar to Ghana’s. This could pave the way for a new level of implementation based on successful, innovative approaches.
[1] IPCC, 2005: IPCC Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage. Prepared by Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
[2] CCUS AROUND THE WORLD: https://co2crc.com.au/about-ccus/ccus-around-the-world/
[3] A Case Study of the Petra Nova Carbon Capture Project, Prepared for the CEO Council for Sustainable Urbanization by Jesse Jenkins
[4] The Explainer: The Paris Agreement, https://unfccc.int/blog/the-explainer-the-paris-agreement
[5] Article 13 of Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Dec. 12, 2015
[6] Taha Gaya. 2021. The ENGIE Acquisition: With USAID Support, an Off-Grid Solar Fenix Rises: https://www.climatelinks.org/blog/engie-acquisition-usaid-support-grid-solar-fenix-rises
[7] Renewable Energy Sector Provides Millions of Jobs Worldwide: https://knoema.com/infographics/ywbifkc/renewable-energy-sector-provides-millions-of-jobs-worldwide
[8] Africa Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Hub, African Development Bank: Roadmap and Work Programme: https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Generic-Documents/Africa_NDC_Hub_Roadmap_and_Work_Programme.pdf
[9] Decision 1/CP.19 and 1/CP.20 of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change
[10] Transitioning from INDCs to NDCs in Africa by AfDB
[11] Building Partnerships to deliver Africa’s Paris Agreement commitments: https://www.afdb.org/fr/news-and-events/building-partnerships-to-deliver-africas-paris-agreement-commitments-18900
[12] Supra 10
[13] National Statement By The President Of The Republic Of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26), In Glasgow, Scotland, On Tuesday, 2nd November 2021: https://www.graphic.com.gh/features/opinion/president-akufo-addo-s-speech-at-cop26-full-address.html.
[14] Green Climate fund approves $54.5m projects to reduce deforestation and carbon emissions in Ghana’s shea landscape: https://www.gh.undp.org/content/ghana/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2020/green-climate-fund-approves–54-5m-project-to-reduce-deforestati.html
[15] Switzerland and Ghana sign historic agreement for Climate Action: https://www.undp.org/press-releases/switzerland-and-ghana-sign-historic-agreement-climate-action
[16] The Gambia receives global recognition as the circular economy keeps the country on track to below 1.5°C: https://www.shiftingparadigms.nl/projects/blog-the-gambia-receives-global-recognition-as-the-circular-economy-keeps-the-country-on-track-to-1-5c/
[17] PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE SOUTH AFRICA’S STRATEGIC PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE PARIS AGREEMENT: https://static.pmg.org.za/210302SA_Paris_Agreement_Strategy.pdf
Kwabena's Musings 