Yaounde — Local weather change made 2023 the warmest yr on file. As urgency mounts to deal with this worldwide disaster, phasing out the usage of fossil fuels is a needed step that every one nations should take. It’s because fossil fuels–coal, oil and gasoline — are the first drivers of the local weather disaster accounting for over 75% of world greenhouse gasoline emissions and almost 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.
Fossil fuels could be linked to extreme human rights hurt. In accordance with the International Energy Agency, there can’t be any new fossil gas tasks if international locations are to satisfy current local weather targets and keep away from the worst penalties for frontline communities. Not addressing these points can create a human rights disaster of unprecedented scale.
One other moral crucial for phasing out from fossil fuels is our accountability to communities going through loss and injury. Fossil gas tasks and infrastructure usually expose fence line and frontline communities to poisonous substances, environmental degradation, and elevated vulnerability to local weather disasters.
Africa has contributed the least to local weather change however nonetheless suffers essentially the most from its penalties. Since wealthy international locations have traditionally emitted essentially the most greenhouse gases, the objective of transitioning to renewable vitality sources is an act of accountability and justice, offering help to these most in want
Fossil gas extraction and manufacturing usually violate the rights of indigenous peoples, native communities, and environmental defenders, who face land grabbing, displacement, violence, intimidation, and criminalization. This should change.
After we take a look at the African continent, the present enhance in funding in fossil fuels will enhance Africa’s carbon emissions and lift Africa’s share of world local weather change.
In 2021, Africa contributed 3.9% (1.45 billion tonnes of CO2 eq.) of world carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and trade. Persevering with with this vitality coverage can be very suicidal for his or her future within the face of the results of local weather change.
There may be additionally an financial affect of fossil gas manufacturing too, particularly in Africa. Fossil gas subsidies and investments divert resources from addressing the wants and rights of individuals residing in poverty.
It’s effectively known that Africa has contributed the least to local weather change however nonetheless suffers essentially the most from its penalties. Since wealthy international locations have traditionally emitted essentially the most greenhouse gases, the objective of transitioning to renewable vitality sources is an act of accountability and justice, offering help to these most in want.
Fossil gas extraction results in deforestation, habitat destruction, and water air pollution, which have contributed to 1.2 million deaths in 2020, resulting in biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
Within the DRC as an example, if the peatland is destroyed by the development of roads, pipelines and different infrastructure wanted to extract the oil, as much as 6 billion tonnes of CO₂ may very well be launched, which is the equal of 14 years’ price of present UK greenhouse gasoline emissions.
Via a transition to renewable energies equivalent to wind energy and photo voltaic vitality, we will take management of the consequences of local weather change and help future technology’s sustainability shifting ahead.
Africa has large renewable vitality potential – it has 60% of the world’s best solar resources, however the continent receives lower than 3% of global energy investment.
As a area that has had the smallest affect on the local weather disaster however suffers vital impacts now and sooner or later, the worldwide neighborhood should work with Africa to spend money on its clear vitality future.
For example, Kenya is house to the Lake Turkana Wind Challenge, presently the most important wind farm in Africa. Output exceeds 310 MW–enough to energy 1 million properties.
The mission additionally attracted the most important personal funding in Kenya’s historical past, amounting to US$650 million. For Africa to attain its vitality and local weather targets, Africa wants $190 billion of investment a yr between 2026 to 2030, with two-thirds of this going to scrub vitality.
Fortuitously, some progress has been made towards ending use of fossil fuels on a world scale. Through the latest COP28 in Dubai, almost 130 nations permitted a roadmap for “transitioning away from fossil fuels“–a first for a UN local weather conference–but the deal nonetheless stopped wanting a long-demanded name for a “phaseout” of oil, coal, and gasoline.
That is what is required to transition away and assist preserve us from reaching the 1.5°C diploma restrict. One other shortcoming of COP28 is that there was neither a transparent dedication nor a well-funded phaseout of all fossil fuels, nor was there clear funding for international locations to transition to renewables and address escalating local weather impacts.
We’ve a accountability to guard future generations and help weak communities. The international locations, companies, civil society, and leaders who got here collectively throughout COP28 and made this primary step deal ought to now stroll the discuss.
I can not agree extra with UN Secretary-Basic António Guterres who said throughout COP28: ‘‘{that a} fossil gas phaseout is inevitable, whether or not they prefer it or not. Let’s hope it would not come too late.”
Being the custodians of the planet, it’s our ethical responsibility to go away a world that’s liveable for our kids and our grandchildren.
Sylvie Djacbou Deugoue is a Senior Aspen New Voices Fellow, a Coverage Advocate & campaigns Builder.
