Green Economy and Climate Mitigation: Topics of Relevance to Africa

Chapter 11 - Looking ahead Africa’s future in a green global economy

Green Economy and Climate Mitigation 251 11 Introduction There is no doubt that African governments need to pay particular attention to the demands of the current and future green global economy. Such an economy is mainly driven by the desire to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. Although Africa currently contributes less than 4 per cent of total global GHG emissions, its future growth trajectories reflect a path that will demand more energy, particularly from dirty sources that power energy-intensive industries in mining and manufacturing. The continent is also thirsty for resources, which, when exploited, will significantly contribute to higher GHG emissions in a few decades to come. From the continent’s perspective, South Africa is among the top 15 GHG emitters in the world. Other potential growth hubs with a potential for significant GHG emissions include Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, Kenya, Ghana and Egypt. Africa’s growth potential also draws heavily from agriculture, a sector that contributes significantly to GHG emissions. If not checked, continued GHG emissions in Africa and other developing regions will result in further degradation of the environment through global warming, which leads to climate change. To this end, this book makes a call for responsible African governments – governments that will address poverty and inequality while taking responsibility in Looking ahead Africa’s future in a green global economy Godwell Nhamo and Muchaiteyi Togo 252 Green Economy and Climate Mitigation Looking ahead the areas of climate mitigation within their common but differentiated responsibilities and capabilities. Such a move is necessary in order to divert unnecessary future potential trade wars linked to the need to protect the environment. The rest of this chapter is divided into three parts. The first part summarises the contents of the book; the second presents a synopsis of the practical ways in which Africa can take part in the green economy and climate mitigation without curtailing its developmental agenda; an the third and last section outlines pointers for further research. Key Topics Addressed in This Book The book addressed a number of topics that were deemed to be of great relevance to Africa. Clarity was sought on the concept of the green economy and how this relates to sustainable development. The book argued that the green economy presents an opportunity and a channel for implementing sustainable development. Sustainable development, although acknowledged to represent a shift from purely economic-based development models, is nevertheless criticised for being a contentious and contested concept which can be manipulated to be anthropocentric in focus. This is despite the fact that there are arguments that emphasise the interpretation of sustainable development within a holistic approach that emphasises the interrelationships and inextricable linkages among social, economic and ecological dimensions. The authors support the view that the green economy should not be viewed as a substitute for sustainable development. Instead, the green economy was presented as one facet, among others, through which sustainable development can be implemented. The green economy, the book concluded, centres on the transition to a low-carbon economy, in which the desire to address the negative impacts of climate change is key. The book acknowledged that the green economy presents both risks and opportunities for Africa, and the continent must take advantage of the opportunities presented. Central to the green economy and climate change mitigation is environmental financing. Following the 2008 global economic crisis, green global stimulus packages emerged as part of the economic stimulus packages that were meant to revive the global economy. The stimulus packages gave birth to and are recognised for strengthening the concept of the green economy. Key industrial sectors targeted by the packages were identified to be the energy sector (especially renewable energy), transport and smart grids. There is still no formula for implementing Green Economy and Climate Mitigation 253 Godwell Nhamo and Muchaiteyi Togo green stimulus packages and in countries that have so far been involved, these have taken various forms. However, some of the stimulus components may not be sustained in the long run (e.g. subsidies); neither can development be based on green initiatives alone. In Africa, there has not been much involvement in environmental financing, but the continent is well placed to draw lessons (especially in terms of opportunities and challenges) from the experience of other nations worldwide. For Africa to benefit more from the...