Okoh, Augustine I. SadiqBenue State University, Makurdi

Introduction In 2014, global renewable electricity generation rose by an

estimated 7% (350 TWh) and accounted for more than 22% of the overall generation. OECD non-member economies continued to dominate global renewable generation, with their share increasing to around 55%. China remained the largest market, accounting for an estimated 23% of overall renewable electricity generation in 2014.

Only 7% of Africa’s renewable potentials have been tapped.

Carbon emission plays vital role in the economy Carbon-based growth for Africa will ensure transition to

middle income economy

Introd. Cont. Growth based on resources depletion is accelerating

climate risks.

Global decarbonization process insists on maintaining mean temperature within 2oC threshold.

In recognition, African Governments are developing cleaner alternatives as part of decarbonization process.

Re-engineering Africa's socio-economic space requires adequate and timely power supply.

Fossil fuel production and consumption is still very high:

58% of the population still lack access to electricity

Introd. Cont. Of this, 65% cannot access clean energy for cooking.

Traditional biomass is still vital for domestic purpose

61.2% of the population depend on biomass for total primary energy demand, excluding South Africa it is 81.2%

With BAU scenario, Africa's consumption will rise with exponential population explosion leading to between 51% -57% higher demands for biomass in 2035

Total Primary Energy Demand for Energy Sources in Africa

Source: IEA (2012).

CONCEPTUALIZATION 'Green', 'clean' or 'low-carbon' are interrelated yet different It is the sector of the economy producing goods and services with

environmental benefits Distinctive feature of 'dirty' or 'clean' energy are in the mode of

extraction and consequential pollution Clean energy is energy produced from renewable sources with minimal

impact on the environment Clean energy presupposes efficient technologies will drive markets

toward environmentally benign green development Clean Energy Transition (CET) insists on eco-efficiency and eco-

sufficiency in the production and consumption of energy CET utilizes renewable energy as its springboard CET’s primary goal is to limit waste or pollution

BARRIERS TO CET IN AFRICA Energy Poverty

Extreme poverty with over 45% living below the poverty line of $1.25 a day

Over 600 million still live without electricity

The largest population without electricity live in Nigeria, Ethiopia and the DR Congo

Though Africa is 10 times the size of India yet is sparely populated

Building electricity grids to reach families who live on $4-$5 a day is uneconomical

Barriers, cont.Biomass economy 61.2% of the population rely on biomass for

domestic purpose. Solid biofuel accounts for 81.2% of biomass

consumed Vast biomass potentials is still untapped due to the

difficult terrainPrice of renewables Prices of renewables are falling, Cost of clean energy technology is high Prices is still above what most countries can afford. Only 7% Hydropower tapped

Barriers, cont. Geothermal, wind and solar are largely unexplored Kenya boasts the largest solar rooftop system on the

continent. Example: MwangaBora solar lamps which cuts emissions Food and Biofuel Complex Paradox of promoting food crops used as feedstock in

bioenergy production. Food scarcity as potential effect of substitution of food

crops for feedstock Large scale production of biofuels cause increase in input

costs for livestock production. Global prices of food stuffs will increase altering trade

Patterns for coarse grains, oil seeds, crude and refined vegetable oils and livestock products.

Barriers, cont. Technology CET entails cutting edge technology underscores price.

Clean energy requires high skills lacking in Africa with Low adaptive capacity

Fuels Climate Change Climate mechanisms engender agro-ecological

deteriorations. Example: Kyoto Protocol mechanisms create conflict of reconciling global decarbonization goal with carbon based growth

Water and Food Insecurity Creates Agro-fuel complex with food and water security

imperatives. Example is in Mali where Jatropha competes for land and stable food crops used for biofuel production

Barriers, cont.Land use Changes Engender land grabs pushing smallholder farmers

to marginal lands thereby exacerbating degradations Consumption of forest products nearly doubled in

Africa in the last decade. Policy shortfall Policy inconsistency resulting from gaps in political

transition Inadequacies in defining green energy blueprint With the absence of blueprint sectoral policies

determine green development Prominence of captains of Industry in policy arena

Barriers, cont.

Investors' apathy resulting from:

Ease of doing business handicap

Exorbitant cost of take off of business.

Unstable political and economic terrain

Neo-Patrimonial character of the state resulting from rent seeking proclivity of political elite

Governance Deficit

Clean energy measures are not backed by enabling law

Lack of political commitment and support in framing regulatory instruments for advancement of clean energy.

Barriers, cont.Intermittency Irregularity of energy supply as the sun might be

blocked or wind not blowing Depending solely on renewable sources adds to the burden

of government who may prefer already tested and reliable fossil fuels.

Externally Driven Policy Clean energy policies are driven by international

bureaucracy Policies are weighted with external bias.Foreign Aid Terms and conditions attached to bilateral aid are skewed

toward donors. Provides commercial access to donor Generates underdevelopment in perpetuity.

PATHWAYS TO CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)

Efficiency, output, profitability, mitigation and Productivity

Clean Cities and Industries

Clean technology removes waste

Charts pathway to efficiency and effectiveness in resource use

Industries are guided by ecologically sustainable practices

Transport sector should emphasize fuel efficiency,

Stricter standards for passenger and cargo transport,

Pathways, cont. Improvement in urban transit, and Purchase of hybrid vehicles with high fuel economy.

Example: Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) of Ethiopia Private Public Partnership Investments in clean energy are still inadequate Active private investment in Small and Medium Enterprises

(SMEs) Rebranding Biomass Biomass should embrace energy efficiency for green society Reduce waste in biomass consumption Limit eco-costly inputs Biomass integrated into the national development plan

Emphasis on eco-sufficient alternatives

Pathways, cont. Power Price of photo-voltaic panel is falling daily Tap vast solar power Co-generation as cost of gas and coal generated power

are plummeting. Build on opportunities in wind, hydropower and

geothermal energy generation. Eco-tax as disincentive to limit fossil based growth, Eco-tax should shift the burden from labour to end

users and producers. Creating inventive for businesses to engage in

renewable energy

Pathways, cont.Post Paris commitment INDC is not the final word on decarbonization. 'pledge and review' regime will have a short shelf life A globally agreed 'cycles of action' to reinvigorate country

specific plan of action as solution Commitments should be for a period of 2020-2030 A separate INDC plan inclusive of adaptation is needed A phased strategy to cut emissions based on globally

applicable goal is obligatory Financial support to enhance capacity buildingAfrican-owned Political Framework Finding an appropriate energy mix policy should sustain

the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Pathways, cont. Making biomass economy work will require integrating

smallholder farmers into the new blueprint for the future. Food Sufficiency Economy model combines eco-friendly

principles of Food Sovereignty and Sufficiency Economy to set a new agenda for Africa owned green growth.

Food Sufficiency Economy Accords with Africa’s eco-biocommunitarianism world

view. Insists human ecological requirements are within

biophysical limits Ensures eco-development through eco-efficiency and eco-

sufficiency Man-nature is harmoniously interrelated.

Pathways, cont.

Steady inflow of energy is needed to sustain food production,

Sustainable use of resources is inevitable

Every society is at liberty to define and determine their food and water rights.

A convergence of principles of Food Sovereignty concept and Sufficiency Economy

RECOMMENDATIONS low carbon trajectory based on clean technology

Co-generation and self generation from biomass, solar and wind

Formulation of national clean energy strategy with the consumers as their goal.

Re-engineering traditional biomass as building block of Africa's CET

Scale-up of biomass to take care of energy market challenges.

Active participation of all stakeholders

Socially inclusive green growth

Recomm. Cont. Scale up should address peculiar needs of the poor

for food Enactment of appropriate law integrated into the

national development blueprint. Innovation of endogenous technologies Skills acquisition through capacity building Making women constituent part of Africa's clean

energy future National roadmap based on country's specific

challenges Governments' leadership role to ensure synergetic

integration of different renewables into national policy.

CONCLUSION

There is no universally accepted roadmap to clean energy future

Africa's clean energy development should be based on home grown pathway of Food Sufficiency Economy

As CET has not transcended issues of profit and shareholder returns

Market liberals are re-engineering the energy sector to capture virgin markets

Different communities have embraced clean energy technologies yet it is without government's leadership role. Nascent clean economy future is taking shape but it is on cruise control with captains of fossil industries propelling the drive towards green civilization.