1,720,984 research outputs found
To opt-in or to cop out: COP26 and the policy dynamics of decarbonising African cities.
Get PDFThe COP26 Glasgow Climate Pact appears to have kept alive the ambition of restricting temperature rises to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. However, developing countries must translate the agreements into specific policies and change instruments in their home countries. Carbon abatement agreements and the responsibility for financing climate change actions may be inimical to Africa's fragile economies which are often dependent on natural resources and carbon-emitting activities. The Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) helps to evaluate the policy subsystem to explain how coalitions' beliefs and resources can be channelled towards policymaking for the decarbonisation of African cities. Specifically, we use the ACF to review international cities coalitions and the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) to explore the interactions and institutional settings needed to negotiate, agree and implement the Glasgow Climate Pact for decarbonising African cities
Carbon Markets in Africa: A Justice Perspective for Sustainable Development
No full textThis study argues that carbon emissions trading arrangements in sub-Saharan Africa, and by extension the Global South, do not foster sustainable development as required under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. By applying a Rawlsian notion of justice, particularly the difference principle, and extensively analysing available research, we identify such justice concerns. We assert that to achieve equitable outcomes, carbon markets should align with the Rawlsian difference principle of justice to promote sustainable development. Furthermore, by embracing the principles of operationalisation for carbon markets, established by the PA, we argue that States in the SSA can address many of the pitfalls and injustices created by earlier approaches to carbon markets in Africa. We also contend that incorporating the interests of the least advantaged party in the carbon trading arrangement is essential for achieving sustainable development and global climate action. If the carbon market practices in SSA fail to advance sustainable development, the objectives of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement will not be realised. Adopting principles of Article 6 will accentuate justice, sustainable development, environmental integrity, and climate action in African carbon markets
Solar Urban Planning in African Cities: Challenges and Prospects
Get PDFThis chapter aims to identify and evaluate the opportunities and challenges of
solar urban planning in Africa’s cities. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, 37 publications
were selected and thematically analysed. It emerged that the vast solar energy
potentials, formalised urban planning systems, declining costs, and rising
acceptance of solar PVs are key opportunities for solar urban planning. Urban
informality, inadequate technical expertise, regulatory bottlenecks, and noncompliance
with building regulations are critical barriers to Africa’s solar urban
planning. Research on the subject was found to be limited. Studies that
explore decision support systems and strategies for integrating solar concerns
into urban planning using multi-criteria assessments will be instrumental for
realising this concept in Africa
Carbon trading in Africa: navigating the standardisation minefield.
No full textVoluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs) are expected to be crucial in the global fight against climate change. However, VCMs are complex and involve a few intricate concepts and assumptions for determining the validity of projects (project validity) to assign carbon credits (CCs) to such projects. Similarly, having been awarded either removal or avoidance/reduction CCs, projects must be verified (project verification) to ensure that they are delivering the promised emissions abatement. Thus, given the multiplicity of VCM project opportunities in Africa, the role of CC validation and verification is critical to the success and credibility of VCMs on the continent. We undertake a systematic review of existing standards to appraise their applicability to carbon projects in Africa. The review considers the contextual factors that must be accounted for to ensure that the validation and verification processes provide assurance that projects awarded CCs deliver on carbon abatement targets without worsening subsisting socio-economic conditions in project locations. We opine that the third-party verification arrangements for ensuring the integrity of VCMs must involve building capacity among Africa's project communities to help them negotiate project benefits and overcome data availability barriers
The Palgrave Handbook of Carbon Trading in Africa
No full textThis handbook provides a comprehensive guide to the economics, law and governance of carbon pricing in Africa. It explores carbon trading in Africa and sets the agenda for its adoption through robust economic policies, effective governance, contextualised policies and regulations. The specific challenges to carbon trading in Africa, the market mechanisms, laws and regulatory policies required to foster sustainable development within the continent are highlighted, with a particular focus on the energy, manufacturing and forestry sectors. The economic context underpinning carbon trading, the inclusion of Africa within global carbon trading schemes, forestry economics, the legal requirements of carbon trading, and the political economy of carbon pricing are also discussed.This book offers a practical framework for emission trading and the green transition within Africa, which brings together ideas and approaches from across economics, law, and finance. It will be relevant to students, researchers, and policymakers interested in environmental and development economics
Legal Regimes for Carbon Trading in Africa: Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement
No full textThis chapter critically examines decolonisation approaches in south carbon trading, focusing on African participation through the lens of the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. While both agreements offer mechanisms for market-based climate mitigation, they have been critiqued for reinforcing colonial power dynamics and failing to address the structural vulnerabilities of African nations. Drawing on interdisciplinary scholarship and empirical studies, the chapter analyses the limitations of current carbon market regimes and proposes a decolonial framework grounded in equity and sovereignty. It also explores emerging initiatives such as the African Carbon Markets Initiative and domestic legislation in Nigeria and South Africa, emphasising their potential to operationalise African-led climate action
Decarbonisation pathways for African cities.
Get PDFThis book examines the pathways to decarbonising African cities, structured around strategies and applications in renewable energy, waste management, healthcare, telecommunication, education and governance reconfigurations for Petro-cities. Throughout the book the authors highlight infrastructural, governance and policy approaches to drive decarbonisation. Opening with chapters focused on propositions for solar urban planning and scope for decarbonisation in waste management the book then moves on to examine innovative strategies for a low-carbon healthcare sector. The authors then discuss the use of hybrid power systems at remote telecommunication sites, their deployment on university campuses, and how this can be optimised to reduce carbon emissions. Further chapters explore government, private sector and civil society actions for decarbonising Kenyan cities and an overview of the political economic choices for decarbonising Petro-cities. Finally, closing chapters propose mechanisms for translating COP26 takeaways to decarbonisation policies and a low-carbon framework for African cities
Political-Economic Dimensions of Carbon Trading in Africa
No full textAfrican sustainable development agenda and the mitigation of climate change can immensely be supported by carbon trading. However, realizing the full potential of carbon trading requires overcoming complex political-economic challenges surrounding the continent. This chapter aims to inform policymakers seeking socially responsible approaches to establishing effective carbon trading mechanisms in Africa, and further spurs interdisciplinary research on climate justice in the Global South. The chapter provides an analytical framework encompassing four critical dimensions: distributional impacts, power dynamics, institutions, and alignment with sustainable development priorities in African carbon markets. It addresses how powerful actors and vested interest groups in the energy transition could pave ways for the effective development and implementation of carbon trading schemes in Africa. The analysis also considers how thoughtfully designed carbon markets can incentivize climate-friendly development pathways by directing finance towards clean energy and other sustainable priorities in the region
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