As world leaders gather in Dubai for the 28th UN Global Climate Conference (COP28), Africa stands at a crossroads. The continent is home to vast untapped renewable energy resources, yet it remains plagued by energy poverty, with 600 million people living without electricity. Meanwhile, the continued exploitation of fossil fuels is fueling the climate crisis, disproportionately impacting Africa’s most vulnerable communities.
A new report by the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT) Initiative highlights the urgent need for a paradigm shifts in Africa’s energy landscape. The report, entitled “ How A Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Can Propel Africa’s Renewable Energy Transition” was drafted to brief African policy makers, and exposes the shortcomings of fossil fuels in addressing Africa’s energy needs and the continent’s immense potential for renewable energy development.
The report also provides recommendations, solutions and a call to action for African nations to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty which has been endorsed by governments, leaders and grassroots organizations including ten nation-states from Latin America, the Pacific, the Caribbean and South East Asia such as Colombia, Antigua and Barbuda, Samoa and Tuvalu. In addition, the World Health Organisation, hundreds of health professionals, Vatican Cardinals, thousands of religious institutions, 2,200 civil society organisations, over 3,000+ scientists and academics and 101 Nobel laureates have supported the FFNPT treaty.
Despite decades of coal, oil, and gas extraction, a staggering 600 million Africans still find themselves without access to power. The fossil fuel sector, responsible for 86% of carbon emissions over the last decade, is marred by foreign ownership, draining both wealth and energy from the continent. Africa’s energy landscape stands at a critical crossroads with a need for radical transformation.
The FFNPT report not only addresses critical issues surrounding the climate crisis in Africa, presenting an insightful analysis of the challenges posed by fossil fuel dependency, but also offers a compelling set of solutions that could pave the way for a transformative and just and equitable energy transition across the continent.
Some of the Key Issues Highlighted in the Report:
1. Energy Access Deficit:
- The FFNPT report indicates that despite decades of fossil fuel extraction, 600 million Africans lack electricity, with Sub-Saharan Africa hosting 75% of the world’s population without power. The pursuit of universal energy access through fossil fuels has proven ineffective, leaving countries like Nigeria, a major oil and gas producer, with 43% of its population without grid electricity.
2. Fossil Fuel Exportation:
- According to the FFNPT report the majority of Africa’s planned fossil fuel production is earmarked for export to foreign markets, neglecting the energy access gap on the continent.
- Foreign corporations, including major fossil fuel players like BP, Total, Shell, Eni, and Exxon, own 60% of African oil and gas extraction, further siphoning wealth out of the continent.
3. Climate Impact and Economic Consequences:
- The report states that Fossil fuels are responsible for 86% of carbon emissions in the last decade, leading to a climate crisis that disproportionately affects African nations.
- Africa is estimated to lose between 5-15% of its annual GDP per capita growth due to climate change impacts, increasing government debt burdens.
Calls to Action:
The report advocates for international cooperation from country leaders and organizations supporting the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is grounded in three pillars:
1. Global Just Transition:
- Support and finance a global shift to renewables, technology transfers, economic diversification, and development alternatives.
2. Non-Proliferation:
- Cease the expansion of new coal, oil, and gas production and infrastructure to combat the climate crisis.
3. Fair Phase-out:
- Equitably phase out existing fossil fuel production to limit warming to below 1.5ºC, with wealthier nation’s leading the transition.
Despite having contributed the least to global warming and having the lowest emissions, Africa faces exponential collateral damage as a result of carbon emissions caused by the fossil fuel sector. As a result, the FFNPT report encourages African nations and leaders to join the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to unlock its future as a renewable energy giant and harness the Continents largely untapped and globally unparalleled clean energy potential.