Great debates are taking place at this 28e edition of the United Nations conference on climate change being held in Dubai. For the first time, discussions mainly focus on the place of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) in the energy mix.
It is appropriate to place this issue at the heart of the commitments to be made during this conference. Fossil fuels still represent more than 80% of global energy production, the same proportion as… three decades ago! And they alone are responsible for more than three-quarters of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. So it’s high time to talk about it.
Another issue should not be avoided however: support for developing countries, particularly those in Africa, for a carbon-free economy and adaptation to the effects of climate change.
Why Africa? The continent’s population is expected to almost double in just 30 years, from more than one billion to more than two billion people. It is also the continent that is most severely affected by the devastating effects of climate change. Nine of the ten most vulnerable countries on the planet are located there: Chad, the Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Niger, Zimbabwe and Liberia.
Not without injustice, the continent only contributes 4% to global GHG emissions, even though it represents 17% of the world population. It also concentrates the largest pool of people without reliable access to energy, some 600 million.
Too little of Canada
A much-anticipated fund has just been announced for rich countries to help developing countries compensate for “loss and damage” attributable to climate. Canada responded and announced an initial investment of $16 million. This is start-up support, says Ottawa, because such a sum is far too small to have a real impact. The total funds are currently around 500 million. A drop of water in the ocean.
The continent’s financial needs in climate matters are indeed immense. Africa says it will need no less than 2,800 billion by 2030 in order to be able to respect its commitments to combat and adapt to climate change, and to invest in sustainable development projects.
In terms of energy in particular, the continent has only developed a fraction of its immense potential. For example, in hydroelectricity, the African Development Bank estimates it at 350,000 megawatts, of which only 7% have been exploited. The same is true for wind and solar power: only 1% of the potential has been exploited.
The Bank has for years been urging the international community to do much more, including the private sector, because Africa currently receives only 3% of global climate financing and this, in small-scale projects, without real impact that can support a significant socio-economic development.
For Canada, Quebec and other rich countries, it is not just charity to support these financing needs. GHG emissions know no borders. A GHG emitted in Canada or Africa is just as harmful for global warming. But above all, it is about supporting a continent which will soon be home to one in four humans and which must more than any other find the financial means to adapt to this deleterious phenomenon.