Page 7 - GLNG Week 46 2022

GLNG COMMENTARY GLNG

“This assessment comes at a timely moment, He noted that even if Africa were to triple its
as COP27 is focused on implementation,” said gas production, its contribution to global emis-
Måns Nilsson, Executive Director, Stockholm sions would only rise by 0.67%, he said.
Environment Institute (SEI). “Through this Put simply, Africa would be able to have cre-
report, African governments, the private sec- ate the most economic impact on people’s lives
tor, non-governmental organizations, and local for each unit of gas used, lifting people out of
communities now have the scientific evidence poverty and driving economic growth.
on different options for action that can enable Meanwhile, the AfDB, the continent’s multi-
the continent to meet its development objectives lateral development bank (MDB) is seeking to
while mitigating pollution and GHG emissions,” raise $25bn billion through its African Adapta-
he added. tion Acceleration Program, the biggest yet by any
Indeed, the report warned that without action MDB, Adesina said.
to tackle pollution, greenhouse gas emissions While most of this is being invested in green
will triple by 2063, causing a ripple effect. Out- project, gas still has its place. On the other hand,
door air pollution will get worse, causing about the bank has already divested from coal projects
930,000 premature deaths per year in 2030 and and has urged Africa not to fund any more coal
about 1.6mn premature deaths per year in 2063. mining ventures of coal-fired power projects.
Without action, pressures on resources, the His comments come as reducing the use of
environment, and human health could increase fossil fuels and cutting emissions are the two
inequalities and limit Africa’s ability to achieve methods to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees
sustainable development. Celsius above pre-industrial average
On the other hand, climate campaigners said
Historic emissions that any gas development would lock Africa into
However, Adesina’s argument is not totally at using fossil fuels for many years, holding back
odds with the UN’s pollution warning. effort to fight climate change and to meet the
He made the point that Africa is not responsi- Paris goals.
ble for historic CO2 emissions or for the current Greenpeace Africa said that Africa had 60%
climate crisis. of the world’s solar power potential, but only
Since the industrial revolution, developed 1% of global installed solar capacity at present,
countries have emitted around 2,400bn tonnes stressing that Africa offered vast untapped solar
CO2, leaving only around 400bn tonnes left in potential.
the global carbon budget if the world wants to “Fossil fuels must be phased out; they must
hit its temperature goal, Adesina said. be kept in the ground. Africa’s backyard will not
“And so Africa, that did not really emit, become Europe’s forecourt,” Greenpeace Africa
should not now be penalised for not even being said in a statement.™
able to use a little bit of gas to complement its
natural resources.”

Week 46 17•November•2022 www. NEWSBASE .com P7