Author : Jean-Michel Severino
Date : December 16, 2009
We have finally arrived in Copenhagen – final stop after a long series of preparatory meetings. With the Kyoto Protocol expiring in 2012, delegates are tasked with drawing the lines of a new international agreement on climate. With these negotiations, our nations are engaging in one of the most complex and determinant exercises in collective action they have had to manage in the history of international relations.
While the responsibility of industrialized countries and emerging economies in the grand battle against carbon emissions is now well known, the place of Africa in the climate agenda has been largely neglected. Sub-Saharan emissions, estimated at only 3% to 4% of global man-made emissions, are deemed of little interest. Yet Africa is central to the global environmental crisis in three important ways.
Firstly, Africa would be the first victim of major climate disturbance – with side-effects affecting the whole planet. Experts predict that the continent will experience some of the gravest changes, whereas the capacity of African societies to respond to them is among the weakest in the world. Several African countries are already experiencing reduced rainfall, soil degradation and the depletion of precious natural resources in a context where two thirds of Sub-Saharan Africans make a living from the environment. The economic, social, migratory and security impacts of this vulnerability on the rest of the world cannot be ignored, as this continent will be home to over two billion inhabitants in 2050.
Secondly, Africa is one of the important actors in the global environmental crisis. The continent saw its forest coverage fall by 10% between 1990 and 2005 – i.e. more than half the recorded global shrinkage. Furthermore, while the poorest African countries are those with the highest carbon energy content, Africa will experience by far the largest growth in energy requirements in the next 50 years. The fate of the planet will be different whether these needs are met with fossil or renewable energies. Hence, the fight against climate change will also happen in Africa.
Finally, because of its vast natural heritage, the African continent holds some of the most potent solutions to the global ecological trap overshadowing the 21st century. With 220 million hectares, the forests of the Congo basin represent the second largest mass of tropical forest in the world. At a time when global emissions are rapidly rising, this gigantic carbon capture machine is, like agricultural land, one of the essential elements of climate control. It is vital for the December agreement to recognize and promote the African contribution to the world’s delicate climatic balance. Indeed efforts to preserve these natural resources and to exploit the vast potential of the sub-continent’s renewable energies have a cost. If humanity considers the carbon storage capacity of African biotopes as a global public good, then everyone should contribute to its protection. The race against the clock has thus begun to find the mechanisms that will make this preservation possible and spark the move toward sustainable energy models.
Three promising tracks will have to materialize rapidly.
- The first consists in increasing the use of existing tools, such as Clean Development Mechanisms (CDMs) – which enable actors from the North to promote projects that reduce emissions in developing countries. Up to now, Africa has missed out on the benefits of CDMs: to date, less than 2% of these projects take place in Africa, as opposed to 73% for Asia. The continent ought to be the carbon market’s new frontier.
- The second track that needs to materialize in Copenhagen is for the carbon storage of African lands and forests to be recognized and for ‘avoided deforestation’ to be rewarded. At a time when humanity is coming to measure the value of biodiversity and the importance of land and forests in climate control, Africa has much to gain by making itself the guardian of a heritage that is essential to humanity’s survival. This is worth several billion dollars annually, which could constitute one of the essential stepping stones for economic growth in Africa in a post-petrol era.
- Finally, the “climate justice” plan sponsored by France and others in Copenhagen, which aims to increase the access of Africans to clean energy, is crucial at a time when three Sub-Saharan Africans out of four have no access to electricity. It is a question of justice. But as we have seen, it is also a question of climate regulation. Linking public and private efforts to equip 2 billion Africans with renewable energy will therefore be one of the major challenges of the coming decades.
In the past, African countries have found it difficult to make their voices heard in major international negotiations. Their decision to act as a block in Copenhagen is an important step forward. However, Africa and its partners will now have to unite to express loudly and clearly the fact that the sustainable exploitation of Africa’s vast environmental potential in the interest of all is also a stage in the critical path toward a viable climate.
JMS
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Date : March 15, 2010 13:02
Dear Jean-Michel,
Good day!
Just gone through your nice article in the context of Africa vis-à-vis climate change. In my opinion, mitigation of climate change is related to development and development is related to good governance. Ultimately, good governance is the key to the solution of many problems in Africa. Further, my comment on EVOKE blog that ‘sharing is caring’ was received enthusiastically by many. This is also somehow missing in Africa. I would like to know your reaction please. Thanks and regards.
Date : February 6, 2010 13:39
Pour que ce sommet ne soit pas biaiser il faudra prendre plus de mesure.Cela doit etre strictement protectionniste car la pollution est beaucoup plus nefaste dans les pays les moins avancés qu'au pays developpés.Moi ce que je veux en est que des décisions ne doit pas etre prise de facon uni dimensionnelle mais chacun des partis doit pendre sa part entiere.mon tel c'est 00221772754013
Date : January 6, 2010 15:12
Sans compter l'extension du sahara, mais perte de 10% de la surface forestière, c'est énorme ! C'est incroyable. Ca me rappelle en france quand on a décidé de détruire les bosquets entre les champs pour plus de facilité pour les exploiter : résultat il n'y avait plus de barrière au vent et, au final, les champs se faisaient dévaster.
L'Afrique est une des premières victimes et la dernière à polluer, c'est vraiment incroyable... Mais, il y aurait tant de choses à dire sur l'Afrique, je suis content de voir que votre organisation les soutienne. Bravo.
Date : December 18, 2009 10:20
To Mr Jean-Michel Severino
Last week I bought big Dictionary French - Vietnamese .I learned elementary French long time ago .I do hope my French will be improve later.
I think the green tree is important for CO2 emission ? And Africa are countries of sand, lack of water and desert .How the green tree can be developed in wide area ?
Vietnam and East South -Asia have more conditions for green tree and forest . Now this is time STOP destroy forest for other puposes . Same days ago we see in Central television the ideas made furniture in the house by metals with nice flowers .My mother said : is is good , tehy will not cut the tree in the forest . Now only work to made them like furniture made by metal or plastic .
You are right in Africa , develop the solar energy is possible . The same condistion can be do in Vietnam and East South Asia. The same way with energy from WIN .
I think very important that the donors , the investers first as high educated people have to think first about how it will be impact to the global climate .
In Vietnam we all know the case of Company VEDAN, their product is spice to food . They polluted the River Thi vai ( In South Vietnam ) .Because they intend do not clean water -out before pour it to river .Fishs died, tree , plant near river die .Some day ago they pay 127 billions VND ( 1 US D nearly 18000 VND ) for enviromental fund after decision of punishment commitee .Now they have continue clean the river .
Buyer in supper -market said : do not buy VEDAN products .
Poor people.with low education back ground ,they don't know about the last results .
Donors and investors have to know about climate change and environment protection .
I don't know where money put is more better : to Africa or to Pacific .But climate change should be consider by high level decision before put money for development .
In same case : No money is Environment protection.Let it be
Thank you
Date : December 17, 2009 16:08
Merci à Monsieur Jean-Michel Severino pour ses constats et propositons concrètes en matière d'environnement pour l'Afrique.
Je me permettrai d'ajouter quelques propositions . Certaines se recoupent avec celles énoncées plus haut . Cependant, l'abondance ne peut nuire.
LUTTER CONTRE LES GAZ AEFFET DE SERRE ET AMELIORER
LA PRODUCTION AGRICOLE DES PAYS DU SUD : C’EST POSSIBLE
Au moment où de nombreux appels se font ici et là pour alerter les responsables du monde entier qui se retrouvent à Copenhague, il est possible de communiquer un message d’espoir.
C’est le moment de lancer quelques propositions réalistes et peu onéreuses au regard de leurs impacts sur l’avenir de la planète.
Quand nous parlons de production de gaz à effet de serre nous pensons en premier lieu à la combustion des énergies fossiles, à la destruction des forêts, à la production de méthane par les herbivores et notamment des bovins et nous oublions la production du méthane dans les rizières irriguées du monde entier. (les rizières irriguées sont à l’origine de 60 millions de tonnes de méthane par an)
Dans ce contexte, nous nous devons de faire des propositions constructives et innovantes à ceux qui prendront des décisions lors de la conférence de Copenhague. Là, nous pensons particulièrement aux pays du Sud. La réplique au problème du réchauffement climatique devrait permette de développer une gestion positive de l’environnement et de répondre à la Souveraineté alimentaire de ces pays. Par exemple :
faciliter et soutenir le développement d’une riziculture familiale qui ne produit pas de gaz à effet de serre. Cette méthode le Système de Riziculture Intensive mise au point à Madagascar par l’agronome et Jésuite Henri de Laulanié permet des rendements multipliés par quatre avec moins d’eau et sans production de méthane. Elle permettrait de diminuer la production d’1.200.000.000 de tonnes de méthane en 20 ans. Ce n’est pas négligeable.
Proposer des modèles de plantations de familiales de palmiers à huile qui permettent de restaurer les écosystèmes tout en permettant à des familles de bien vivre de leur exploitation. Le WWF et d’autres organisations comme le PNUE devraient être les promoteurs de telles réalisations pilotes et imposer ce modèle à tous ceux qui veulent cultiver du palmier et/ou le jatropha curcas. L’UE devrait être aussi associée à ce type de proposition puisqu’elle prône l’incorporation de 10% de biocarburant dans les carburants.
Lutter contre la désertification en restaurant les sols par la création de haies vives et la plantation d’arbres à usages multiples en vue de la production d’énergie et améliorer la fertilité des sols. Ces plantations permettraient de mieux gérer l’eau et de stocker de grande quantité de carbone. Voir l’expérience de la ferme de Guié au Burkina Faso.
Installer des brise-vent autour des grands périmètres irrigués afin de produire du bois, des fruits, de l’énergie sur place, d’économiser l’eau et de lutter contre les pollutions chimiques des nappes phréatiques et des fleuves…La création de brise-vent permettraient de planter des milliards d’arbres et de combattre efficacement contre les gaz à effet de serre.
Soutenir l’Agence Panafricaine de la Grande Muraille Verte qui vise une à la mise en place d’une vaste zone agro-syvo-pastorale de 7.775 Km de long sur 15 Km de large partant du Sénégal pour aller jusqu’à Djibouti. Je suis personnellement impliqué dans cette réalisation.
Développer une véritable stratégie de communication sur le thème de l’environnement dans chaque pays Africain en utilisant les média en place afin de donner la parole aux acteurs innovants en matière de protection et de gestion de l’environnement. ( agriculteurs , éleveurs, hommes, femmes et enfants )
Donner les moyens et la formation nécessaire aux agents de l’environnement, de l’agriculture et de l’élevage afin qu’ils puissent développer avec les populations une approche participative de réponse locale sur les thèmes de la CES/DRS et de la production locale d’énergie.
Voici quelques propositions originales qui pourraient être faites lors de la Conférence de Copenhague afin de soutenir l’agriculture familiale en luttant contre les gaz à effet de serre.
Jean Yves CLAVREUL Consultant en communication pour le développement durable.
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