From Nairobi to Dubai: How Africa is Taking Action on Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Welcome to the third post of my series on Africa's role and expectations at the upcoming COP 28, the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In this series, I will explore some of the key issues and opportunities that Africa faces in addressing climate change and participating in COP 28. I will also share some of the best practices and success stories of climate action in Africa, such as renewable energy projects, nature-based solutions, adaptation initiatives, and green entrepreneurship.

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/6mETTVTgYfp3vrRz9

Renewable Energy Projects 

Africa has abundant natural resources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy, that can enable a low-carbon and green development path. Many African countries have shown firm commitment towards accelerated use of modern renewable energy and are leading energy transition efforts. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), from 2019 to 2020 alone, solar and wind capacity increased by 13% and 11%, respectively, while hydropower soared 25% in Africa¹. 

Some examples of renewable energy projects in Africa are: 

 - The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex in Morocco is one of the world's largest solar power plants. It consists of four phases with a total capacity of 580 megawatts (MW), enough to power over one million homes. The project uses both photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies, which can store energy for night-time use. The project has reduced Morocco's dependence on fossil fuels and created thousands of jobs². 
- The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project in Kenya is the largest wind farm in Africa. It has a capacity of 310 MW, which accounts for about 15% of Kenya's installed electricity capacity. The project harnesses the strong and consistent winds in the Turkana region to generate clean and affordable energy. The project has also improved access to electricity for rural communities and supported local development³. 
- The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a hydroelectric power project on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. It is expected to have a capacity of 6,450 MW when completed, making it the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa and the seventh-largest in the world. The project aims to boost Ethiopia's energy security and export surplus electricity to neighboring countries. The project has also enhanced regional cooperation and integration⁴.

Nature-Based Solutions 

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions that protect, restore, or manage natural or modified ecosystems to address societal challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, water scarcity, disaster risk reduction, and human health⁵. NBS can provide multiple benefits for people and nature, such as enhancing resilience, reducing emissions, conserving biodiversity, improving livelihoods, and creating green jobs. 

 Some examples of nature-based solutions in Africa are: 

 - The Great Green Wall is an African-led initiative to grow an 8,000 km long natural wonder across the entire width of Africa. It aims to restore degraded land, combat desertification, enhance food security, create jobs, and promote peace in the Sahel region. The initiative involves more than 20 countries and hundreds of partners. So far, more than 18 million hectares of land have been restored⁶. 
- The Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) initiative is a country-led effort to restore degraded forest landscapes and achieve multiple benefits for people and nature. It is supported by various partners, such as the World Resources Institute (WRI), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the African Union. As part of the initiative, more than 30 African countries have committed to restore over 100 million hectares of land by 2030⁷. 
- The Blue Economy is an approach that recognizes the economic, social, and environmental value of marine and coastal resources. It promotes sustainable use and management of these resources for inclusive growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean health. Several African countries have adopted blue economy strategies or initiatives to harness their ocean potential. For example, Seychelles has launched the world's first sovereign blue bond to finance marine conservation and fisheries projects⁸. 

Adaptation Initiatives 

Adaptation is the process of adjusting to actual or expected climate change and its effects. It aims to reduce the harm or exploit the opportunities associated with climate change. Adaptation is essential for Africa, as the continent is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, but also one of the most resilient and ambitious. Africa has demonstrated strong political will and leadership on adaptation issues, such as through the launch of the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) at COP 21 in Paris⁹. 

Some examples of adaptation initiatives in Africa are: 

 - The Africa Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance (ACSAA) is a partnership of African governments, civil society, farmer organizations, research institutions, and development partners. It aims to scale up climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices across Africa to increase productivity, enhance adaptation, and reduce emissions. The alliance supports the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Malabo Declaration 10.
- The Africa Risk Capacity (ARC) is a specialized agency of the African Union that provides sovereign disaster risk insurance and contingency planning to African countries. It helps countries prepare for and respond to extreme weather events and natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, cyclones, and outbreaks. The ARC uses satellite weather surveillance and software to estimate and trigger insurance payouts¹¹. 
- The Adaptation Fund is a multilateral fund that finances concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The fund is financed by a share of proceeds from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and other sources. The fund has supported more than 100 projects in Africa, covering various sectors, such as agriculture, water, coastal management, health, and disaster risk reduction¹².

Green Entrepreneurship 

Green entrepreneurship is the activity of creating and developing new processes, technologies, products, or services that make the economy more efficient in its use of the natural environment and more resilient to environmental impacts. Green entrepreneurs develop and serve markets for green solutions that address climate change and other environmental challenges faced by society. Green entrepreneurship can also contribute to economic growth, job creation, innovation, and social inclusion. Some examples of green entrepreneurship in Africa are: 

 - M-KOPA Solar is a Kenyan company that provides affordable solar home systems to low-income households in East Africa. The company uses a pay-as-you-go model that allows customers to pay for their systems over time using mobile money. The systems provide clean and reliable energy for lighting, charging phones, radios, TVs, and other appliances. The company has connected more than one million homes to solar power¹³. 
- Green Bio Energy is a Ugandan company that produces eco-friendly charcoal briquettes from agricultural waste. The company also trains and empowers local entrepreneurs, especially women and youth, to produce and sell the briquettes in their communities. The briquettes are cheaper and cleaner than traditional charcoal or firewood. They reduce deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, indoor air pollution, and health risks¹⁴. 
- Waste Enterprisers is a Ghanaian company that transforms human waste into valuable products, such as biodiesel, organic fertilizer, and animal feed. The company works with municipal authorities and private operators to collect and process fecal sludge from pit latrines and septic tanks. The company generates revenue from selling the products and providing sanitation services. The company also creates jobs, improves public health, and protects the environment¹⁵.

These are just some of the examples of how Africa is taking action on climate change and sustainable development. There are many more stories of innovation and collaboration across the continent that deserve recognition and support. Africa has shown that it is not only a victim of climate change but also a leader of climate action. Africa has also shown that it is not only a recipient of aid but also a partner of development.