Cop27 global environmental objectives are outlined in the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty adopted by 196 parties in Paris on 12 December 2015.
The agreement underscores carbon neutrality and the transparent reporting of national environmental mitigation and adaptation measures.
Most importantly, the agreement emphasises that developed countries should take the lead in providing financial assistance to countries that are less developed and therefore more vulnerable.
To this effect, 12 years ago, wealthy and developed nations pledged U$100 billion to assist developing nations in mitigating the harms of the climate crisis.
An analysis by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development reports that the actual funding provided fell short by U$17 billion.
Of the funding received, 42% of it went to Asia, 26% to Africa and 17% to the Americas.
Moderate praise is due for the partial delivery on the climate finance commitment. However, Western climate financiers insist on the development of a green economy.
For instance, the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package, which includes €150 billion for public and private investments over seven years, notes the acceleration of a green transition as a priority area.
However, the incentive for developing countries to advance a purely green path to economic development begs a broader question.
Historically, First World countries have contributed the lion’s share of environmental pollution in pursuit of economic development.
They have aggressively (and successfully) pursued industrialisation and are now reaping the rewards of sustained economic growth.
It is therefore highly contentious, at best, and bad faith, at worst, to suppose a moral obligation for less developed countries to completely relinquish conventional energy strategies in pursuit of the same economic objectives First World countries now enjoy.
The insistence that developing countries should completely and immediately redesign their economies around green infrastructure is comparable to someone who kicks down and criticises a proverbial ladder after they’ve successfully used it to climb to the top.
It has therefore been refreshing to witness the unified voice with which African countries have expressed the need to maintain freedom to explore conventional energy sources.
Many African countries affirm the position that “in the short to medium term, fossil fuels, especially natural gas, will have to play a crucial role in expanding modern energy access in addition to accelerating the uptake of renewables”.
This unified framework is illustrated by a recent joint energy undertaking by Namibia and Botswana.
The project involves the Okavango Delta, an oasis in the heart of the Kalahari Desert and a key water source.
The Delta is believed to contain a wealth of oil and gas.
Canadian company ReconAfrica holds exploration licences for a 34 325 sq km area straddling the border of both countries.
In the same vein, Zambia and Namibia recently signed a memorandum of understanding to build an oil and gas pipeline connecting the two countries. If carried out successfully, the venture could, at least in part, help address southern Africa’s energy deficiencies.
Investment in oil and gas exploration echoes the reality that the Namibian government, and others, have a responsibility to develop the country’s natural resources for the economic benefit of its people.
These efforts are proceeding in spite of calls by the global community to decarbonise and make a significant move towards clean energy.
However, Namibia is in a unique position to simultaneously bolster her conventional electricity generation capacity while taking advantage of our renewable sources to pursue a green future.
As highlighted in a report by McKinsey & Co, “if the African continent can use its large renewable energy generation capacity and rich natural capital endowments responsibly and strategically, it could catalyse economic growth and make a substantial contribution to the global net-zero transition”. With Namibia generating less than half of the energy it produces, pursuing clean alternatives like green hydrogen while cautiously, and responsibly, retaining oil and gas undertakings can position Namibia to have its cake and eat it.
* Bertha Tobias isa22-year-oldNamibianInternational Relations student. Find out more onwww.berthatobias.comand connect onbertha@berthatobias.com!
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