COP27’s legacy on e-Mobility in sub-Saharan Africa
“If you want to address Malaria you don’t invite the mosquitos"
This was the punchy statement issued by Phillip Jakpor, working with Public Participation Africa. The jab was aimed at the vast proportion of #fossilfuel lobbyists who attended #COP27, up 25% from last year’s event in Glasgow. Indeed, Kenya recorded the 3rd highest number in their delegations, only behind UAE and Russia.?
After the dust has settled from the summit, we must now ask ourselves what impact COP27 will have on the Kenyan emobility sector, and what was left out of deliberations.?
The 27th annual #UnitedNations Climate Change Conference, COP27, took place between 6th and 18th November in the Mediterranean resort of Sharm el Sheikh, #Egypt. During the conference, delegations from countries across the globe met to have focused discussions on what could be done to avert the climate crisis and limit global warming to 1.5°C.?
This year, by contrast with Glasgow’s summit last year, did not have a specific day dedicated to transport. While #transport was still addressed on solutions day this year, there is doubtless a danger that global powers are underestimating the transformative shifting from ICE vehicles to #electric counterparts could have on #CO2 emissions. In Nairobi, over 53% of national CO2 emissions are produced by the transport industry. This is especially egregious, given the 93% #renewables-based (low-Carbon) grid and existing EV #technology.
A point of mass-contention revolved around the climate relief fund, and who should pay for the effects of climate change-driven natural disasters. Denmark pledges $13m for climate reparations, with minister M?ller Mortensen stating "it is unfair that those most affected by climate change should have to pay for the consequences despite being the least responsible for the issues in the first place". But is this enough help? Pakistan represents almost 3% of the world's population, but contributes to less than 1% of global emissions. They have had flooding that has cost them $30b in damages. A climate #relieffund is an example of how nations who industrialised prior to knowledge of its ill-effects on the climate should give #reparations for the damage it has caused. But this should also go a step further, with funding being provided to developing nations in order for their #industrialisation and growth to happen sustainably and in a carbon-neutral manner. However, developed nations are instead slashing funding to previously-colonised territories, with the UK announcing that #fcdo funding would be cut by ￡1.7b, down to ￡7.58b. This is the third slash to #commonwealth funding in as many years. Industrialisation and development will happen. If there is not #aid given to developing nations, this will happen in a manner detrimental to the planet.
President William #Ruto addressed the summit, stating that “We cannot afford to spend more time skirting around the real issues and we must break out of the open-ended, process-focused discussions we are trapped in.” During a COP that was hosted in #Africa, there was a potential that the focus would be centred around a continent pivotal in averting the climate crisis. However, guests were critical about the focus of the negotiations, stating that the summit was “African in the name only”, and despite a number of African governments requesting inclusion about the continent’s “special needs and circumstances” on the official agenda, this was denied by the conference participants. Mithika Mwenda, the Kenyan co-founder of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, said the exclusion “set the stage for another COP that will fail millions of Africans dying unjustly” from climate change. A failure to give specific focus to the African continent, given projections of the population doubling over the next 30 years, is surely a massive oversight.?
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Despite the obvious shortcomings of this year’s summit there were a few wins for transport at COP27:
M Auto secured the largest Carbon Credit transaction for electric mobility in Africa. This was fitting at a time when President William Ruto stated that “Kenya’s next significant export will be carbon credits.” in an address to all at COP27. There is no doubt that a successful #CarbonCredit system for the African market would be the additional financing that makes EVs as affordable as #ICE bikes up front.
Furthermore, the Low Carbon Transport For Urban Sustainability Initiative was created during the conference.
#LOTUS identified 5 key urban transport issues that must be solved and created 3 propositions that address said challenges.
Overall, if LOTUS and other similar promises are converted to tangible actions, COP27 did potentially have a positive impact on the transport sector. The effect will be felt most in Nairobi and similar urban centres in low-middle income countries. But there is still the overarching concern that we are doing too little, too late. The best time to phase out ICE vehicles and go electric was yesterday, but the second-best time is today. Let’s ensure that no more precious time is wasted.