Environment
of the Seychelles’ domestic exports.
Unsustainable and destructive practices, such as illegal,
unreported and unregulated fishing, undermine local
economies by depleting fish stocks and destroying key
ecosystems. UNEP’s report suggests that fish production
from wild stocks in the region may already be approaching
its maximum harvest potential of about 4.3 million tonnes
annually.
The report recommends promoting alternative livelihoods,
strengthening integrated coastal zone management,
creating adequately enforced national policies, and
establishing networks of protected areas to safeguard the
region’s ecosystems and fisheries.
Currently, marine protected areas are estimated to cover
some 130 000 km2 in the region, representing around
two per cent of its countries’ exclusive economic zones.
Recently, the Seychelles committed to conservation based
management of 30 per cent of its exclusive economic
zone, with Madagascar and the Comoros also making
strong commitments.
Extraction of Natural Resources
The report estimates the presence of fossil fuels in the
region at 27,632 million barrels of oil, 441,051 billion
cubic feet of gas, and 13,772 million barrels of natural
gas liquid. Successful extraction of these resources would
boost the region’s economy by ending some countries’
dependency on oil imports.
However, offshore extraction of oil and gas can have
serious environmental impacts. Accidental oil spills
during exploratory drilling pose the most significant
threat, potentially affecting mangrove forests, seagrass
beds, lagoons, fishing grounds and tourist facilities. Fossil
fuel extraction also contributes to climate change, and
consequently to higher ocean temperatures, acidity and
levels, affecting key organisms and ecosystems.
The region’s countries are therefore increasingly turning
to renewable energy sources. The Seychelles is planning
for renewables to cover at least 15 per cent of its power
needs by 2030. The French island of Reunion is targeting
50 per cent of renewable energy in its energy mix by 2020,
and a further goal of 100 per cent renewable energy by
2030. Mauritius is planning to use deep sea water to cool
the airport in Port Louis, saving about 20 megawatts of
energy in the short term.
Source: United Nations Environment Programme
Africa Progress Report 2015
Power, People, Planet
For Sub-Saharan
Africa, 2015 is
a turning point.
The summits
on sustainable
development,
financing and
climate change
are swinging the
spotlight not only
onto Africa’s
needs to accelerate
development and
adapt to global
warming, but also
onto the region’s
urgent energy
crisis. Two in three
Africans lack access to electricity.
But this crisis is also a moment of great opportunity,
as we demonstrate in the Africa Progress Report 2015,
Power People Planet: Seizing Africa’s Energy and Climate
Opportunities. Demand for modern energy is set to
surge, fuelled by economic growth, demographic change
and urbanization. As the costs of low-carbon energy fall,
Africa could leapfrog into a new era of power generation.
Utility reform, new technologies and new business models
could be as transformative in energy as the mobile phone
has been in telecommunications.
Renewable energy is at the forefront of the changes
sweeping Africa, which is registering some of the most
remarkable advances in solar, geothermal and wind power.
With world leaders due to meet in Paris in December
to settle on a new global climate change deal, Africa
has a chance to show the way to a low-carbon future –
while putting in place the policies needed to reduce its
vulnerability to the effects of climate change.
A “triple win” is within the region’s grasp, as renewable
technologies create opportunities to increase agricultural
productivity, improve resilience to climate change, and
contribute to long-term reductions in dangerous carbon
emissions.
The Africa Progress Report 2015 explains the bold steps
that leaders globally and in Africa must take to achieve this
vision. Above all, the report shows that the global climate
moment is also Africa’s moment – Africa’s moment to
lead the world.
Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • July - August 2015
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