Coal demand in Europe opens doors for Botswana
Botswana has prioritised ways to mitigate climate change impacts across sectors particularly agriculture, tourism and energy.
One such initiative is taking on renewable energy sources in the long-term, President Mokgweetsi Masisi told delegates at the Stockholm+50 United Nations (UN) summit meeting on environment. He reiterated Botswana's commitment to reducing its carbon footprints and cutting emissions and spearheading long-term green transition in the energy sector despite recent demand for coal in Europe on the backdrop of the Ukraine-Russia war.
The demand for coal from Africa is estimated at roughly a million tonnes per year, he indicated, and demand for this energy resource creates lucrative opportunities for increased production and supply, and other investments, which could stimulate much-needed economic returns.
President Masisi made a call to the international community to assist Botswana, noting that the Government is open to collaborate with international development partners and research institutions to address the challenges that the country is facing in terms of climate change impacts and green transition.
Last year, Botswana managed to mobilise US$30 million, approximately P368 million from the Green Climate Fund, which was allocated to financing community projects aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change in the agriculture and tourism sectors, particularly in the most affected and vulnerable communities.
Investing in green energy sectors is a key priority, the President reiterated when giving a presentation of the post-analysis World Economic Forum seminar in Gaborone, noting that there are certain programmes and projects that Botswana is pursuing in the green energy sector.
'Government is currently reviewing its integrated resource plan in order to expand the contribution of solar energy to Botswana's energy mix, and working around the clock to ensure that there is the financing of programmes and projects in the green energy sector,' said Masisi.
A 2021 UN report commissioned by 55 countries indicates that the impacts of climate change wiped off 20 percent of their economic growth in the past two decades, bringing unprecedented costs related to mitigating climate change impacts.
The contention is that developed first world countries produce the most emissions, while developing nations suffer the most. First world countries are also failing to meet the US$100 billion, approximately P1.2 trillion a year commitment to assist developing countries fund adaption measures, the report indicates.
However, a key issue is to ensure that the activities do not negatively impact on livelihoods but that they also stimulate sustainable economic activity for Batswana, thus facilitating renewable initiatives and energy transition that are sustainable and people-orientated.
This was reiterated by Botswana Climate Change Network Director Tracy Sonny during the recent launch of the International Climate Change project dubbed, 'Ensuring a people-centred energy transition in Africa through civil society engagement.'
Sonny said that 'civil society participation has the potential to ensure buy-in and prevent external interests from driving renewable energy development, and that it is designed within the local context in line with communities' social norms and values.'
Botswana has committed to the Paris Agreement to cut its carbon footprint by 15 percent by 2030. During Cop26, Botswana signed a commitment to move away from coal and transition to clean energy sources, however, Government declined to sign a commitment to not issue new licenses for coal production.
The Government argued that, 'Botswana has more than 200 billion tonnes of untapped coal resources, and mineral authorities have made it clear that they intend to exploit these using clean technology.'