1. Monica Chidia Maduekwe
Energy, Poverty and Sustainable Development: When do we draw the line between Deforestation and Development in Africa? A paper presented on the 4th NAEE/IAEE International conference 28th-29th April 2011
Monica Chidia Maduekwe

2. Outline Introduction Present Energy Situation in Africa
Energy, Poverty and Sustainable Development 1 2 4
Energy and Development 3
Conclusion 5
Question 6

3. Introduction
There is a growing awareness and concern about the effects of climate change
Increasingly, we are witnessing longer droughts, increased temperature, melting of the ice caps, and greater incidence of floods in parts of the world
Africa given its unique economic conditions is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change
Currently, parts of the continent are experiencing droughts, floods and other environmental issues resulting from climate change
Unfortunately some practices in the continent such as deforestation are exacerbating the occurrence of climate variability
Deforestation is a particularly difficult challenge as wood serves as a major source of fuel

4. Present Situation Prevalence of energy poverty
Traditional biomass accounts for a significant source of primary energy
Lowest electrification rate in the world

5. Present Situation (Cont’d.)
The figure below presents the numbers of people without access to electricity in selected developing regions (million), 2009

6. Present Situation (Cont’d.)
The figure below presents the number of people relying on Traditional Biomass in selected Developing regions (million), 2009

7. Present Situation (Cont’d.)
The figure below presents the number of Africans without access to electricity (million), 2009

8. Present Situation (Cont’d.)
The figure below presents the number of Africans relying on traditional biomass (million), 2009

9. Present Situation (Cont’d.)
The figure below represents the traditional biomass mix used in SSA

10. Energy & Development OTHER INPUTS ECONOMIC OUTPUT ENERGY
Energy is a very important input for economic development
Levels of economic development influences the kinds of energy consumed
Energy ladder

11. Source of primary energy
Energy & Development (Cont’d.)
Advanced Level
Advanced Level
Advanced Level
Intermediate Level
Intermediate Level
Intermediate Level
Lowest Level
Lowest Level
Lowest Level
Commercial fossil fuel
Electricity
Commercial fossil fuel obsevered
Animal power
Charcoal
Biomass
Sunlight
Human effort
Source of primary energy

12. Energy & Development (Cont’d.)

13. Energy, Poverty and Environment
Energy/Poverty Nexus
Energy/Poverty/Environment Nexus
Poverty
Lack of Energy Access
Poverty
Preference for traditional biomass
Increased socio-economic and environmental cost

14. Economic And Environmental Implication Of Deforestation For Energy
Deforestation leads to ecological problems which imposes economic cost to already poor countries in Africa.
Country
Environmental damage
Year
% GNP
Burkina Faso
Crop, livestock and fuel wood losses due to land degradation
1988
8.8
Ethiopia
Effects of deforestation on fuel wood supply and crop output
1983
Malawi
Soil erosion and deforestation
Mali
Effects of soil erosion on crop output
Nigeria
Soil degradation, deforestation, water pollution, other erosion
1989
17.4

15. Energy, Poverty and Sustainable Development
Eradicating poverty will involve 3 approaches:
Lessen the descend of already poor households into deeper poverty
Assist poor households to move out of poverty
Mitigate potential causes of poverty for the non-poor
Without the access to modern energy, poverty eradication and sustainable development cannot be achieved

16. Energy, Poverty and Sustainable Development
The place of energy in sustainable development (SD) in Africa
SD ensures inter and intra generational equity. SD typically considers the following factors:
Social;
Economic; and
Environment.
Currently, the energy situation in Africa does not fulfil the factors listed above
Thus, the fourth pillar of SD (energy security) should be considered in any program for development.

17. Energy, Poverty and Sustainable Development
Energy security considers the degree at which energy needed is available, accessible and affordable.
Energy security refers to “a reliable and adequate supply of energy at reasonable prices”.
Bielecki (2002)
Energy security means ensuring that clean and modern forms of energy are available and affordable at the different household levels in the society.
Jain (2010)

18. Flattening the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for Deforestation in Africa
The concept of the EKC
Deforestation
Per capita income
The Kuznets Curve has been used to explain the relationship between deforestation and income in developing countries
At early stage of development, environmental degradation is inevitable
This trend peaks and begins to decline (the turning point) as per capita income grows

19. Flattening the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for Deforestation in Africa
Regulation could be utilised to discourage deforestation; however, this approach is fraught with a lot of problems.
Regulation a one-sided solution?
Restricting deforestation will not solve the problem of energy security.
It may lead to a worsened case of welfare loss for poor households
Low income countries have no incentives to reduce deforestation
The need for the adoption of an incentive mechanism which ensures the implementation of a comprehensive forest-carbon management technique
And provide finance streams for economic and energy development

20. NATIONAL INVENTORY APPROACH
Energy, Deforestation and Development in Africa
Deforestation
Reforestation
Afforestation
Forest Degradation
Forest Fires
NATIONAL INVENTORY APPROACH
Forest Conservation

21. Conclusion
Energy is a significant driver of economic development and there is generally a positive relationship between energy consumption and economic development.
The low per capita energy consumption in Africa and its heavy reliance on firewood for fuel presents unique challenges for the continent
The current situation is unsustainable and requires urgent and deliberate intervention by policy makers
The paper recommends the adoption of the National Inventory Approach
It will enable Africa decouple deforestation from energy use while providing the necessary financial streams to provide modern energies to its populace.

22. Questions/Comments