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Coastal erosion as a threat to Ghana's coastline is being exacerbated by natural and anthropogenic processes. Adaptation to coastal erosion helps in managing the impacts and the levels of destruction to livelihoods, properties and investments along the coastline. Government intervention in adaptation to coastal erosion has always focused on the development of coastal sea defences without the integration of Indigenous knowledge and initiatives of coastal dwellers. This paper contributes to this gap by examining the Indigenous adaptation responses to coastal erosion in selected coastal communities of Ghana, factors influencing the choice of adaptation responses and the extent to which these Indigenous adaptation responses are addressing coastal erosion. Findings from the explorative qualitative study revealed that coastal dwellers are engaged in different forms of planned and reactive adaptation responses to coastal erosion. It was also found out that most of the Indigenous adaptation responses to coastal erosion were unsustainable in addressing coastal erosion and the choice of Indigenous adaptation response to coastal erosion was shaped by socio-economic and ecological factors or perception. Maladaptation responses by coastal dwellers were contributing to the phenomenon of coastal erosion. Coastal dwellers have survived the impacts of coastal erosion in the absence of support from central and local governments and their unsustainable adaptation responses have become a cyclical ritual over a period of time. The paper contributes to the debates on adaptation to climate change and the consideration of Indigenous knowledge into climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in coastal zone planning and management. • Indigenous adaptation responses to coastal erosion are autonomous and reactive. • There is no collective community action towards addressing coastal erosion. • Adaptation responses are shaped by socio-economic and ecological considerations. • Maladaptation responses are counterproductive to addressing coastal erosion. • Hard Indigenous adaptation responses are a physical limitation to coastal resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal resilience strategies are vital for managing the impacts of climatic shocks and stresses that bedevils coastal zones globally. Coastal strategies that reflect indigenous knowledge and practices as well as local adaptation efforts are productive in promoting resilience to coastal erosion at the local level. However, there has been less common research in conventional literature on how national level strategies impact adaptation measures by local governance institutions and coastal dwellers in addressing coastal erosion. Using an explorative qualitative case study of selected coastal communities in Ghana, the paper contributes to this gap by assessing how national level strategies impact adaptation to coastal erosion at the local level. It also examines the institutional and community perception of coastal erosion, its causes and impacts. Findings indicate that all the coastal dwellers in the study communities are aware of coastal erosion with most of the community interviewees attributing the phenomenon to sea-level rise as the main driver of coastal erosion. Also, interviews with local government authorities and state agencies found that the national level coastal erosion adaptation strategies to a large extent do not promote local innovation in addressing climatic shocks and stresses of coastal communities. The paper contributes to contemporary debates in indigenous knowledge in climate change mitigation and adaptation by multilevel governance towards coastal resilience by recommending a collaborative effort between coastal communities and the District Assemblies in promoting indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation and the preparation of coastal management plans that incorporates indigenous knowledge in adaptation to coastal erosion. • Coastal dwellers perceive coastal erosion through direct observation. • National level coastal resilience strategies promote indigenous knowledge. • Their implementation is at variance with local level adaptation. • State institutions perceive indigenous knowledge and adaptation as unsustainable. • Formal integration of indigenous knowledge affects local level adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocoa production is a leading driver of deforestation in the humid-tropics of West Africa. Reconciling climate change mitigation with livelihoods of farmers requires identification of production strategies to concurrently improve yield and profit while curtailing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). Using a 2021 plot-survey conducted in Ghana's Eastern region, we evaluated yields, GHG emissions, and value of production (VOP) (a profit indicator) across a typology representing the diversity of systems at plot-level. The typology was constructed by first stratifying plots according to shade levels and variety (hybrid vs. Amazonia) which resulted in three systems: Hybrid sun , hybrid variety under full-sun (little to no shade); Hybrid shade , hybrid and moderate shade (13–25 shade trees ha−1); and Amazonia, Amazonia under predominantly moderate shade. Next, factor analysis and clustering were used to group plots within each system according to cocoa yield, vegetation, management, and (local) climate conditions. Cluster analysis showed that fertiliser, weeding, pruning, hand pollination, cocoa tree density, and shade tree densities of differing heights were most influential for determination across systems. Hybrid shade had the highest net GHG removal rate at −6.8 ± 1.7 (± 95% CI) Mg CO 2 eq ha−1 yr−1: 48% and 127% higher (emissions more negative) respectively over Amazonia and Hybrid sun. Hybrid shade additionally had the highest average and least variable VOP among production systems at 669 ± 564 USD ha−1 yr−1, compared to Hybrid sun and Amazonia at 404 ± 442 and 213 ± 280 USD ha−1 yr−1 respectively. These results point to hybrid cocoa grown under moderate shade of 13–25 shade trees ha−1 as optimal for reconciling climate change mitigation with development in West African cocoa. • Study concurrently evaluates financial profits and GHG balances (N 2 O & CH 4 emissions, CO 2 removals) in West African cocoa. • Plot-level indicators are evaluated across a typology obtained from sample-stratification and clustering. • Hybrid cocoa under moderate shade (13-25 shade trees ha-1) had GHG removal increment of 127% over same variety without shade. • This system too had higher mean profits, thus best reconciling GHG mitigation and economic development for the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing assumption in urban studies literature is that the urban poor remain vulnerable to climate change impacts yet excluded from planning interventions and their formation. However, at present, there is dearth of research examining the adaptation practices by the urban poor in African cities. Focusing on Ghana's capital, Accra, the purpose of this study is fourfold: (i) to explore climate change literacy among the urban poor and local planning institutions; (ii) to examine the urban poor's perceptions on climatic events in Accra; (iii) to analyze autonomous adaptation measures to climate change impacts; and (iv) to assess planned adaptation measures to climate change impacts. This paper uses household surveys, secondary data analysis and agency interviews in two informal communities - Nima and Chorkor - in Accra as case studies. Underpinned by the social exclusion theory, the results show limited climate literacy despite widespread experience of climate change impacts by the urban poor. Most adaptation measures were community driven and autonomous while the limited institutional responses were both planned and autonomous. However, both community and institutional planning responses were ad-hoc, reactionary and unsustainable. The paper recommends consideration of community-based self-organizing adaptation measures into city plans to ensure that autonomous measures are complemented with planned adaptation strategies. In addition to stakeholder participation, collaborations and partnerships in climate change adaptation, pro-poor adaptation measures - both autonomous and planned remain imperative as they can contribute to inclusive and just climate change policy. • Urban poor remain vulnerable to climate change impacts. • They are excluded from climate planning action. • Adaptation measures were community driven and autonomous. • Institutional responses to climate change are unsustainable. • Stakeholder partnerships in pro-poor adaptation required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub-Saharan Africa is a region with a large population living without electricity. This study investigates the grid balancing role of bioenergy in a sub-Saharan Africa's fully renewable power sector to address the energy poverty challenge in the region, using Ghana as a case country. Two methods are employed: the bioenergy estimation method, for deriving Ghana's technical bioenergy potential, and the LUT model, for the power sector transition modelling. The Ghanaian bioenergy potential of 48.3 TWh is applied on the power sector using the LUT model to develop six alternative scenarios, emphasising on the role of bioenergy, greenhouse gas emissions costs, and climate change mitigation policies. The results of the Best Policy Scenario reveal that with an electrical efficiency of 37.2%, 18 TWh of electricity, which is 16.9% of Ghana's electricity demand by 2050, could be produced from bioenergy for grid balancing. Also, the levelised cost of electricity declines from 48.7 €/MW in 2015 to 36.9–46.6 €/MWh in 2050. Whereas the cost of electricity increases to 76.4 €/MWh in the Current Policy Scenario without greenhouse gas emissions costs. The results show the viability of a relatively cheap and bioenergy balanced sustainable renewable power system for the sub-Saharan African region. • The role of modern bioenergy is examined in renewable energy (RE) dominated power systems. • A comprehensive bioenergy potential assessment for the case of Ghana is presented. • Bioenergy provides flexibility in hybrid solar PV-battery dominated power systems. • Levelised cost of electricity for 100% RE ranges from 37 - 46.6 €/MWh in 2050. • Sustainable modern bioenergy contribution in power systems substantially reduces system costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutions play crucial roles in addressing and building resilence to climate risks. Whereas planning for and addressing climate change issues through multilevel goverence (MLG) has become inevitable, there has been a disparity in the attention given to different levels of MLG. The focus of MLG research has predominantly centered around supranational and national levels, with limited empirical studies on subnational MLG governance; hence, this research. This study thus focuses on the city of Kumasi (specifically, Kumasi Metropolitan Area) in Ghana as a case study to examine the role of MLG at the subnational level in climate change planning and management. Seven relevant climate change and local/city planning agencies were sampled purposively for appropriate data. It was clearly revealed that these actors who operate at various levels and jurisdiction, address climate challenges in accordance with their respective primary responsibilities. While such MLG arrangement exists for addressing climate change in the city of Kumasi, there are many challenges that derail effective collaboration and any meaningful outcome within such governance framework. The collaboration among the authorities involved in planning and managing climate change action in Kumasi remains weak coupled with overlaps in their formal roles and responsibilities. Additionally, there is no evidence of any meaningful action being undertaken within such governance arrangement to address climate change contrary to the expectation that MLG should have enhanced interactions in terms of planning for climate change. The study recommends that the MLG framework should encourage learning across different levels and facilitate interactions among various organizations, promoting innovation in climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives. • Urban poor remain vulnerable to climate change impacts. • Institutions play crucial roles in addressing and building resilience to climate risks. • Addressing climate change issues through multilevel governance has become inevitable. • Stakeholder collaboration to manage climate risks remains weak. • Stakeholder participation and partnerships in pro-poor adaptation measures remain imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of Increase in Block Pricing (IBP) policy is premised on the assumption that consumers adjust their behavior to save energy in response to electricity price increases. However, consumers often lack a comprehensive understanding of the pricing schedules, leading to inaccurate consumption predictions. This study utilizes monthly electricity billing data from the administrative records of urban residential consumers of the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited to estimate the causal effect of IBP policy schedules on electricity consumption. To achieve this, we employed the Regression Kink (RK) design identification strategy to explore the kink structure of the policy function. This paper finds an inelastic causal relationship between IBP policy and electricity consumption. The results show a treatment effect of 0.41 KWh with an associated p-value of 0.473 at a robust 95 % confidence interval. Thus, IBP policy has no causal effect on electricity consumption at the 50 KWh lower block threshold. Notably, electricity consumers do not respond significantly to price increments, rendering IBP policy ineffective in achieving energy saving at the lower block threshold. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of IBP policy in promoting energy savings and informs researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the energy sector. Results can be used to develop evidence-based policies that contribute to energy conservation and climate change mitigation. • Increase in block pricing (IBP) is used to encourage energy conservation. • We estimate the causal effect of the IBP policy on electricity consumption. • We use monthly electricity billing data from the Electricity Company of Ghana. • Despite expectations, we find that IBP policy is ineffective in achieving energy conservation objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • In Ghana's forest zone, 2016 was the driest year during the period 2003–2017. • In 2016, forest reserves had more active fire detections than in any other year. • Most fires inside forest reserves occurred in the moist semi-deciduous type. • The percent area burned was highest in the most degraded forest reserves. • Drought led to more fire in 2016 and degradation influenced the locations of fires. Abstract Forest reserves in Ghana are the only significant refugia of natural tropical forests, but they are threatened by land use pressures that have led to widespread forest degradation. Additional stress from climate perturbations, such as droughts, can reduce fuel moisture and lead to fires that render the reserves more vulnerable to further degradation. Here, we explore recent drought-associated wildfires in the forest zone of Ghana to better understand the combined effects of forest degradation and drought stress on fire in the forest reserves. We used remotely sensed Earth observations from MODIS and Landsat 8 along with Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) precipitation data, to study fires that occurred during drought conditions in 2016. Fires were widespread in 2016, with an estimated 2137 km2 of forest reserve area burned. During the period 2003–2017, forest reserves experienced the most active fire detections in 2016. The majority of these fires were located in the moist semi-deciduous forests, the largest and most economically valuable forest type, accounting for more than 50% of all active fires and burned area. Forest reserves within the moist semi-deciduous forest type also had the highest standardized fire anomalies in 2016. There was a higher percentage of burned area in degraded forest reserves than in more intact reserves. These results underscore the vulnerability of Ghana's forest reserves, particularly in the moist semi-deciduous type, to fires during severe droughts. Although drought predisposes moist tropical forests to fire, forest degradation also influences the spatial pattern and extent of burned forests. Fire-induced forest degradation presents a major challenge for conservation of humid tropical forests in the region. Within the context of REDD+ and other climate change mitigation and adaptation programs in West Africa, it will be imperative to incorporate effective fire management strategies into ongoing efforts to reduce forest degradation and sustain forest resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional wisdom holds that, without environmental benefits and revenue recycling, fossil fuel subsidies removal would lead to welfare losses. First, this study tests the usefulness of general equilibrium theory for validating these claims and draws similar conclusion. Subsequently, the model is readjusted to reflect simulation with two non-traditional policy options. This time, the results suggest that removing subsidies on fossil fuels would create opportunities provided that such is done in tandem with complementary policies. In particular, we show that a mix of ‘agricultural productivity improvement’ and a ‘reduction in trade transaction costs’ (at 15% in each case) would provide benefits for fossil fuel subsidies removal in Ghana. These results underscore the need for structural reforms in Ghanaian agricultural sector especially those aimed at promoting mechanized agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass plays a dual role as an energy source and a solution for climate change mitigation. There are complexities surrounding decentralized electricity generation, and Ghana could not achieve its 10% renewable energy target in 2020. The paper assesses the greenhouse gas mitigation potential and economic impact of electricity from major food crop residues subjected to anaerobic digestion technology in 16 regions and 88 districts in Ghana from 2017 to 2020. Buswell equation was applied to calculate the biogas and methane yield. The environmental impact assessment was expressed as global warming potential, and the economic feasibility was conducted. The results showed that crop residues' annual theoretical and technical potential was 28.92 Mt and 17.24 Mt. The top four residues with the largest share of technical potential were maize (5.41 Mt), yam (3.58 Mt), plantain (3.05 Mt) and cassava (2.39 Mt). Biogas and electricity potentials were 1,912.74 Mm3 and 3,068.34 GWh, which could offset 15.56% of electricity consumption in Ghana. The Ashanti (478.18 GWh), Eastern (430.20 GWh), Bono East (318.29 GWh) and Northern (314 GWh) regions demonstrated the highest electricity potential. Ghana could generate the highest electricity potential of 46.52 GWh in the districts and a minimum potential of 0.89 GWh annually. Power generation potential from anaerobic digestion had a diesel displacement capacity of 923.35 × 10 6 L with a GHG emissions reduction of 2,507.35 kt CO 2 eq. The largest GHG reduction potential was 38.15 kt CO 2 eq at the district level. The findings show that the project is economically viable, with an average net present value of $ 10,105,904 per region and an electricity cost of $ 0.0321/kWh. The study provides critical insights to policymakers and industry developers for decentralized biomass-based electricity generation in Ghana. • A sustainable crop residue assessment is conducted in Ghana. • The total biogas-based electricity is 3,068.34 GWh. • Ashanti region has high electricity (478.18 GWh) than Greater Accra (9.82 GWh). • The total GHG mitigation is estimated as 2507.35 kt CO 2 eq. • The project is economically viable at a cost of $ 0.0321/kWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, claims and counterclaims that fossil fuel subsidies removal yields benefits in terms of budget deficits, energy efficiency and mitigation are assessed. In order to do this, a global computable general equilibrium (CGE) model has been estimated to evaluate the impact of subsidies removal on imported refined oil in Ghana on prices, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions, households' demand, firm's production and real GDP. The simulation experiment points to evidence that subsidy removal raises prices, increases the rate of CO 2 emissions, reduces households' demand, reduces aggregate output and affects various sectors differently. The increased rate of CO 2 emissions due to the removal of subsidies is indicative of the existence of the so-called ‘green paradox’. These results underscore the fact that a removal of subsidies on fossil fuels may win in some regards but fail in others. A general implication from the applied model, therefore, is one which supports the assertion that removal of subsidies on fossil fuels removal on energy should be implemented along with policies aimed at stimulating economic activities and reducing the level of CO 2 emissions, especially where there is evidence of the ‘green paradox’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the motivations for the removal of subsidies on fossil fuels is that these subsidies lead to the over-consumption of energy, and as a result, undermine environmental quality. Despite the huge opportunities that removal of subsidies on fossil fuels may bring for climate change mitigation, empirical studies for Ghana have failed to appropriately test these links. For this reason, this study employs a multi-region computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to evaluate the welfare and environmental impacts from imported refined oil subsidies removal in Ghana. The simulation experiment shows evidence of welfare losses even if environmental benefits are accounted for. Although the rate of CO 2 emissions appears to increase, there is an overall 1.9% improvement in environmental quality due to the removal of fuel subsidies. The results provided in this study imply that the removal of subsidies on energy should be implemented along with policies aimed at stimulating economic activities. In addition, the study has implications for the so-called ‘green paradox’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the scientific contributions of earlier studies to the understanding of shifts in land-use to cashew in the forest-savannah transition zone, some questions remain unanswered: (1) what is the extent of landscape-level conversions associated with cashew? (2) could the expansion of cashew in the forest-savannah transitional zone potentially serve as a carbon mitigation strategy relative to other land uses at the landscape level? and (3) how does the land use dynamics associated with cashew development hold implications for Ghana's climate change mitigation strategies? The Wenchi Municipality was used as a case study. Landsat images for 2000, 2015 and 2020 were classified to produce land cover maps using the random forest algorithm to overall accuracies of 72.6 %, 86.9 % and 91.2 %, respectively. The InVEST software was used to estimate the carbon sequestered by each land cover class in the landscape. Finally, 150 cashew farmers, four focus group discussions and key experts were interviewed. The results show that cashew plantations had increased in the Municipality by 31103.05 ha between 2000 and 2020. The shift in land use towards cashew increased the Above Ground Carbon from 599956.73 tons to 1039402.32 tons between 2000 and 2020, representing 696219.15 tons (883.5 %) increase in the Municipality. According to the farmers, the shift in land use to cashew was mainly due to the available ready market and relative higher income. This suggests that, there is great potential for mitigating climate change in the forest-savannah transitional zone using cashew. Hence, Ghana needs to explore the gains associated with cashew plantations, particularly as it transforms low-income crops with challenging post-harvest and marketing constraints into relatively lucrative income generation cashew, which has major implications for improvements in livelihood and co-benefits for carbon stocks enhancement. Ultimately, as Ghana rolls out its Nationally Determined Contributions implementation among other forestry sector climate change mitigation interventions, it is important to consider the role of cashew as a major contributor to carbon stocks enhancement within the Forest–Savannah transitional zone. This study provides major decision support for formulating policies, interventions, and measures to promote climate change and livelihood improvement opportunities while rolling out safeguard measures to prevent further conversion of relatively high carbon stocks landscapes, such as the savannah woodlands within the forest-savannah transitional zone. • Cashew increased in the Wenchi Municipality by 31103.05 ha between 2000 and 2020. • Cashew expansion increased Above Ground Carbon by 883.5 %. • Cashew has the potential for mitigating climate change in the forest-savannah transitional zone. • Safeguard measures to prevent further conversion of relatively higher carbon stocks savannah woodlands to cashew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofuel production is promoted in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to address multiple policy objectives, including energy security, rural development, and climate mitigation. However, several biofuel plantations have been closed or abandoned for various reasons, including a confluence of global circumstances and underperformance at the local level. Nevertheless, there is limited research on the impacts of biofuel plantation closures and post-closure dynamics across SSA. Through interviews in three different communities, this study seeks to highlight issues that are emerging in host communities after the closure or abandonment of biofuel plantations. It was found that critical issues emerging after the closure of plantations include how to secure alternative livelihoods for former workers, whether land rights are to be transferred back to the previous owners, how will ecological restoration of the sites take place, and why investors are rebranding closed projects into other new forms of investments. A new direction of research on land abandonment and post-closure outcomes is necessary to provide insight into policies essential for sustainable development in the host communities. It is, therefore, imperative for new land studies to explore the interface of land abandonment, plantation closure and sustainable development in SSA. • Biofuel research has focused mainly on the operational phase of projects. • There are many livelihood impacts of closed biofuel projects. • Post-closure of biofuel plantation is a neglected topic in rural studies. • New academic interest in post-closure is imperative for rural resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of climate change on soil water content and the resultant effects on agricultural productivity have raised a lot of concerns among cocoa farmers. This has rendered cocoa production a risky business. This makes soil water conservation practices crucial in cocoa production. Nonetheless, its adoption as a means to mitigate the adverse corollaries of climate change might be low in developing countries like Ghana. Our study focuses on soil water conservation practices carried out by cocoa farmers in Ghana to cope with climate change, its impact on productivity, and the determinants. We compiled primary data from 400 cocoa farmers. Due to potential inter-causal relationship between soil water conservation and productivity, we applied the three-stage least-squares and two-step Tobit with endogenous regressors. The study found that 97% of cocoa farmers carry out soil water conservation practices as a coping strategy for climate change. These are application of organic fertilizers, mulching, planting of leguminous crops, retention of trees, and planting of shade trees. On average, cocoa farmers carry out two of these practices. The study revealed that cocoa productivity is directly associated with soil water conservation practices. Additionally, the number of soil water conservation practices carried out by cocoa farmers increases with farm size, leasehold/individual land ownership, age of cocoa farm, income, farm management training, and government support. Also, cocoa productivity increases with income, association membership, farm management training, access to agricultural information, and soil fertility, but reduces with farm size. We delved deeper into the various soil water conservation practices adopted by cocoa farmers in Ghana to minimize the negative repercussions of climate change. The findings are relevant in understanding how cocoa farmers conserve soil moisture under the current climate dispensation as well as the inter-causal synergy between soil water conservation and cocoa productivity. We provide recommendations for policy- and decision-makers on soil water conservation practices to enhance productivity in the cocoa sector. These include organization of farm management training programmes by government, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders for cocoa farmers. Also, there is the need to support cocoa farmers with input subsidies and climate change information. [Display omitted] • Impacts of climate change on soil water make soil water conservation practices crucial in cocoa production. • We assessed the nexus between soil water conservation practices and climate change mitigation and impact on productivity. • The three-stage least-squares and two-step Tobit with endogenous regressors were used for the study. • Inter-causal synergy exist between soil water conservation and cocoa productivity. • Cocoa farmers adopt soil water conservation practices to mitigate climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threat of climate change on agri-production systems in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) has been well documented. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is being promoted among farmers as a way of adapting to the effect of climate change on agricultural systems. This study used primary data from 300 farmers in the Zabzugu and South Tongu districts of Ghana. We fitted an Endogenous-Switching Poisson regression model to determine the drivers of farmers' participation in climate change capacity building programmes and the concomitant effect of participation on adoption intensity of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAPs). The study found that participation in climate change capacity building training is endogenous and is positively influenced by farmers' access to agricultural extension services and membership of farmer-based organisations (FBOs). Consequently, participation in capacity building training, family labour, and agricultural insurance significantly influenced farmers' CSAPs adoption intensity. We recommend, based on these findings, that climate change and agricultural projects incorporate farmer training on CSAPs in their programming, in order to guide the adoption of multiple practices. Here, extension agents and FBOs should be targeted to disseminate information to farmers. An important finding from this study relates to the significant effect of agricultural insurance on adoption intensity of CSAPs. We argue that farm insurance reduces the risk of investing in climate mitigation practices for smallholder farmers and for that matter, national agricultural policies should facilitate farmers' subscription to crop insurance as a mechanism to increase resilience to climate risks and shocks. • Climate-smart agriculture has been promoted as a means of adapting to climate change among Ghanaian farmers. • Participation in capacity-building trainings can enhance adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAPs). • The endogenous switching Poisson model corrects inherent biases due to self-selection into training programmes. • Access to extension services and joining FBOs improveparticipation while labour and crop insurance boost adoption of CSAPs. • Policies to increase adoption of CSAPs should favour supporting farmer with extension services and crop insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Forest plantations accumulate higher AGC compared to secondary forests. • Plantations reached AGC and basal area similar to primary forests after 42 years. • Woody recruits within plantations had similar AGC and basal area as secondary forests. • Timber plantations facilitated successful colonization by native woody recruits. High deforestation rates, especially in the tropics, currently result in the annual emission of large amounts of carbon, contributing to global climate change. There is therefore an urgent need to take actions to mitigate climate change both by slowing down deforestation and by initiating new sinks. Tropical forest plantations are generally thought to sequester carbon rapidly during the initial years but there is limited knowledge on their long-term potential. In this study, we assessed the carbon sequestration in old (42–47 years) timber plantations of Aucoumea klaineana , Cedrela odorata , Tarrietia utilis , and Terminalia ivorensis, and secondary forests of similar ages, by comparing their basal areas and above-ground carbon stocks (AGC) to that of nearby primary forests. Additionally, we estimated and compared timber volume and stumpage value in the three forest types. Systematic random sampling of ninety-three 20 m × 20 m plots in eleven forest sites (2 secondary forests, 2 primary forests, and 7 timber plantations) was undertaken to determine the effect of forest type on AGC, basal area, timber volume, and stumpage value. After 42 years of growth, mean AGC of the timber plantations (159.7 ± 14.3 Mg ha−1) was similar to that of primary forests (173.0 ± 25.1 Mg ha−1) and both were significantly higher than the mean AGC of the secondary forests (103.6 ± 12.3 Mg ha−1). Mean basal area and timber volume of the timber plantations and secondary forests were similar to that of the primary forests, though in each case the timber plantations had significantly higher values compared to the secondary forests. Mean timber value of the plantations ($8577 ha−1) was significantly higher than both secondary ($1870 ha−1) and primary forests ($3112 ha−1). Contrary to our expectations, naturally regenerated trees (woody recruits) within the timber plantations had similar AGC levels, basal area, timber volume, and value compared to the secondary forests. Long-rotation tropical forest plantations under low-intensity management could achieve higher AGC levels and thus have higher climate change mitigation potential and timber values compared to naturally regenerated secondary forests, and are able to reach values similar to primary forests. Monoculture timber plantations could facilitate the successful colonization of their understoreys by native woody recruits that contribute considerably to stand AGC and timber values. Long-rotation forest plantations in the tropics therefore have a critical role to play in forest rehabilitation and climate change mitigation while having the potential to provide modest financial returns to landowners through selective harvesting of timber and/or payments for carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A comparative societal exergy analysis of Ghana and the United Kingdom is performed. • Ghana's projected 5 %/year economic growth requires primary energy growth of 2 %/year. • Energy efficiency measures are ineffective due to economy-wide feedbacks. • Energy intensity is not an appropriate metric for primary energy reduction goals. • Absolute decoupling of energy from gross domestic product appears mission impossible. To meet climate change mitigation objectives, international institutions have adopted targets aimed at reducing or ending growth of primary energy consumption. Simultaneously, continued economic growth is forecasted to meet human development goals. Together, declining energy consumption and rising gross domestic product (GDP) is called "absolute decoupling." However, absolute decoupling is unprecedented for the world economy as a whole (since at least 1971). Is absolute decoupling "Mission impossible?" Given the high stakes, we need a clearer understanding of the extent of future energy–GDP decoupling. To gain that understanding, we perform societal exergy analyses using a novel Physical Supply Use Table framework to assess historical and future trends of primary energy consumption and economic growth for one medium human development index country and one very high human development index country, Ghana and the United Kingdom (UK), respectively. Three key results are obtained. First, we find that it will be very difficult to absolutely decouple primary energy consumption from economic activity. This is particularly true for Ghana's rapidly growing economy, where projected economic growth of 5.0 %/year will require growth of primary energy consumption of around 2.0 %/year. It is also true for the UK, where at best primary energy consumption appears constant into the future to provide a projected GDP growth of 2.7 %/year. Second, we find that energy efficiency is not an effective means to reduce primary energy consumption and associated carbon dioxide emissions due to economy-wide feedback effects, placing greater importance on decarbonizing the primary energy supply. Third, we find primary energy intensity is not an appropriate metric to measure energy reduction progress, because meeting primary energy intensity targets does not ensure absolute decoupling will occur. At present, absolute decoupling appears to be mission impossible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]