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Transitioning to clean cooking fuels is not only part of achieving SDG7 but also makes a significant contribution to mitigating climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Research projects and pilots across a number of countries in Africa and South Asia have been exploring the suitability and energy performance of different cooking appliances and fuels. The paper presents the first statistical analysis across these multiple datasets to determine the range of energy required to cook dishes using different technologies and fuels. The paper draws out distinctions between African and Asian dishes, notably the impact of energy-intensive dishes prepared mostly in Africa. The paper demonstrates that the standard efficiency-based approaches to comparing the performance of stoves are not appropriate to modern electric cooking devices, so a novel alternative approach based on specific energy consumption and termed energy ratios is developed. Charcoal stoves are shown to use 15 times as much energy as electric pressure cookers (EPCs) to cook African dishes, and a detailed review of how the EPC works explains why this should be. Energy ratios provide a basis for estimating carbon emission reductions associated with transitioning to modern cooking fuels and also for estimating household cooking costs. Fuel and electricity prices from studies show that the cost of cooking with an EPC can be only 20% of the cost of cooking with charcoal, which highlights the potential for modern, energy-efficient electric cooking devices to defy the conventional wisdom of the energy ladder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unflinching upsurge in global warming has put the world into a state of disarray, and policymakers are not sure of what the future holds for the ecosystem. To get the global environment back on track of sustainability, efforts are relentlessly emanating from both developed and developing economies to identify the hindering and enhancing factors. Given the preceding narratives, this paper investigates the tripartite impacts of renewable and nonrenewable energy, trade openness, and institutions on sustainable environment in 54 African countries from 1996 to 2019. The study employs the two-step system generalized methods of moment (SYS-GMM) in estimating the effects of the regressors on four indicators of sustainable environment. Six findings are prominent from the study. First, nonrenewable energy (NRE) and trade openness (TO) hinder sustainable environment, while renewable energy enhances it. Second, the unconditional impacts of institutions drive the path to a sustainable environment. Third, the interaction of institutions with NRE and TO hinders sustainable environment. However, after conducting institutional enhancement estimations, the interactive terms became supportive of sustainable environment. Fourth, the thresholds are policy-relevant across the specifications. Specifically, a 31.11% utilization of nonrenewable energy and 43.75% openness to trade contribute to a sustainable environment. Sixth, the impacts of economic growth and its square empirically support the inverted U-shaped EKC. This study suggests the adoption of carbon-taxing on nonrenewable energy products, price-subsidization for renewable energy goods and services, and institutional quality reforms as pathways towards achieving a sustainable environment in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of economic growth has implications for carbon emissions and climate change. Achieving low carbon development is important for attaining the targets of the sustainable development goals. Africa is often described as a largely import-dependent continent. The continent also requires significant investment in information and communication technologies (ICT) and renewable energy to achieve low-carbon economic growth. However, empirical evidence on the joint impacts of imports of goods and services, clean energy use, ICT, and economic growth on carbon emissions in Africa is scanty and mixed. This paper investigated the impacts of information and communication technologies, renewable energy consumption, import and economic growth on carbon emissions by using rich data on total per capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, economic growth, import of goods and services, renewable energy consumption, fixed telephone subscriptions, mobile cellular subscriptions, and individuals using the internet in Africa (2001 ─ 2020) obtained from the World development indicators (WDI) database. Using the Panel autoregressive distributed lag model (PARDL), we found that mobile cellular subscriptions, and level of economic growth significantly increased per capita CO2 emissions in Africa in the long run while renewable energy consumption and technologies and import of goods and services significantly decreased per capita CO2 emissions in the long run. We conclude that information and communication technologies, level of economic growth, import of goods and services, and renewable energy consumption exert impacts on carbon emissions in Africa. Highlights: Achieving low-carbon development in Africa is possible. This research investigated the impacts of information and communication technologies, renewable energy consumption, import and economic growth on carbon emissions in Africa. This study utilized the Panel autoregressive distributed lag model and panel data from 31 African countries. The results shed new light on the emission reduction potential of renewable energy consumption and import of goods and services. The study also shows that ICTs increase carbon emissions in Africa. This article offers recommendations concerning carbon emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planning for the eventual electrification of transport in sub-Saharan Africa requires accurate simulation of its unique transport systems. The few studies that attempt to model electric minibus taxis—vehicles extensively used in sub-Saharan Africa's public transport systems—vary greatly in their results. This paper analyses, compares and corrects the only two existing studies that project energy consumption of electric minibus taxis in the region. One of the studies projected an energy consumption of 0.39 kWh/km, while the other projected 0.93 kWh/km. This paper carefully analyses the simulation tools and models and cumulatively applies corrections from the literature and scientific analyses. As a result, the discrepancy between the two simulation tools is eliminated for a given data input and a final energy consumption is estimated in the range of 0.49–0.52 kWh/km, depending on the input data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analysed the causal link between education, employment, renewable energy consumption and carbon emissions in Africa, where there is scant evidence. Relying on panel data obtained from the World Development Indicators for thirty-two African countries covering a period of 19 years, and five panel rigorous regression models, we found that renewable energy, investment in education, school enrolment, net national income per capita, and employment had negative and significant effects on carbon emission, thus increasing these predictors would result in significant reduction in carbon emission in Africa. We identified a bidirectional causality between carbon emissions and net national income per capita, education expenditure and renewable energy consumption, and carbon emissions and employment. Our findings suggest that investment in education, renewable energy, and employment are relevant in mitigating carbon emissions in Africa. We recommend African governments to invest heavily in education, improve school enrolment, environmental education, renewable energy and employment provision to mitigate carbon emissions. Highlights: • Achieving carbon neutrality in Africa is important. • This research investigated the impact of education, employment, and renewable energy consumption on carbon emissions in Africa. • This study utilized five panel regression models – fixed effect with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors, panel fixed effect model, random effect model, panel fully modified ordinary least square model, and panel canonical correlation analysis and panel data from 32 African countries. • The results shed new light on the emission reduction potential of renewable energy consumption, education expenditure, school enrolment, per capita income, and employment. • This article offers recommendations to attain carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the macro-financial externalities of environmental degradation in Africa. Specifically, we examine whether and how changes in non-renewable and renewable energy consumption affect financial instability in 35 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. We use an original econometric approach based on panel logit-probit models, as well as the bootstrap inference method for quantile regressions to explore the occurrence of systemic banking crises, as an indicator of extreme financial instability (from 1990 to 2018), and the quantile function of the banking sector stability index (Z-score), as a measure of different levels of banking instability (from 1990 to 2021). Empirical results support the climate fragility hypothesis by indicating that an increase in non-renewable and renewable energy consumption leads to a higher probability of systemic banking crises and a decrease in banking stability, especially in the lower quantiles (extreme instability). These results are mainly explained by the transition and physical risks in SSA related to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the energy consumption in conventional shea butter production processes and its impact on sustainability. The socio-cultural significance of shea butter extraction and the environmental challenges posed by the demand for firewood in the Shea belt are considered. The aim of this study is to review the existing research on energy consumption in conventional shea butter production processes and provide insights into reducing energy consumption while improving sustainability. The specific objectives are to analyse critical operations in the process and quantify their electricity, water, and heat demand. The study identifies grinding shea kernels into a paste, fat recovery, and oil clarification as the key operations regarding electricity, water, and heat demand, respectively. The conventional production process heavily relies on firewood as an energy source, consuming approximately 8–10 kWh of heat per kg of produced crude shea butter when improved cookstoves/roasters are used. However, the use of three-stone cookstoves can double or even quadruple the heat demand. Valorisation of shea butter process residues, such as kneading sludges, has the potential to cover 50% of the required heat and replace significant amounts of firewood. However, this approach necessitates careful process design and potentially alternative fuels from the residues to ensure efficient combustion and reduce smoke emissions. The conventional shea industry generates a considerable amount of by-products, yet no systematic and efficient valorisation scheme is currently implemented. By implementing improved cookstoves and developing a comprehensive valorisation strategy for process residues, significant reductions in energy consumption and environmental impact can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern Africa has a huge potential for renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal. However, electricity access remains a key policy issue for most member states, with a global average access to electricity of only 54% in 2019. This low electrification rate is a strong motivation for member states to increase renewable energy use and improve access to electricity for all. The goal of this paper was to present a literature review of methodologies, energy plans, and government programs that have been implemented by the Southern African Development Community member states to address the region's low average electrification rate and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The study presents the most commonly used methodologies for the integration of renewable energies into electrical systems, considering the main grid and distributed generation systems. LCOE minimization methodologies and software options, such as GIS, HOMER, LEAP, and EnergyPLAN, are the most common among the identified studies. The traditional method of electrifying by expanding the grid has not contributed to the eradication of energy poverty in rural areas. Therefore, to improve electricity access in Southern Africa, it is essential to consider off-grid solutions based on renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although energy supply is not the only factor of the production function, it remains an important driver for any economy despite its negative environmental impacts. This paper examines the determinants of carbon dioxide emissions in a sample of 35 African countries from 1980 to 2016. It uses several econometric methods to ensure robust and reliable findings. Results from Mean group (MG) and Dynamic common correlated effects mean group (DCCEMG) models prove that the environmental degradation in the selected sample is caused mostly by economic growth and non-renewable energy consumption. Moreover, the results confirm that the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis is not significant when consider cross sectional dependence. These finding are contradictive to those obtained from similar studies that used traditional panel estimators. This means that energy consumption and economic growth will continue to increase emissions in the future. Furthermore, the study provides evidence of bidirectional causal relationships between carbon dioxide emissions and economic growth, non-renewable energy consumption and economic growth and between non-renewable energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. These findings imply that a hard work must to be done by the African policymakers and a long corrective measure series have to be adopted to ensure more efficient and clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crafting systemic engineering fundamentals into a structured design model that includes demand definition, systemic design, and efficient operations enables the railway design process to achieve viable solutions. The design model incorporates types of efficiencies that are fundamental to successfully operating new railway systems. A relationship between the geometrical layout of the new track and the technical efficiency of the dynamic hauling process and fuel consumption was determined. New results were obtained from simulation work done on the operating efficiency of the crossing of trains, and cast new light on the traditional formulae used for track capacity. The effect of total systemic efficiency on the resultant cycle time and rolling stock fleet sizes is demonstrated in this paper. The rail tariff and the internal rate of return (IRR) are interlinked, and the effect of inefficiencies on the performance and returns of the new railway project is illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the nexus between greenhouse gas, financial development, energy consumption, trade and urbanization in 34 upper middle income countries from Asia, Europe, Africa and America (South and North) by using panel data from 2001 to 2014. Vector error correction model explored different results for different regions such as the causality of greenhouse gas for Europe and America; financial development for Asia; trade openness for Asia, Europe and America; and urbanization for Africa and America. The causality of greenhouse gas emission was bi-directional with urbanization in America and trade in Europe. The bi-directional causality of trade was observed with financial development in Asia and urbanization in Africa. The generalized method of moment and fully modified ordinary least square explored a direct association of per capita greenhouse gas emission with financial development in Europe; energy consumption in all panels, and renewable energy in Africa and America. But, the relationship of per capita emission was reciprocal with financial development in Asia, Africa and America; renewable energy in Europe; trade in Europe, Africa and America; and urbanization in Asia, Europe and America. The relationship of variables changes from region to region and country to country. A country-based reciprocal effect on per capita greenhouse gas was observed for financial development, renewable energy, trade openness and urbanization for different countries. This paper provides an insight to policy makers to re-structure the financial system, energy usage pattern, trade and urbanization in accordance with the cleaning of environment at country and regional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distribution networks in Southern Africa and elsewhere are witnessing an unprecedented growth of consumerside distributed generation (DG) courtesy of governmental interventions to maximise the utilisation of renewable energy resources through low-carbon grid-edge technologies. To deal with the increasing adoption of consumer-side DG, distribution network operators need to conduct technical studies to foster an understanding of the benefits and impacts of DG and the hosting capacity (HC) of existing distribution networks. This will aid the implementation of measures to manage grid exports. Using a distribution network in Namibia as a case study, this paper presents an algorithm for assessing the HC of consumer-side DG in existing distribution networks that are situated in areas anticipating high and uniform uptake of DG. The algorithm is a hybrid of deterministic and probabilistic methods. The uniqueness of the algorithm is the concept of calculating monthly HC. The algorithm was tested on a real existing residential distribution network and the results confirmed that HC varies monthly. However, the practical implementation of monthly HC requires upgrades to existing inverter technology, which currently contains a single export limit functionality. This opens the possibility to drive innovation in the inverter technology to develop a date-based multiple export limit functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this study is to examine the effect of energy consumption, energy intensity, energy prices on the financial development of some selected top oil exporting countries in Africa. The study takes the period from 1976 until 2019 for the analysis. Both the cross-sectional and the homogeneity tests confirmed the presence of cross-sectional dependency and heterogeneity across the panel data set. Likewise, the dynamic and heterogeneous co-integration result reveals the presence of long run relationship among the scrutinized variables. The estimation result further indicates that both the energy intensity and energy use positively relate with the financial development of the sampled economies, while energy price indicates a negative relationship towards financial development. In addition, the causality results by Dumitrescu and Hurlin causality shows a unidirectional causal relationship from energy use to financial development. It also indicates another one-way causal linkage from energy intensity to financial development. Meanwhile, there exists a feedback causal effect between energy price and the financial development for all the sampled economies. In the last section of the paper, the analysis makes available policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise in global food insecurity, pollution, and wildlife extinction caused by climate change, development policies are now tailored toward addressing this quagmire. However, the unresolved question is, are climate-related development finances effective in greening the environment in developing countries? In this milieu, this study assessed the effectiveness of climate-related development finances and renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions in Africa by applying the system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation technique on data from 2000 to 2020 for 41 selected countries. The findings show that the overall climate-related development finances, adaptation-related development finances, and mitigation-related development finances have short-run carbon-enhancing and long-run carbon-reducing effects in Africa. Similarly, renewable energy consumption and the net inflows of foreign direct investment have short-run worsening and long-run carbon-abatement effects in Africa. In contrast, higher GDP per capita, urbanization, and higher energy intensity are effective in reducing CO2 emissions in Africa only in the short run, however, they exacerbate CO2 emissions in Africa over the long run. In this light, the study underscores the need to invest heavily in climate-related development projects, and green technology innovation and production in Africa. The results also suggest the need to upgrade the current energy structure in Africa to renewable energy sources for a greener, cleaner, and brighter Africa. However, these policy perspectives require enough funds for effective implementation. Hence, the study calls on the developed countries (the polluters) to support Africa with the required funds to pay off climate debt by 2030 and build climate-resilient practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper is dedicated to explore the dynamic performance of energy efficiency in Africa, with panel data in country level, taking energy yield, power consumption, electricity transmission and distribution losses into account, the paper employ stochastic frontier mode,highlighting a dummy variable in energy output in terms of net imports of energy and power, which minify the deviation of estimated variables. The results show that returns of scale did not appear in energy and power industry in Africa, electricity transmission and distribution losses contribute most to GDP per unit of energy. In country level, Republic of Congo and Botswana suggest an obvious energy efficiency advantage. Energy efficiency in Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo are not very satisfying during the studying year [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Indoor air pollution from solid fuel use is a significant risk factor for acute lower respiratory infections among children in sub-Saharan Africa. Interventions that promote a switch to modern fuels hold a large health promise, but their effective design and implementation require an understanding of the web of upstream and proximal determinants of household fuel use. Using Demographic and Health Survey data for Benin, Kenya and Ethiopia together with Bayesian hierarchical and spatial modelling, this paper quantifies the impact of household-level factors on cooking fuel choice, assesses variation between communities and districts and discusses the likely nature of contextual effects. Household- and area-level characteristics appear to interact as determinants of cooking fuel choice. In all three countries, wealth and the educational attainment of women and men emerge as important; the nature of area-level factors varies between countries. In Benin, a two-level model with spatial community random effects best explains the data, pointing to an environmental explanation. In Ethiopia and Kenya, a three-level model with unstructured community and district random effects is selected, implying relatively autonomous economic and social areas. Area-level heterogeneity, indicated by large median odds ratios, appears to be responsible for a greater share of variation in the data than household-level factors. This may be an indication that fuel choice is to a considerable extent supply-driven rather than demand-driven. Consequently, interventions to promote fuel switching will carefully need to assess supply-side limitations and devise appropriate policy and programmatic approaches to overcome them. To our knowledge, this paper represents the first attempt to model the determinants of solid fuel use, highlighting socio-economic differences between households and, notably, the dramatic influence of contextual effects. It illustrates the potential that multilevel and spatial modelling approaches hold for understanding determinants of major public health problems in the developing world. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Africa is the single largest continental source of biomass burning emissions. Here we conduct the first analysis of one full year of geostationary active fire detections and fire radiative power data recorded over Africa at 15-mm temporal interval and a 3 km sub-satellite spatial resolution by the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) imaging radiometer onboard the Meteosat-8 satellite. We use these data to provide new insights into the rates and totals of open biomass burning over Africa, particularly into the extremely strong seasonal and diurnal cycles that exist across the continent. We estimate peak daily biomass combustion totals to be 9 and 6 million tonnes of fuel per day in the northern and southern hemispheres respectively, and total fuel consumption between February 2004 and January 2005 is estimated to be at least 855 million tonnes. Analysis is carried out with regard to fire pixel temporal persistence, and we note that the majority of African fires are detected only once in consecutive 15 mm imaging slots. An investigation of the variability of the diurnal fire cycle is carried out with respect to 20 different land cover types, and whilst differences are noted between land covers, the fire diurnal cycle characteristics for most land cover type are very similar in both African hemispheres. We compare the Fire Radiative Power (FRP) derived biomass combustion estimates to burned-areas, both at the scale of individual fires and over the entire continent at a 1-degree scale. Fuel consumption estimates are found to be less than 2 kg/m² for all land cover types noted to be subject to significant fire activity, and for savanna grasslands where literature values are commonly reported the FRP-derived median fuel consumption estimate of 300 g/m² is well within commonly quoted values. Meteosat-derived FRP data of the type presented here is now available freely to interested users continuously and in near real-time for Africa, Europe and parts of South America via the EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) Land Surface Analysis Satellite Applications Facility (http://landsaf.meteo.ptl). Continuous generation of these products will allow the types of analysis presented in this paper to be improved and extended, and such multi-year records should allow relationships between climate, fire and fuel to be further examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of gendered energy transition at an urban scale has emerged as a challenging issue for researchers, policy makers and practitioners. With municipalities becoming players in the energy markets, their involvement raises policy issues that need to be better assessed in supporting gendered energy transition. This paper, therefore, contributes to gendered energy transition assessments at urban household level from a policy maker perspective. We developed a system dynamics model to assess the effects of urban energy policy interventions on household energy consumption and gendered measures using Drakenstein Municipality as a case study. The study used secondary data from various sources for the model parameters. We tested three hypothetical policy scenarios: the business-as-usual, the energy subsidy policy and the energy efficiency policy. The results show that understanding the changes in urban household energy consumption and gendered measures due to energy transition interventions is essential for urban policy planning. The energy subsidy policy scenario was observed to increase total energy consumption but also resulted in socio-environmental impacts that might increase inequality and impair human health. Urban household energy transition interventions need to consider a systems approach to develop decision support tools that capture the cross-sector impacts and inform the development of interventions that promote gendered household energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to achieve shared prosperity or inclusive growth, we investigate whether increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to Africa can foster sustainable development (inclusive growth). Additionally, as the region is endowed with renewable energy, we examine whether renewable energy consumption can directly enhance inclusive growth and (or) complement FDI to enhance inclusive growth. Using 30 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for 21years for the period of 2000–2020, our Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) results suggest that FDI is inclusive growth-enhancing, whereas renewable energy hampers inclusive growth. The high cost of renewable energy technologies in developing countries, such as SSA, has led to low investment in these resources, thereby explaining how renewable energy hampers inclusive growth. However, renewable energy consumption is effective in promoting the impact of FDI on inclusive growth in SSA. This is attributed to the investment opportunities in renewable energy consumption in SSA, thereby attracting foreign investors. Globally, renewable energy received about $85.2 billion in FDI in 2022, promoting job creation, revenue growth, and affordable energy access. We suggest that policymakers should attract sufficient FDI because higher levels of FDI promote inclusive growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonrenewable energy makes up a sizeable portion of Africa's gross domestic product. The continent heavily relies on nonrenewable energy sources, such as gasoline, for industrial and commercial uses, which helps it expand and develop, especially in oil-producing nations. Incorporating nonrenewable energies when analyzing the relative effects of renewable energy consumption and economic growth on environmental quality is paramount. The transition to renewable energy has been identified as a contributing factor in clean energy and sustainable development, but the consumption of renewable energy in Africa is negligible. This study employed panel threshold regression and covered data from 1990 to 2019, and examined the non-linear relationship between renewable energy consumption, economic growth, and environmental quality. According to the study's findings, the consumption of renewable energy has a nonlinearly negative relationship with carbon emission proxied environmental quality. The relationship between environmental quality and economic growth was also shown to be nonlinearly positive, pointing to the dominance of nonrenewable resources in the African industry. The report recommends an effective policy for boosting the use of renewable energy sources in order to support clean energy and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In hot climates, such as sub-Sahara Africa, window sizing and orientation pose challenges as they add, through solar insolation, to the building cooling energy demand and thus the cause of indoor overheating risk. This risk can be reduced through passive building-design-integrated measures, e.g., optimizing the window size, orientation and solar shading strategies. Through an IDA-ICE building performance simulation tool, the current study explores the impact of window size, optimization and building-integrated PV panels as shading strategies on cooling energy demands in three cities (Niamey, Nairobi and Harare) in sub-Sahara Africa. Results show that thermal comfort and cooling energy demand are sensitive to a window-to-wall ratio (WWR) > 70%, while the need for artificial lighting is negligible for a WWR > 50%, particularly in the north for cities in the Southern hemisphere and the south in the Northern hemisphere. A WWR > 70% in the east and west should be avoided unless shading devices are incorporated. Internal blinds perform better in improving occupant thermal comfort but increase artificial lighting while integrating PV panels, as external shading overhangs reduce cooling energy but also produce energy that can be utilized for building services, such as air conditioning. In this study, the results and implications of the optimization of window size, orientation and building-integrated shading and operation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in environmental innovation in Africa during 1990–2019. It utilizes the endogenous growth theory to specify an innovation production function, estimated using the seemingly unrelated regression (SURE) method. The study employs four indicators of environmental innovation and also controls for the influence of resource abundance. Key findings from the study show evidence that FDI inflow enhances environmental innovation practices by improving resource efficiency outcomes. In particular, FDI is found to reduce greenhouse gas emission intensity of output and carbon intensity of energy. Further, the effect of FDI on resource utilization and energy productivity is insignificant. Estimates confirm the learning and imitation, and demonstration effects of FDI on resource utilization, though the formal effect is detrimental. The labour market effect is revealed to promote resource efficiency, while resource abundance plays negligible role in environmental innovation in all models. Policy implications are derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first top-down CO fire emissions inventory for Africa based on the direct relation between geostationary satellite-based fire radiative power (FRP) observations and polar-orbiting satellite observations of total column carbon monoxide (TCCO). This work significantly extends the previous Fire Radiative Energy Emissions (FREM) approach that derived total particulate matter (TPM) emission coefficients from FRP and aerosol optical depth (AOD) observations. The use of satellite-based CO observations to derive biome-specific CO emission coefficients, ECCOb , addresses key uncertainties in the use of AOD observations to estimate fire-generated CO emissions including the requirement for a smoke mass extinction coefficient in the AOD to TPM conversion and the large variation in TPM emission factors – which are used to convert TPM emissions to CO emissions. We use the FREM-derived CO emission coefficients to produce a pan-African CO fire emission inventory spanning 2004 to 2019. Regional CO emissions are in close agreement with the most recent version of GFED(v4.1s), despite the two inventories using completely different satellite datasets and methodologies. Dry matter consumed (DMC) and DMC per unit burned area are generated from our CO emission inventory – the latter using the 20 m resolution Sentinel-2 FireCCISFD burnt area (BA) product for 2019. We carry out an evaluation of our FREM-based CO emissions by using them as input in the WRF-CMAQ chemical transport model and comparing simulated TCCO fields to independent Sentinel-5P TROPOMI TCCO observations. The results of this evaluation show FREM CO emissions to generally be in good agreement with these independent measures – particularly in the case of individual fire-generated CO plumes, where modelled in-plume CO was within 5 % of satellite observations with a coefficient of determination of 0.80. Modelled and observed total CO, aggregated over the full model domain, are within 4 % of each other, though localised regions show an overestimation of modelled CO by up to 50 %. When compared to other evaluations of current state-of-the-art fire emissions inventories, the FREM CO emission inventory derived in this work shows some of the best agreement with independent observations. Updates to previously published FREM TPM emissions coefficients based on this methodology are also provided, along with a similar evaluation as conducted for CO. The methodology described in this work is forming the basis of a forthcoming near-real-time fire emissions product from Meteosat to be issued by the EUMETSAT LSA SAF (https://landsaf.ipma.pt/en/ , last access: 19 December 2022). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fight against global climate change, improving energy efficiency and reducing related emissions are critical to mitigating sustainability issues such as global warming. In this regard, technological progress is known to improve energy efficiency and reduce related emissions. However, previous sustainability studies on Africa have paid less attention to energy and emission efficiency convergence among countries, along with the contribution of technological progress to the continent's sustainability. Accordingly, this paper develops a novel framework that assesses energy and emission efficiency convergence, gauges technology inequality, identifies the barriers to technology diffusion, and explores the factors influencing energy and emission efficiency convergence in Africa. The proposed framework incorporates Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), several economic convergence concepts, a K-means clustering model, the concept of efficiency Gini coefficient, and a group-based inequality decomposition method. We empirically covered 39 African countries from 2006 to 2018. The results show that African countries are, on average, 71.1% energy efficient and 65.3% CO 2 emission efficient, leaving more room for energy saving and emissions reduction. Second, there is strong evidence of convergence in energy and emission efficiencies in Africa. Third, despite the observed convergence process, there is significant heterogeneity between two research groups (i.e., low-and high-efficiency groups of countries) in terms of energy and emission efficiencies, with persistent technology inequality suggesting a lower contribution of environmental technological advancements to the continent's sustainability. Furthermore, cross-group inequality is the primary barrier to technology diffusion. Fourth, regional cooperation accelerates the convergence process in the two efficiency indicators. While economic development, industrial structure, and renewable energy consumption (REC) tend to favor energy and emission efficiency growth, rising foreign direct investment (FDI) and energy prices have a negative impact. Meanwhile, the effects of energy prices, FDI, and REC on emission efficiency are insignificant. Based on our findings, we discussed policy implications to promote energy and emission efficiency convergence and narrow environmental technology gaps. • Convergence in Total-factor energy and emission efficiency in Africa is explored. • Technology inequality across African countries is measured. • There is strong evidence of convergence in TFEE and TFCEE in Africa. • A persistent technology inequality is found among African countries. • Cross-group efficiency inequality is the main barrier to technology diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the residential sector consumes a significant amount of energy. Therefore, bioclimatic architectural systems which consider passive solutions should be studied, analyzed, and implemented to reduce energy consumption. This review aims to promote thermal comfort in African countries by using passive solar systems. It begins with the keyword thermal comfort and then reviews articles published over the last ten years that consider bioclimatic architecture and construction strategies in Africa, the main trends in scientific research in this field, and the possibilities for each climate zone in achieving the highest degree of climate comfort. Following an extensive review, certain bioclimatic architectural strategies adopted in specific countries can be applied in countries with similar climates and this can contribute to significant energy savings through effective functional solar and ventilation design strategies. Several countries have been identified as having the most significant publications on thermal regulations in buildings, and the associated regulations and projects are discussed. Several studies have also examined static and adaptive models of thermal comfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study contributes towards the realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 which aims "take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts" by investigating the role of per capita income in moderating the impact of energy use on carbon emissions. Using data from 28 selected African countries covering 1990 to 2019 and deploying the FGLS, PCSE, and MM-QR techniques, findings reveal, among others, that: at the 1% significance level, a percentage change in energy use leads to between 0.60% and 0.70% increase in carbon emissions, on average, ceteris paribus. Correspondingly, income shows to be a positive driver of emissions contributing between 0.87% and 0.84% percentage increase, on average, ceteris paribus. Also, per capita income attenuates the impact of energy use on emissions by between -0.27% and -0.23%, on average, ceteris paribus. However, significant heterogeneities occur across the sub-regions. Specifically, Southern Africa shows the largest energy contributor to emissions 1.65% while Central Africa contributes the most to aggravating emissions by 1.87% through increase in per capita income. West Africa shows the largest moderation effect at -0.56%. Across the quartiles, the effects of energy use and per capita are positive. Given these, we submit that the strong correlation between energy usage and per capita income (i.e. economic growth) poses a dilemma for African economies in their drive for growth. Leaving room for trade-offs. Perhaps, the lesson is that as African countries seek for more development without contributing to carbon emissions, governments should invest more in renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are very few African regional inventories providing biofuel and fossil fuel emissions. Within the framework of the DACCIWA project, we have developed an African regional anthropogenic emission inventory including the main African polluting sources (wood and charcoal burning, charcoal making, trucks, cars, buses and two-wheeled vehicles, open waste burning, and flaring). To this end, a database on fuel consumption and emission factors specific to Africa was established using the most recent measurements. New spatial proxies (road network, power plant geographical coordinates) were used to convert national emissions into gridded inventories at a 0.1 ∘ × 0.1 ∘ spatial resolution. This inventory includes carbonaceous particles (black and organic carbon) and gaseous species (CO, NO x , SO 2 and NMVOCs) for the period 1990–2015 with a yearly temporal resolution. We show that all pollutant emissions are globally increasing in Africa during the period 1990–2015 with a growth rate of 95 %, 86 %, 113 %, 112 %, 97 % and 130 % for BC, OC, NO x , CO, SO 2 and NMVOCs, respectively. We also show that Western Africa is the highest emitting region of BC, OC, CO and NMVOCs, followed by Eastern Africa, largely due to domestic fire and traffic activities, while Southern Africa and Northern Africa are the highest emitting regions of SO 2 and NO x due to industrial and power plant sources. Emissions from this inventory are compared to other regional and global inventories, and the emissions uncertainties are quantified by a Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, this inventory highlights key pollutant emission sectors in which mitigation scenarios should focus on. The DACCIWA inventory (10.25326/56, Keita et al., 2020) including the annual gridded emission inventory for Africa for the period 1990–2015 is distributed by the Emissions of atmospheric Compounds and Compilation of Ancillary Data (ECCAD) system (https://eccad.aeris-data.fr/ , last access: 19 July 2021​​​​​​​). For review purposes, ECCAD has set up an anonymous repository where subsets of the DACCIWA data can be accessed directly through https://www..obs-mip.fr/eccad/essd-surf-emis-dacciwa/ (last access: 19 July 2021). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy needs are growing in Africa. The continent is rich in renewable energy resources, and the majority of countries are willing to change their energy regime by moving to the development and increased use of renewable energy. Increasing the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix is one way to improve the quality of economic growth. However, although economic growth has improved in Africa, it has not necessarily translated into sustained poverty reduction and equitable sharing. It is therefore important that the benefits of modern and renewable energy are captured by all. In that perspective, this research aims to explore the potential impact of renewable energy consumption on inclusive growth in 44 African countries. To do this, a dynamic panel data model is estimated with the System Generalized Method of Moments for a period covering 1991–2015. Focusing on inclusive growth that increases the size of the economy and creates employment opportunities for different segments of society, the main finding of the study is that renewable energy consumption has a significant positive impact on inclusive growth in Africa, particularly in African countries experiencing low levels of inclusive growth. Thus, if African countries succeed in making the transition to renewable energy effective, then incredible gains in inclusive growth could be captured, especially in countries with low levels of inclusive growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions, fossil energy use and economic development, arguing that human development is not responsible for carbon dioxide emissions. To address the mechanism through which the latter relationship operates, a recursive system of three equations is estimated. The empirical results for a sample of 41 Sub-Saharan African countries observed over the period from 1990 to 2013 support our reasoning. Specifically, contrary to causality analyses which imply economic growth causing pollution, our recursive analysis indicates that greenhouse gas emissions are direct consequences of fossil energy use. Thus, economic growth is not to blame for carbon dioxide emissions. In terms of environmental policy for African countries, this study encourages efforts towards less polluting and renewable energies supply as well as investments in energy efficient technologies. • Human development requires energy, even so at early stages of economic development. • In SSA, increasing fossil energy use coincides with decreasing renewable energy use. • The CO 2 emissions, energy and development relationship as a recursive mechanism. • Economic growth and human well-being are not to blame for GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the quest for economic and social prosperity, countries all over the world are constantly engaged in energy consumption to propel development. The utilization of energy emits dangerous greenhouse gases which have adverse impact on human health and the entire ecosystem. Finding the trade‐off that exists between economic growth and environmental protection is essential nowadays. Previous energy efficiency studies in Africa have focused on static efficiency and ignoring dynamic implications of crossover factors in productivity. Those studies in Africa have also failed to capture energy efficiency trends and patterns over time. Therefore, the current study applies the dynamic slack‐based measure (DSBM) in a data envelopment analysis (DEA) framework to assess the dynamic energy efficiency of 25 sampled African economies from 2007 to 2014 by adopting energy stock as carryover factors. Further, the study investigates the inputs, output, and carryover factors inefficiency in the model to identify the potential areas where inefficiencies occurred. The empirical results suggest that these selected African countries are far from being energy efficient (0.519). Therefore, both adjustments and projections on the inputs, output, and carryover variables should be taken into account, to improve efficiency. Finally, useful suggestions for energy efficiency improvement are further discussed based on the empirical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale fire emission estimates may be influenced by the spatial resolution of the model and input datasets used. Especially in areas with relatively heterogeneous land cover, a coarse model resolution might lead to substantial errors in estimates. We developed a model using MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite observations of burned area and vegetation characteristics to study the impact of spatial resolution on modelled fire emission estimates. We estimated fire emissions for sub-Saharan Africa at 500 m spatial resolution (native MODIS burned area) for the 2002–2017 period, using a simplified version of the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED) modelling framework, and compared this to model runs at a range of coarser resolutions (0.050, 0.125, 0.250 ∘). We estimated fire emissions of 0.68 Pg C yr -1 at 500 m resolution and 0.82 Pg C yr -1 at 0.25 ∘ resolution; a difference of 24 %. At 0.25 ∘ resolution, our model results were relatively similar to GFED4, which also runs at 0.25 ∘ resolution, whereas our 500 m estimates were substantially lower. We found that lower emissions at finer resolutions are mainly the result of reduced representation errors when comparing modelled estimates of fuel load and consumption to field measurements, as part of the model calibration. Additional errors stem from the model simulation at coarse resolution and lead to an additional 0.02 Pg C yr -1 difference in estimates. These errors exist due to the aggregation of quantitative and qualitative model input data; the average- or majority- aggregated values are propagated in the coarse-resolution simulation and affect the model parameterization and the final result. We identified at least three error mechanisms responsible for the differences in estimates between 500 m and 0.25 ∘ resolution simulations, besides those stemming from representation errors in the calibration process, namely (1) biome misclassification leading to errors in parameterization, (2) errors due to the averaging of input data and the associated reduction in variability, and (3) a temporal mechanism related to the aggregation of burned area in particular. Even though these mechanisms largely neutralized each other and only modestly affect estimates at a continental scale, they lead to substantial error at regional scales with deviations of up to a factor 4 and may affect large-scale estimates differently for other continents. These findings could prove valuable in improving coarse-resolution models and suggest the need for increased spatial resolution in global fire emission models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly 40% of the world population use biomass as their primary energy source, especially for cooking; but traditional and inefficient three-stone fires cause serious health issues and their high fuel consumption leads to deforestation problems. Ethiopian cuisine is mainly based on vegetable and meat dishes in the form of a thick stew, served on top of injera, a large sourdough flatbread made out of fermented teff flour. Injera is known for its energy intensive and time consuming baking. It has remained rarely researched for alternative energy sources, although some improved biomass firing stoves have been introduced in the Ethiopian market. Thus, there is a need for a new efficient and clean stove that can drastically reduce the fuel consumption, emissions and indoor air pollution. In the present manuscript, the first injera biomass gasification baking stove is presented and its performance reported. A thermal efficiency of 16% is achieved, the specific fuel consumption is reduced by 12.8% , and baking time reduced by 19% compared with the three-stone fire. CO (Carbon Monoxide) and PM (Particulate matter) emissions are reduced, compared to the three-stone fire, by 99% and 87%, respectively. Heat losses and stored heat in the system are also calculated. Results show that it is possible to increase the efficiency and reduce the fuel consumption if the insulation is improved, the heating up time between consecutive baked injeras reduced and longer injera baking sessions, like in community kitchens, promoted. This first successful attempt to bake injera using a biomass gasifier stove in the eastern part of Africa shows promising result and can lead to an efficient and clean biomass gasifier stove that could be widely disseminated for injera baking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global population is moving away from fossil fuel technologies due to their many disadvantages, such as air pollution, greenhouse gases emission, global warming, acid rain, health problems, and high costs. These disadvantages make fossil fuels unsustainable. As a result, renewable energy is becoming more attractive due to its steadily decreasing costs. Harnessing renewable energy promises to meet the present energy demands of the African continent. The enormous renewable energy potential available across the African continent remains largely untapped, especially for wind energy. However, marginal and fair wind speeds and power densities characterize African wind energy resulting in low and unsustainable power in many areas. This research develops a techno-economic model for wind energy cost analysis for a novel, Ferris wheel-based wind turbine. The model is used to techno-economically analyze the siting of wind turbine sites in low wind speed areas on the African continent. The wind turbine's technical performance is characterized by calculating the annual energy production and the capacity factor using the wind Weibull probability distribution of the cities and theoretical power curve of the wind turbine. Its economic performance is evaluated using annualized financial return on investment, simple payback period, and levelized cost of electricity. The techno-economic model is validated for 21 African cities and shows that the Ferris wheel-based design is very competitive with four current, commercial wind turbines, as well as with other sources of energy. Hence, the new wind turbine may help provide the economical, clean, renewable energy that Africa needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the role of economic well-being and economic freedom as drivers of renewable energy consumption using the share of renewables in total energy consumption in Africa. To achieve this, the study employs a panel data of 32 African countries over the period 1996-2017. To deal with identification challenges associated with panel time-series data, we use the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares econometric technique. As part of our findings, first, we have evidence that increasing economic well-being in Africa increases the share of renewables in total energy consumption to a point after which it turns negative (inverted U shape). Second, the disaggregated measures of economic freedom show that both property rights and tax burden decrease the share of renewables in total energy consumption. On the contrary, an increase in trade freedom and business freedom measures increases the share of renewables in total energy consumption. Toward the goal of promoting access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030, governments in Africa should actively encourage trade freedom and business freedom to enhance the share of renewable energy consumption. Similarly, reducing the tax burden will promote the share of renewable energy consumption. Likewise, we call for further investigation into our evidence of a negative relationship between property rights and the share of renewables in total energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work explores the application of the Water-Energy Nexus concept for water supply in the African context, where its operationalization is quite limited compared to developed regions. Furthermore, water supply and demand drivers and their influence on energy use are examined. This study found that there is limited literature available on the operationalization of the concept, and energy use is not considered a key performance indicator by water regulators and utilities. Regionally, most of the studies were carried out in the northern and southern Africa, where energy demand for water supply through desalination is high. An analysis of water supply and demand drivers show diminishing quantities of available freshwater, and increased anthropogenic pollutant loads in some areas are projected. Consequently, utilities will likely consider alternative energy-intensive water supply options. Increased population growth with the highest global urban growth rate is projected, with about 60% of the total population in Africa as urban dwellers by 2050. This implies huge growth in water demand that calls for investment in technology, infrastructure, and improved understanding of energy use and optimization, as the largest controllable input within utilities boundaries. However, it requires a data-driven understanding of the operational drivers for water supply and incorporation of energy assessment metrics to inform water-energy policies and to exploit the nexus opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Africa, energy plays an important role in the processes of economic and sustainable development. However, inefficiency such as mismanagement of resources constrains productivity. Prior energy efficiency studies in Africa have failed to provide the paths through which energy efficiency improvement can be achieved. The current study aims to assess energy efficiency improvement among 25 selected countries in Africa. First, the dynamic slack-based measure (DSBM) data envelopment analysis (DEA) model is applied to gauge the efficiency measurement. Further, the Malmquist productivity index (MPI) is employed to investigate the energy efficiency improvement during 2006–2014. Empirically, the results from the dynamic slack-based measure (DSBM) model show that energy efficiency in Africa is generally low. Also, the findings from the MPI suggest there is no significant improvement in energy efficiency in Africa. Based on the estimated results, some energy efficiency improvement strategies are further proposed for sample countries in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic source emission inventories for the rapidly growing West African urban cities are necessary for better characterization of local vehicle emissions released into the atmosphere of these cities. This study is based on local field measurements in Yopougon (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire) in 2016; a site representative of anthropogenic activities in West African cities. The measurements provided data on vehicle type and age, traveling time, fuel type, and estimated amount of fuel consumption. The data revealed high traffic flow of personal cars on highways, boulevards, and backstreets, whereas high flows of intra-communal sedan taxis were observed on main and secondary roads. In addition, the highest daily fuel consumption value of 56 L·day−1 was recorded for heavy vehicles, while the lowest value of 15 L·day−1 was recorded for personal cars using gasoline. This study is important for the improvement of uncertainties related to the different databases used to estimate emissions either in national or international reports. This work provides useful information for future studies on urban air quality, climate, and health impact assessments in African cities. It may also be useful for policy makers to support implementation of emission reduction policies in West African cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]