Ghana's energy transition must ensure equitable outcomes for citizens — Experts

Ghana has several climate change initiatives focused on renewable energy, reducing deforestation, clean cooking adoption, low-carbon power generation, and climate resilience building.

The country's efforts towards a fair energy transition are directed by three key policy documents - its updated Nationally Determined Contributions for 2020-2030, commitments from Conference of Parties agreements, and the newly released National Energy Transition Framework.

These administrative guides outline Ghana's strategies for tackling climate change through sustainable and inclusive development in the energy sector.

At a national stakeholder dialogue convened at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Wednesday, May 29, experts emphasized that the transition must deliver equitable outcomes for all Ghanaians.

"As we transition away from a fossil fuel-dependent economy to a green economy, our contribution to climate change and its effects will be minimized," said Dr. Steve Manteaw, co-chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative.

"More importantly, we must ensure all regions and societies fairly benefit from this transition," he added.

The dialogue, organized by Climate Strategies and STEMinist Foundation, aimed to facilitate conversations around centring workers in the transition towards a regenerative economy and enhance understanding of stakeholders' perspectives, interests, and contributions.

Harnessing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Just Transition Work Programme could also help achieve equitable outcomes, according to Nerissa Anku of Global Greengrants Fund who hosted the event.

According to Dr. Manteaw, a just transition approach will be paramount given "the fact that a time will come when markets may no longer exist for oil...if the whole world is moving away from fossil fuels."

The event brought together experts from government, civil society and the private sector.

“The stakeholders' input will be sent to the UNFCCC through Climate Strategies. It will be added to the UNFCCC’s Just Transition Work Programme to be reviewed at COP 29 in Azerbaijan,” said Nerrisa Anku.

More on Ghana’s Just Transition:

To achieve its NDCs over the next decade, the country has developed 19 policy actions across 10 priority areas which focus on establishing emissions reduction targets, creating green jobs, improving air quality, and benefiting youth and women.

The policies incorporate 13 adaptation measures and 34 mitigation programs.

Their implementation from 2020 to 2030 is estimated to require total investments between $9.3 to $15.5 billion.

Ghana's National Energy Transition Framework (NETF) presents a comprehensive plan to attain net zero carbon emissions from energy use by 2060 which builds upon earlier targets set for 2070, demonstrating Ghana’s heightened climate ambition.

It emphasizes the need to engage international support and investors to drive sustainable development goals and job opportunities within Ghana's economy.

Coordinated efforts from government, the private sector, civil society, and global partners are said to be crucial to effectively surmounting decarbonization barriers.

The country has also endorsed various agreements under the Conference of Parties (COP), including the United Arab Emirates' Just Transition Work Programme.

This initiative aims to facilitate equitable transitions to low-carbon, resilient futures that reduce inequalities within and between nations.