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Africa’s Leaders Say Rich Countries Should Quit Oil and Gas First


A rapid transition is crucial in the global fight against climate change. But not only is this particularly costly in poor countries, many African countries have an abundance of natural gas or other fossil fuels, and they vehemently argue that the rest of the world has no right to tell them not to use it.

Proven Crude oil reserves on the African continent more than one hundred billion barrels in total covering eleven countries, Libya and Nigeria are among the top 10 producers in the world. The region is also rich in gas: Combined, Nigeria, Algeria and Mozambique 6% of the world’s natural gas reserves.

As world leaders meet at COP26 in Glasgow, some African leaders and activists are for the first time vocally opposing a faster turn to renewable energy for their country. Instead, they’re pushing for a slower transition to embrace continued reliance on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, which burns cleaner than coal or oil but still pumps planet-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Their call comes at a strange time.

This year alone, scientists and researchers have published numerous reports showing the climate damage done by the widespread burning of fossil fuels over the decades. Scientific findings highlight the urgency of the world’s shift to cleaner energy to prevent global temperatures from rising 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times, a goal set by the Paris agreement between countries to slow climate change.

Beyond this temperature threshold, the risk of catastrophes such as deadly heat waves, water shortages and ecosystem collapse increases sharply, the scientists say.

But analysts here say that to achieve that goal and prevent the worst climate disasters, African countries should be financially supported by wealthier nations as they look for alternative ways to reduce emissions. Gwemende said that when the time comes, developed countries should transfer their know-how on renewable energy to Africa.



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