Over the years, climate change has significantly threatened human lives and livelihoods. In August 2005, the United States of America witnessed one of the world’s most dangerous natural disasters, as Hurricane Katrina caused 1,392 fatalities and damages worth $125 billion.
Though climate change wasn’t the primary cause of the tragic incident, subsequent reports by the Environmental Defence Fund (EDF) revealed it played a significant role by intensifying storm surges.
Similarly, in 2003, an estimated 70,000 people across Europe, especially France, lost their lives to the European Heat Wave, which was partly triggered by human-induced climate change.
The Horn of Africa Drought (2011-2012), which affected over 13 million people; Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in 2013, which claimed over 6,300 lives in the Philippines; and Australia’s Bushfires in 2012-2013, which burned more than 100,000 hectares of land were all linked to climate change by some studies.
Global Response and the Paris Agreement
Seeing the deadly effects, leaders and governments worldwide drove into action, seeking ways to protect their people from further destruction.
In 2015, the United States and 195 countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) signed a Paris Climate Agreement — a program aimed at reducing global warming to just 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Each participating country agreed to submit an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) every five years. In the NDC, governments explain how they intend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their respective countries.
Developed nations pledged to donate $100 billion annually to help developing countries implement green energy and adapt to climate impacts as part of their commitment to the agreement.
Thanks to the Paris Climate Agreement and other related initiatives, global greenhouse gas emission rates decreased by approximately 7% in 2020. However, a recent turn of events could jeopardise this progress and put some developing countries at risk.
The Recent Setbacks in the Fight against Climate Change
The world’s dream of achieving a climate-friendly atmosphere suffered a significant setback following the United States and France’s policy reversals.
On January 20, 2025, newly inaugurated United States President Donald Trump ordered the country’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement as part of his policy to put “America first in international environmental agreements.”
This marks the second time the U.S. has pulled out of the agreement, after a similar withdrawal during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2020. The decision was said to have been driven by his concern about economic competitiveness and the welfare of the country’s fossil fuel industry.
Apart from withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, President Trump also seeks to reduce the United States financial support to countries tackling climate change and its effects. This reduction would amount to approximately $11.4 billion annually, the U.S. commitment under the Biden administration.
Hence, this move will affect the UN’s vision of providing a more conducive world for everyone and slow down the progress made by developing countries in their quest for lower gas emissions.
When we thought that was the worst that could happen, France broke yet another discouraging news as the government decided to revise its energy plan.
According to reports from French media outlets, President Emmanuel Macron will soften the country’s stance on fossil fuel power generation to address energy security concerns amid rising electricity prices.
Recall that on July 10, 2024, the government announced plans to phase out fossil fuels by 2027. In its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) submitted to the European Commission, the French government promised to close the last coal-fired power plant or convert it to low-carbon solutions.
However, with the recent update, the country might fail to transition to decarbonised energy completely within the stipulated time frame. Reports claimed that the policy shift resulted from competition from countries with less stringent climate regulations.
Implications of Trump’s Decision on Africa’s Renewable Energy Adoption Plans
As developing members of the Paris Climate Agreement, almost all African countries benefit from the financial support their developed European counterparts give. Hence, Donald Trump’s decision will affect how much help they receive from the international climate funds in the future.
South Africa was first to feel the impact as it acknowledged that the U.S. withdrawal would cost them more than $1 billion in future investment pledges. This represents approximately 20% of the $8.5 billion package South Africa negotiated under the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
A report from the state house revealed that the government will no longer receive the usual financial support for its plans to decommission coal-fired power stations and use renewable energy instead.
Unfortunately, President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly cancelled grant projects that were previously funded “and in planning or implementation phases”.
What Should African Countries Do Amidst Poor Funding?
Should Africa follow the path of the United States and France and reduce its desire to transition to renewable energy, mainly as Africa is the lowest emitting continent and accounts for less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions?
Will there be sufficient funds to achieve the primary goal? Should they continue pursuing decarbonised energy? What steps should African nations take?
The answers to these questions are straightforward if the continent truly wants a safe environment for its people. African nations should consider the following options:
- Prioritise Green Energy Over Coal-fired Plants
Considering that 580 million Africans (nearly 48% of the population) have no access to energy and the continent is most vulnerable to climate change’s ravages, African leaders can’t afford to take their foot off the pedal. Instead, they should prioritise the green energy transition regardless of what developed nations do.
They should explore the available renewable resources on the continent. Northern African countries should harness their solar potential; Central and Eastern Africans should explore their hydropower potential more; and coastal regions must turn their attention to wind power, which could generate over 300 GW along Africa’s coastlines.
- Strengthen Regional Cooperation
Though the African Union and African Development Bank have been unifying organisations in the continent for many years, they need to do more now than ever.
The African Development Bank has committed $25 billion to climate finance between 2020 and 2021, representing just a fraction of what the continent needs. The bank should provide more financial and material assistance to African countries so the continent won’t depend solely on Western countries.
Similarly, governments should establish an Africa Climate Fund with contributions based on each country’s GDP and carbon emissions.
- Strategic Partnerships
Rather than relying on the U.S. or France, African nations should partner with countries willing to offer financial assistance. African nations could turn their attention to committed countries in the EU (including Germany and Denmark), Japan, and China.
In addition, the private sector should be encouraged to invest in renewable energy, as this will help fill some funding gaps.
Conclusion
Though Africa will experience a significant fall in financial aid and support, African leaders and stakeholders have reiterated their commitment to transitioning to renewable energy.
Speaking to reporters, Joanne Yawitch, the head of the Just Energy Transition Project Management Unit in South Africa, said, “South Africa remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving a just and equitable energy transition.”
Similarly, Kenya’s President William Ruto emphasised at the Africa Climate Summit that “Africa has what it takes to create a win-win outcome in this very intense conversation about climate change.”
With this mindset and the proper implementation of the strategies above, it’s safe to say that policy reversals in the United States and France won’t stop the continent from achieving its renewable energy transition.