Berlin, 21/05/2024: In a new Africa.table article, Stefan Liebing argues, among other things, for the expansion of CO2-reducing measures to take place primarily in Africa and proposes further opportunities for cooperation in energy policy.
Liebing argues that measures to reduce CO2 can be implemented more cost-effectively in Africa than in Germany. He recommends investing more in the energy transition in Africa. This not only makes economic sense, but is also important from a climate perspective, as Africa has a growing demand for energy and could make its energy supply low in CO2.
The German energy transition is faltering due to slow grid expansion, declining sales figures for electric cars and uncertainties regarding the hydrogen infrastructure. Liebing emphasizes that Africa is crucial for the success of the German energy transition. With a growing population and increasing prosperity, it is important to create incentives for investment in a low-carbon energy supply in Africa. Integrating Africa into the European emissions trading system would be a first step.
According to Liebing, investments in Africa have greater leverage, as CO2 savings can be achieved more cost-effectively there. He criticizes the fact that German climate policy has so far neglected international investments. Liebing proposes three business models for investments in the African energy sector: building power plants and selling the electricity, supplying households with decentralized generation systems and producing green energy for export.
Liebing calls for a joint EU-Africa trading zone for CO2 certificates and state guarantees to facilitate investment in green energy infrastructure. He criticizes German development cooperation and calls for a reorientation of measures in the interests of the climate, Africa and the German taxpayer.
