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Bioenergy, Weather and Climate Change in Africa: Leading Issues and Policy Options

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Weather Matters for Energy

Abstract

The impact of weather on the generation, transmission, distribution and use of energy is wide and severe in Africa, where 80 % of the population relies on traditional biomass (solid wood, twigs, and cow dung) energy. Achieving quick transition from traditional to modern energy sources and increasing access to clean and affordable energy services are among the key objectives of energy strategies of many African countries and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)—the blueprint for Africa’s development. In this endeavor, modern bioenergy, particularly the production and processing of its liquid form, biofuels, has ascended to the top of the energy development agenda. This chapter explores the two way connection between bioenergy and weather/climate change to shed light on the extent of vulnerabilities of the bioenergy sector to weather and how climate change is impacted by developments in the sector. The chapter caps its analysis by proposing measures to better adapt to and mitigate climate change while improving energy production and efficiency.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Africa: The Grand Inga Dam—Can It Really Happen? By Simon Allison, 16 November 2011 http://allafrica.com/stories/201111160521.html.

  2. 2.

    http://grandmillenniumdam.net/

  3. 3.

    http://allafrica.com/stories/201112230448.html

  4. 4.

    http://www.fao.org/docrep/u3160e/u3160e04.htm

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Correspondence to Mersie Ejigu .

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Ejigu, M. (2014). Bioenergy, Weather and Climate Change in Africa: Leading Issues and Policy Options. In: Troccoli, A., Dubus, L., Haupt, S. (eds) Weather Matters for Energy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9221-4_8

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