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Decoupling Energy, Water, and Food Resources Production from GHG Emissions: A Footprint Perspective Review of Africa from 1990 to 2017

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  • Fabien Muhirwa

    (Key Laboratory for Resource Use and Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences, Huye 619, Rwanda)

  • Lei Shen

    (Key Laboratory for Resource Use and Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Key Laboratory of Carrying Capacity Assessment for Resource and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 101149, China)

  • Ayman Elshkaki

    (Key Laboratory for Resource Use and Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Key Laboratory of Carrying Capacity Assessment for Resource and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 101149, China)

  • Kgosietsile Velempini

    (Environmental Education Unit, Faculty of Education, University of Botswana, Gaborone 45685, Botswana)

  • Hubert Hirwa

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    State Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Shuai Zhong

    (Key Laboratory for Resource Use and Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Key Laboratory of Carrying Capacity Assessment for Resource and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 101149, China)

  • Aderiana Mutheu Mbandi

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, South Eastern Kenya University, Kitui 170-90200, Kenya)

Abstract

Decoupling energy, water, and food (EWF) consumption and production from GHG emissions could be an important strategy for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy) in Africa. This study applies Tapio’s decoupling method to analyze the relationship between GHG emissions and EWF resources use in 15 African countries over the period 1990–2017. The results show a remarkable relationship, which includes the contamination of EWF by GHG emissions, that mostly exhibits unsatisfactory decoupling state to satisfactory decoupling over a period of several years. The decoupling of water and energy resources from GHG emissions in most countries of Africa has not been able to reach an excellent decoupling state or a strong positive decoupling state. This requires countries in Africa to support environmentally friendly water and energy infrastructures and to promote an integrated, mutually managed, whole resource interaction system. The study also highlights the importance of tracking sources of GHG emissions, whether within individual resource sector activities or across resources to each other.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabien Muhirwa & Lei Shen & Ayman Elshkaki & Kgosietsile Velempini & Hubert Hirwa & Shuai Zhong & Aderiana Mutheu Mbandi, 2021. "Decoupling Energy, Water, and Food Resources Production from GHG Emissions: A Footprint Perspective Review of Africa from 1990 to 2017," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:19:p:6326-:d:649584
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ayman Elshkaki & Lei Shen, 2022. "Energy Transition towards Carbon Neutrality," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-5, July.

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