1. Climate change and developing nations Discussion by DR. KWAME AMPOFO (MP) Parliament of Ghana www.e-parl.net

2. Order of discussion  Brief Background  Effect of climate change in Africa: The case of Ghana  Policy implications of climate change for Africa  The e-Parliament Amboseli Energy Hearing, and some policy ideas  The e-Parliament initiative

3. Brief Background  Scientific evidence has linked greenhouse gas emissions from human activities with the risk of global climate change.  The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) was opened for signature in Rio, June 1992  Kyoto Protocol was adopted by the COP-3 in December 1997

4. Brief Background (…cont) Objective of UNFCCC: To achieve STABILIZATION of Greenhouse Gas Concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous Anthropogenic Interference with the climate system. Should be achieved within a Time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened, and to enable economic development to proceed in sustainable manner. Mechanisms of Kyoto: Emissions Trading (ET) Joint Implementation (JI) Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

5. The effects of climate change on Africa  African Countries are likely to suffer the most from the impacts of Climate Change.  Climate Change increases the vulnerability of poor people by adversely affecting their Health and livelihoods, thus undermining growth opportunities.  Climate Change will significantly aggravate water stress, reduce food security, increase impacts from extreme weather events, displace many people (due to floods and sea level rise) and potentially increase vector borne diseases.

6. The effects of climate change on Africa (…cont)  Natural Resources Productivity at risk and Biodiversity might be irreversibly lost.  Coastal Zones vulnerable to sea rise, particularly roads, bridges, buildings, other infrastructure, etc.  Exacerbation of desertification by changes in rainfall and intensified land use.  Decreased National income as a result of impacts of climate change on cash crop production.  Reduced Energy Production from hydro systems

7. The case of Ghana  Increase of temperature of 1 o C and rainfall reductions of 20-30% have already been observed.  Temperature is expected to increase by 2-3 o C in the Savanna Zone.  Rainfall and Water runoff are expected to decrease by about 15-20% and 30-40% by 2050.  Sea level rise will affect low-lying wetlands, in particular the Volta Delta (about 1,000 km 2 of land may be lost).  Climate Change has serious adverse impacts on Human Health.  Tropical Diseases such as Malaria, CSM, Measles, Guinea Worm and Diarrhoea have been shown by E. Ofori et al to have higher incidence with climate change.

8. Linear trend of monthly outpatient malaria cases: Increasing trend of intra-annual incidence of malaria Annual distribution of the number of malaria cases: Increasing number of malaria cases under the current climatic conditions

9. Distribution of the number of malaria cases and rainfall amount Distribution of the number malaria cases and minimum air temperature: Generally high minimum air temperature values correspond to periods of low number of malaria cases and vice versa

10. Distribution of measles cases and maximum air temperature: Generally, high cases occur at high maximum air temp., and low cases occur at low maximum air temperature Average monthly measles cases(1999 – 2004) and mean air temperature – Baseline data: Number of measles cases vary over the season. It’s highest in March and April and lowest in July

11. Policy implications of climate change for Africa  Joint actions on climate change are urgent, as countries are intricately dependent on each other.  Climate change is a development issue, and we need to integrate climate concerns into the development process.  Energy security and climate security go hand in hand.  Developing countries have the opportunity to avoid the polluting mistakes of industrialised countries.

12. Policy implications for Africa (…cont)  Economic Development is a Right for all Developing Countries.  Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies are responses to the dual problem.  Priority must be given to technology Cooperation and Capacity Building for Sustainable Development.  The CDM and other innovative systems must be promoted.

13. Amboseli Energy Hearing November 2006, Kenya: e-Parliament and The World Future Council Following the UN Climate Conference in Nairobi,19 MPs from 14 countries gathered in the Amboseli National Park to discuss what legislators can do in their own parliaments to address climate change. The group discussed a number of policy proposals, and chose to focus on two in particular: Ghana’s energy efficiency labeling scheme; and feed-in renewable energy tariffs.

14. Ghanaian appliance efficiency label Energy efficiency is the cheapest source of additional energy capacity. In developing countries, energy made available through efficiency measures can be used to help increase energy access. Research shows that some of the most energy-efficient appliances can also be among the cheapest. In Ghana, the labeling system is beginning with air-conditioners, which are major consumers of energy in hot climates, and will soon be extended to refrigerators and other appliances.

15. Renewable energy feed-in tariffs Feed-in laws legally oblige utilities to purchase electricity from renewable sources at a preferential purchase price. The price and duration of contract are set at levels that maintain confidence, allowing investors to help grow the sector in a low-risk environment. Feed-in laws have helped to substantially grow the renewable energy markets in many countries including Germany and Spain, and have helped the growth of electricity production from sugarcane waste in Mauritius.

16. To conclude: a few words about the e-Parliament Fast, flexible, global Share best practice among law-makers Enable closer cooperation across borders Democratic

17. e-Parliament process The e-Parliament works through ‘issue networks’, linking MPs and experts together around issues of common interest. Polls legislators to set joint priorities. Gathers ‘ideas that work’ for online Ideas Bank, a great resource for legislators. Organises international parliamentary hearings, bringing MPs and experts together to discuss best practice and share ideas. Provides detailed briefing materials and is working to develop model legislation. Supports national parliamentary legislation, and provides support to legislators working on policy in e-Parliament issue areas.

18. e-Parliament Climate and Energy Network  Supports Legislators interested in energy policy by linking them up with experts and like-minded colleagues in Parliaments around the globe.  Keeps Legislators informed about energy initiatives taking place in other parliaments, including which policies have been particularly effective. Legislators do not need to re-invent the wheel each time they tackle an issue which has been dealt with before, often very effectively, in other Parliaments.  Organizes workshops, conference calls, video conferences and international parliamentary hearings with parliamentarians and experts from around the worl, to discuss energy policy and share best practice.  The Chair of the Network is David Chaytor MP from the United Kingdom, and we now have over 550 MPs from 62 countries who have voted in our energy poll, and hundreds of MPs who are active in the Network.

20. What you can do: Vote in the e-Parliament energy poll, to help determine the focus of the Network. Help to distribute the poll among your colleagues in your own Parliament. Help us collect email addresses from your Parliament. Register your interests with the e- Parliament. Take a look at the online ‘Ideas Bank’ to find ‘Ideas that work’, which you can pursue within your own Parliament. Participate in e-Parliament Hearings, to learn about best-practice from around the world and engage in a dialogue with other concerned MPs. Sign our pre-prepared letter stating that you believe the e-Parliament process is valuable tool for you as an MP in a developing country. www.e-parl.net