TOWARDS THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE, TRANSPORTATION, UTILIZATION AND STORAGE (CCUS) TECHNOLOGIES: CURRENT CHALLENGES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS.

Alexandre Gallo 1
Eduardo G. Pereira 2
Alberto Fossa 3
Hannah Hylton-Edwards 4
Thomas Muinze5
Edmilson Moutinho dos Santo 6
Clara Dybwad 7
Cylon Liaw*

INTRODUCTION

Climate change poses a serious threat to the development of the current and future generations. Therefore, Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transportation, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) has emerged as an essential tool to mitigate such impacts of global warming along with other initiatives and strategic decisions such as energy transition and conservation, sustainable practices amongst others. This article is focused on the CCUS practices and more specifically the peculiarities of CCUS vis-à-vis the standardization rules at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The main question this article aims to address is to determine if CCUS should have its own standing technical committee (TC) or if it should be somehow related to the existing Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technical committee.

Keywords: Climate Change; Energy Transition; CCS, CCUS, ISO, CO2, GHG and Standards.

DOI-https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v12i2.2

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1 Alexandre Gallo (University of São Paulo – Research Centre for Gas Innovation)
2 Dr. Eduardo G. Pereira (University of São Paulo – Research Centre for Gas Innovation, University of West Indies and Siberian Federal University)
3 Dr. Alberto Fossa (University of São Paulo – Research Centre for Gas Innovation)
4 Dr. Thomas Muinzer (University of Aberdeen)
5 Hannah Hylton-Edwards (University of West Indies)
6 Dr. Edmilson Moutinho dos Santos (University of São Paulo – Research Centre for Gas Innovation)
7 Clara Dybwad (University of São Paulo – Research Centre for Gas Innovation)
* Cylon Liaw (University of São Paulo – Research Centre for Gas Innovation)

UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITIES IN RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES IN AFRICA: THE ROLE OF DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Oluwaseun Viyon Ojo

INTRODUCTION

Climate change and global warming are undeniably undermining global development with developing or emerging economies being the worse hit in this unfortunate development. In recent times, it has become necessary to adopt effective adaptation measures that mitigate the impact of climate change on the social, political, and economic environment. A global shift to low-carbon energy technologies through the gradual integration of renewable energy resources in the global energy mix has been generally proposed. Whilst legal and regulatory initiatives are indeed crucial in driving this global energy transition, it is equally imperative that the necessary capital is unlocked to finance the construction, development, and expansion of renewable energy projects in Africa. This paper focused on examining the impact of renewable energy technologies on climate change mitigation, and analysed the role of Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) in unlocking the vast opportunities associated with renewable energy technologies or projects, with a view to driving the clean energy transition in Africa.

Keywords: Climate Change, Global Warming, Renewable Energy Technologies, Development Financial Institutions, Financing.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v12i1.5

Oluwaseun Viyon Ojo,LLB(Hons). BL, Associate, Duale, Ovia and Alex-Adedipe Law Firm, and is experienced in all aspects of corporate finance, project finance, project development and mergers and acquisitions in the power, oil and gas and telecommunications, media and technology sector. I am grateful to the reviewers for their comments and revisions on this article and I fully accept responsibility for all errors and mistake in this paper. The author can be contacted atojoviyon2010@yahoo.com orojoviyon2010@gmail.com. (Received 10 February 2021; final version received 30 May 2021

EQUATOR PRINCIPLES 4-REVISED CLIMATE CHANGE RISK: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PROJECT FINANCING IN AFRICA AMIDST THE ONGOING ENERGY TRANSITION?

Ailly P.G Sheehama

INTRODUCTION

Since its inception, the Equator Principles Association introduced a risk management framework in response to the ever-changing environmental and social risk in projects. The Equator Principles (EPs) result from minimum standards for risk management to stop the race to the bottom. In June 2013, EP3 was introduced, and climate change requirements were added to address the 'transition towards an ethical and lowcarbon economy.'1 This eventually led to the newly revised Equator Principles 4 (EP4s), 'Climate Change Risk Assessment' (transition risk), in July 2020. This article analyses the effect of the transition risk of EP4 to determine whether this new addition will support or inhibit oil and gas project financing in Africa amidst the ongoing energy transition by questioning the underlying assumptions upon which the policy design was developed. The article concluded that consideration for project financing in Africa could be expected to address the energy needs in Africa while at the same time essentially pushing governments to take into consideration climate change by putting in place processes, policies, and systems to manage these risks.'2 Furthermore, the transition risks definition and implementing standards of EP4 are broadly worded, allowing adapting the principles to a wide range of regimes that positively contribute to these domains. This essentially enables consideration of ethical transition and provides for coordination and coherence across different policy domains.

Keywords: Climate change; Equator principles; Corporate social responsibility; Business and human rights; Risk assessment.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v12i1.4

Ailly Sheehama, BA Law (Namibia), MA International Oil and Gas Law and Policy (Scotland), Deputy Country Director (Namibia), African Energy & Minerals Management Initiative (AEMI). Email: aillysheehama@gmail.com

SHOULD COUNTRIES FIRE SELL THEIR OIL & GAS ASSETS? ADDRESSING THE MIS-CONCEPTIONS SURROUNDING THE CONTINUED ROLE OF FOSSIL FUELS IN THE ENERGY TRANSITION ERA

Victoria R Nalule 1

Xiaoyi (Shawn) MU 2

INTRODUCTION

Access to modern energy such as electricity is key in the economic development of any country, and yet over 600 million people remain with no access to electricity in developing countries. It is true that both renewable energy and fossil fuels are key in the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development (UN SDG) Goal 7 and Goal 1 on energy access and poverty eradication respectively. However, the current global efforts to transition to a low carbon economy, and tackle climate change as stipulated in the SDG 13 and the 2015 Paris Agreement, have created a lot of tension on fossil fuel developments in recent years. This commentary article is presented as a question and answer session aimed at addressing the misconceptions surrounding the achievement of SDG 7 and SDG 13 in this energy transition era. The paper is of interest to oil producing countries. The article follows the various questions raised by policymakers during an online seminar delivered by both the authors entitled, ‘Fossil Fuels in the Energy Transition Era’.

Keywords: Energy Access; Climate Change; Energy Transitions; clean energy technology: Sustainable Development

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v11i2.7

1 Victoria R. Nalule holds a PhD in International Energy Law and Policy from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP), University of Dundee. She is currently working on the DFID-funded Extractives Hub project in the UK as a Research Fellow. She is also the founder and Executive Director of the African Energy and Minerals Management Initiative (AEMI).

2 Dr. Xiaoyi (Shawn) Mu is a Reader in Energy Economics at the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP), the University of Dundee. He earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Oklahoma in 2006 and Bachelor’s degree in economics from Renmin University of China in 1994.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GREEN BOND REGIMES IN NIGERIA AND CHINA

Alex Oche

INTRODUCTION

Climate change has taken the centre stage in the debate of most governments around the world. At regional and international levels, efforts are being made to manage the problems emanating as a result of climate change. Response to the climate change can be summarized under two headings, namely, adaptation and mitigation measures. These measures do not come by cheaply, however. They are capital intensive; hence private sector funds will be needed to fund these adaptation and mitigation projects as public sector funding has remained insufficient. One way to mobilize private sector funds to tackle climate change is by using green bonds. But for green bonds to achieve its potentials as a sustainable investment tool, there must be a solid regulatory framework for the green bond market. Towards that end, this article analyses soft law instruments as well as national green bond regulations of Nigeria and China. It has been discovered that the Climate Bonds Standard and the Green Bond Principles form the basis of most jurisdictions of green bond regulations. nevertheless, due to regulatory arbitrage, there is no consensus green standard, and this poses a governance challenge to the green bond market. The article concludes that much of the responsibilities in setting green standards and enforcement of green standards rest on the domestic green bond regulations, and this can only be achieved with water-tight regulations for green bonds at domestic levels.

Keywords: Climate Change; Green Bonds; Nigeria; China.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v11i2.8

Lecturer, College of Law, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Associate Research Fellow, Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development. Email ocheaj@abuad.edu.ng

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL ON FOOD SECURITY: BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION IN QATAR AND NIGERIA

Idowu Ajibade*, Michael Egge**, and Arun Pallathadka***

ABSTRACT

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) contains a global commitment to “end hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture” by 2030. The realization of this goal under the current global political economy, climate change trends, and national realities is a daunting challenge. In this article, we draw on political ecology theory to examine the complex ecological, economic, geopolitical, climatic, and socially-induced barriers that threaten the achievement of SDG 2 in two oil producing countries with a high dependency on food imports: Qatar and Nigeria. First, we provide an overview of barriers to global food security and sustainable agriculture by discussing how the unevenness of power and resource distribution, reduced genetic diversity, land grabs, restrictive property rights, and the control of stable food production by big agri-businesses, all served to undermine hunger reduction and food security in the last 20 years. Second, drawing on.

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* Lead author: Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Portland State University, United States of America. Email: jajibade@pdx.edu. ORCID: 0000- 0002-9767-0435

** DepartmentofGeography,PortlandStateUniversity,USA. *** Department of Geography, Portland State University, USA.

EYES ON BANGLADESH’S DISAPPEARING COASTS: PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE1

Sabrina Persaud*

ABSTRACT

Climate change, a phenomenon caused by global warming, has impacted just about every part of the earth. As polar ice caps continue to melt, people across the world are experiencing record-breaking heat waves and warmer winters. These erratic weather patterns are just one of the many impacts of climate change. Changes in temperature have altered ecosystems and habitats for terrestrial and marine wildlife, and caused human health to deteriorate. Larger, more industrialized countries are the major contributors to climate change; however, smaller countries, such as Bangladesh, suffer the consequences. This article analyses the negative effects that climate change has had on Bangladesh, particularly the vulnerable coastal communities of Bangladesh. Warmer temperatures lead to warmer waters, a breeding ground for tropical cyclones and spells disaster for those living along Bangladesh’s coasts. This article proceeds to suggest possible domestic and international legal solutions to the problem and examines the law that supports these proposals.

Keywords: Climate change, coast, Bangladesh, constitution

Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v6i1.3

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* Juris Doctor (JD) Candidate, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Law School, United States.

1 “Eyes on Bangladesh’s Disappearing Coasts” is a subtle reference to the eye of a tropical system that maintains contact with the Bangladeshi coasts and wreaks havoc for coastal communities. Every cyclone with wind speeds exceeding 74 mph has an eye at the centre of the storm, which is the calmest part of the storm. National Weather Service, “Tropical Cyclone Structure” accessed 28 July 2015.

CLIMATE CHANGE, FORCED MIGRATION, AND INTERNATIONAL LAW A book by Jane McAdam (New York: Oxford University Press, 2012)

Demola Okeowo*

OVERVIEW

The book Climate Change, Forced Migration, and International Law is an authoritative compendium of the real issues in discourse on climate change related movement and its implications in international law. Prior to reading this book, I had read a lot of articles and stories on blogs, which have exaggerated the issue of ‘climate change refugees’. Some of the articles went to the extent of saying that some States will in fact disappear completely at the end of a given time if nothing drastic is done about climate change.1 Professor McAdam describes these authors as ‘alarmists’.2

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* LL.B, BL (Nigeria), LL.M (Groningen, The Netherlands), LL.M (Queen’s, Canada), Doctoral Student, Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia, Canada. I am grateful to Professor Benjamin Richardson of the Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia, Canada who recommended the book under review to me

1 Ajay Chhibber, “Statements at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting” UNDP Cairns Convention Centre, (6 August, 2009).

2 Jane McAdam, Climate Change, Forced Migration, and International Law (New York: Oxford University Press, 2012) 26.