ENERGY TRANSITION INDICATORS IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES: MANAGING THE POSSIBLE DECLINE OF FOSSIL FUELS AND TACKLING ENERGY ACCESS CHALLENGES

Victoria Nalule 1

Theophilus Acheampong 2

INTRODUCTION

The global move to tackle climate change as envisaged in the 2015 Paris Agreement has necessitated debates and action geared towards transitioning to a low carbon economy. Although there is no agreed international definition of energy transition, the focus has been put to a shift from fossil fuels to renewables. This paper is intended to contribute to the global debate on energy transition with a focus on the initiatives taking place in a few selected countries. The argument in this paper is to the effect that many developing countries still need fossil fuels to tackle energy access challenges and ensure economic growth. Nevertheless, this does not in any way mean that these countries are climate change deniers. In this respect, the question to be addressed in this article is how can we measure energy transition efforts in developing countries? In responding to this question, the article attempts to develop and analyse some key energy transition indicators.

Keywords: Energy Transitions; Energy Security; Energy Poverty; Africa; SDGs

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v12i1.2

1 Victoria Nalule is a holder of a PhD in International Energy Law from the University of Dundee, UK. She is a Senior Fellow at OGEES; and visiting lecturer at East African University. She is also the Executive Director of the African Energy and Minerals Management Initiative (AEMI); and CEO of Nalule Energy and Minerals Consultants. Email, v.nalule@nemenergyco.com

2 Theophilus Acheampong a holder of a PhD in Petroleum Economics from the University of Aberdeen. He is an Associate Lecturer and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen. He is also an Associate Lecturer at the University of Dundee.

TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN RURAL NIGERIA: THE ROLE OF COMMUNITIES

Augustine Edobor Arimoro*

Habibah Musa**

INTRODUCTION

Access to water is crucial for healthy living and survival. In developing countries such as Nigeria, rural communities often suffer from a severe shortage of the supply of fresh, potable water. The need to change the tide has led to the inclusion of the adequate availability of water for all as one of the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Evidence shows that the lack or poor supply of freshwater could lead to a prevalence of waterborne diseases and might negatively affect economically important activities. While water sustainability deals with ensuring adequate supply of water for the present and future generations, water resource management is the strategy for achieving water sustainability. Considering the above, this article examines the literature on water resource management vis-à-vis the legal framework for water management in Nigeria. The article notes that rural communities in the country have a critical role to play in water resource management in the country and in the quest to attain the goals for water. It is recommended that policies should be implemented to provide for sustainable management of water as well as a strategy for educating rural communities on what they must do to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for water management in Nigeria at the rural community level. For example, there is a need to provide for private sector led water development projects in rural areas backed by government subsidy as well as programmes to enlighten community leaders on their role in ensuring water sustainability.

Keywords: Water, access to water, legal framework for water management, rural area, SDGs, Nigeria.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v11i2.2

* St Mary’s Law School, St Mary’s University Twickenhan, London – augustine.arimoro@stmarys.ac.uk, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8698- 9328.

** Faculty of Law, Nassarawa State University, Keffi – habibahmusa09@gmail.com

REDRESSING HARMFUL ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES IN THE NIGERIAN PETROLEUM INDUSTRY THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROACH

Cleverline T. Brown*

Nlerum S. Okogbule**

INTRODUCTION

The discovery and continued exploitation of crude oil in Nigeria with its many advantages, has exposed the Nigerian environment to several forms of pollution and degradation. Consequently, extensive harm has been done to the human and natural environment some of which may prove irreversible. This is largely attributable to wrongful environmental practices, sabotage, ineffective regulation and enforcement mechanisms. Sadly, environmental laws in Nigeria do not specifically criminalize such inimical activities, while some grave environmental crimes are downplayed and treated as civil wrongs. This article argues in favour of a compelling need for a reassessment of environmentally harmful acts with a view to codifying and criminalizing certain acts to promote the observance of basic environmental laws, especially by multinational corporations, and support the realization of a sustainable environment in the country. This has become imperative as Nigeria is a subscriber to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An effective and efficient regulatory regime is a vital for achieving these goals by the year 2030.

Keywords: Environment, Environmental Pollution, Environmental crime, Ecocide, SDGs.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v11i2.3

* LL.B (RSU), B.L (Lagos), LL.M (RSU), Lecturer in Law, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt Nigeria and PhD Law Researcher, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom (UWE). E-mail: cleverline2.brown@live.uwe.ac.uk

** LL.B (Ife), B.L (Lagos), LL.M (Ife), PhD (Glasgow), Professor of International Law and Vice-Chancellor, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Email: nlerumokogbule@ust.edu.ng

CONTRIBUTION OF THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY TO SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICAN (MENA) REGION

Adenike A. Akinsemolu

INTRODUCTION

The extractive industry has great potential for mobilizing financial support as well as physical, technological, and human resources to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article traces developments in the industry with a view to identifying existing gaps in knowledge and the proactive measures needed to ensure that the extractive industry makes a crucial contribution to the society. More specifically, this article explores the historical and current contributions that extractive industries have on social development, political stability, and economic prosperity in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. Practical and specific examples are used to show the progress made in the attainment or support of the SDGs. The first finding is that the extractive industry in the region has the potential and opportunity to contribute to the attainment of all the 17 SDGs. The second finding is that despite the extractive industry being diverse, the nature and scope of typical activities highlight that various common opportunities can be leveraged on to achieve progress on the SDGs. Thirdly, an unprecedented level of stakeholder cooperation is needed to attain the SDGs. Finally, extractive industries in the MENA region are lagging in furthering SDGs because their activities contribute to environmental degradation.

Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals; Mining; Middle East; North Africa; Environmental Sustainability.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v11i2.10

Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

LINKING THE SDGS WITH HUMAN RIGHTS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF PROMOTING GOAL 17

Wekgari Dulume*

ABSTRACT

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is grounded in different international human rights instruments. Human rights (HR) principles and standards are strongly reflected in several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. Furthermore, SDG 17 emphasizes partnership as a key to achieving all of the SDGs. This article examines the SDGs-HR linkage in general, as well as specific HR principles that can be advanced by the achievement of SDG 17. Opportunities and challenges to promote Goal 17 of the SDGs that directly affect certain HRs are also examined. A review of relevant literature, 2030 summit documents, and outcomes of recent international conferences on the SDGs is undertaken in order to determine the progress made towards forging regional and global partnerships for the SDGs, as envisaged in Goal 17. This article finds that the absence of a political will and commitment, increased isolationist policy, narrow nationalism and poor rule linkage at national and international levels are some of the obstacles to the attainment of Goal 17. Yet, opportunities abound to promote the Goal. The article recommends a genuine commitment to implementing the SDGs by encouraging the South-South and North-South to prevent the SDGs from becoming a mere wishlist. Synergy between the government, individuals, civil society organizations (CSOs) and transnational corporations (TNCs) is equally very important.

Keywords: Human rights, sustainable development goals, partnership for the goals.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v10i1.3

* LL.B, LL.M, Member of the Editorial Committee, Oromia Law Journal, Senior Legal Researcher at Oromia Justice Sector Professionals Training and Legal Research Institute, Ethiopia. Email: wekgaridulume@yahoo.com