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Affordable and Clean Energy
Executive summary
As more countries commit to net-zero emissions and include ocean-based climate action in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) the energy transition of the fishing industry and its fleets is becoming a pressing issue. The fisheries sector is a contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions because of its heavy reliance on fossil fuels.
Climate change, fishing fleets and fishing ports
Climate change has a significant impact on the fisheries sector fishing fleets and fishing ports. It is causing rising sea levels warmer water temperatures ocean acidification and deoxygenation which affect fishing activities especially in LDCs and SIDS.
Acknowledgements
This publication was produced by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on the basis of a study coordinated by the UNCTAD Division on International Trade and Commodities in collaboration with the UNCTAD Division on Technology and Logistics.
Technological opportunities and challenges of alternative energy options for fishing fleets
The increasing demand for renewable and modern technology for both electricity and fuels present potential opportunities for developing countries. Among the top ten countries in renewable electricity output are China India and Brazil (IRENA 2023a). China is the global leader in renewable energy production especially solar panels wind turbines and batteries (IRENA 2019). According to a recent Patent Landscape Report of the World Intellectual Property Organization China was the top origin of patent filings related to hydrogen fuel cells in transportation (WIPO 2022). Africa’s abundant resources of sun wind and rare earths make the continent a major participant in renewable energy in the coming decades. Furthermore Africa can play a crucial role in the development of the hydrogen economy (UNCTAD 2023d). Latin America is an important player in the generation of hydroelectricity and Argentina Bolivia and Chile contain the largest reserves of lithium necessary for the energy transition.
Nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement as applied to fisheries
NDCs are central to achieving the Paris Agreement’s long-term goal of limiting global temperature rise this century to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. NDCs present best endeavour commitments of individual countries to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Contributions are voluntary and flexible in nature and subject to continuous improvement and monitoring through subsequent submissions and the global stocktake exercise (UNFCCC 2023).
Energy Transition of Fishing Fleets: Opportunities and Challenges for Developing Countries
The review of NDCs conducted in this study shows surprising results. It reveals that major aquatic food exporters i.e. India the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Norway show no commitments on ocean or fisheries-related matters. In contrast Canada Chile and the Russian Federation have committed to protecting ocean space and include climate mitigation and adaptation measures within marine protected areas. And despite being a part of the most polluting region in the world China and Viet Nam stand out for committing to implement measures for energy saving energy efficiency and emission reduction in fisheries as a means of mitigating GHG emissions. The review of regulations and agreements found little evidence of such measures being used in the fisheries sector.
Opportunities, challenges and considerations for the transition of fishing fleets
Overall a balanced approach is needed to encourage trade and investment in a suitable energy mix and in the incremental adoption and use of renewable and energy efficient technologies. This approach should support the sustainable development of fisheries and the seafood industry. It should also ensure that the renewable energy transition and decarbonization of fishing fleets provide equitable economic environmental and social benefits along the value chain and throughout the entire economy. The energy transition must also ensure that the costs and benefits of a world powered by renewable energy are fairly distributed.
Introduction
The fisheries sector is important for food security jobs and for the livelihoods of millions of people especially in developing countries. Fisheries are an important provider of animal protein macronutrients and micronutrients such as Omega 3 fatty acids and iodine that are difficult to find in other foods. Global capture fisheries generate 51 per cent of all fish and seafood produced today (versus 49 per cent from aquaculture) (FAO 2022a). Developing countries depended on fish for more than 11.7 per cent of consumed animal protein in 2017 while in some SIDS this figure exceeded 50 per cent (UNCTAD 2021a). The fisheries sector is also an important source of jobs and livelihoods with more than 40 million people working in fisheries and aquaculture in 2020 about 21 per cent of whom are women (FAO 2022a). By way of comparison there are 20 times more fishers than seafarers worldwide.
Sahel Human Development Report 2023
Sustainable energy could regenerate Africa’s Sahelian zone by using the region’s abundant clean energy potential to transform lives diversify economies give hope and protect the planet. Analyzing viable pathways to move the Sahel away from energy dependency to energy agency that delivers accessible reliable and affordable energy for all is the focus of this Human Development Report which covers Burkina Faso Cameroon Chad The Gambia Guinea Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria and Senegal. The HDR uses empirical techniques and political economy analyses to consider optimal energy strategies that would be most appropriate for the sub-region and also for each country's context.
Foreword
The Sahel abundance of sustainable energy resources can transform the socioeconomic fortunes of its 340 million inhabitants by spurring green industrialization providing access to electricity for all and protecting fragile ecosystems that are under threat from climate change and human activity. This potential will only be realized if these resources are managed prudently. Paradoxically the Sahel a region least responsible for causing climate change faces disproportionate vulnerability due to its geographic exposure economic fragility and resource management challenges. Spanning 10 countries the Sahel epitomizes the climate change conundrum facing African countries. Only half of its population has access to electricity and the region remains highly susceptible to the diverse impacts of climate change.