Carbon dioxide removal and net zero emissions in Africa
An integrated assessment modelling based on three different land-based negative emission solutions
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15547797 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jeffrey Dankwa Ampah (0000-0002-0985-151X, Tianjin University, corresponding author), Sandylove Afrane (Tianjin University), Humphrey Adun (0000-0002-8593-814X, Near East University, corresponding author), Michael O Dioha (0000-0001-6983-6752, Clean Air Task Force, corresponding author), Ephraim Bonah Agyekum (0000-0002-6947-4349, Ural Federal University), Abdulfatah Abdu Yusuf (0000-0002-8054-9022, University of Liberia), Mudassar Naseer (Tianjin University), Olusola Bamisile (0000-0002-5154-6404, Imperial College London) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Pages | 084021-084021 |
| Publication date | 2024-07-02 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Environmental Research Letters (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1748-9326 • E-ISSN: 1748-9326 |
| Publisher | IOP Publishing (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1088/1748-9326/ad5dcf |
| OpenAlex | W4400225289 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 43 |
As the remaining carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.5 °C rapidly diminishes, it is clear that, besides decarbonization, the world will need to remove 100–1000 GtCO 2 from the atmosphere by the end of the century. Yet, Africa, where many carbon removal schemes are planned, remains a ‘blindspot’ in existing studies. There is limited understanding of the trade-offs and synergies associated with carbon removal within Africa’s energy-land-water system. To address this research gap, we model a stylized net-zero emissions (NZEs) in Africa by 2050, with focus on three land-based biological carbon removal approaches: afforestation/reforestation (AR), bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and biochar. We find that by 2050, the total gross carbon removal is projected to reach 1.2 GtCO 2 yr −1 when all three carbon removal approaches are available, and 0.5 GtCO 2 yr −1 when Africa relies solely on AR. Pursuing NZE with only AR or AR alongside biochar in Africa would be the most expensive mitigation option but they lead to the lowest residual fossil fuel and industry CO 2 emissions. An NZE by 2050 in Africa could reduce cropland by 30%–40% from 2020 to 2050, depending on the carbon dioxide removal deployment strategy adopted. Southern Africa would be particularly affected, facing significant challenges in balancing food security with climate goals. The highest increase in staple food prices will occur under AR only, while the availability of AR-BECCS-biochar produces the lowest rise in staple food prices. Our findings highlight the need for balanced and region-specific carbon dioxide removal strategies to ensure climate and other sustainability goals are met
Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage · Biochar · Carbon credit · Carbon dioxide · Carbon dioxide removal · Carbon sequestration · Economics · Environmental protection · Fossil fuel · Greenhouse gas · Marginal abatement cost · Natural resource economics · Waste management · Carbon Dioxide Capture Technologies · Climate Change Policy and Economics · Energy and Environment Impacts · Environmental Science · Ecology
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| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |