Journal Article

Greenhouse Gas Emission, and Mitigation Strategies in Africa: A Systematic Review

Fantabil, Aragaw, Abdela, Kemal Adem, Mohammed, Endris Ali, Divya, Singh

2024

Overview

This systematic review examines the sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Africa, investigates mitigation strategies, and projects future emissions. It evaluates comprehensive publications on climate change, global warming, GHG emission sources, and mitigation measures in Africa from 2013 to 2022. Ethiopia and South Africa are prominent nations in this field of study, with South Africa being the major source of GHG emissions. Rising GHG emissions and climate change pose significant ecological problems, necessitating effective mitigation techniques. North Africa has a small negative balance compared to Sub-Saharan Africa. Key drivers of GHG emissions and climate change were Land Use (AFOLU) sectors, accounting for 56% of total emissions in 2016 where currently energy sector count 73% of GHGs in 2022. It leads to biodiversity loss, water scarcity, economic losses, species extinction, ecological changes, and coastal life threats. Africa is responsible for 2–3% of global GHG emissions in last decays and currently increased to 3.6–4%. Agroforestry systems, which combine agriculture and forestry, have proven effective in reducing emissions, with the agroforestry sector predicted to sequester up to 135 metric tonnes of CO2 over the next 20 years. Africa should employ climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry to prevent climate change, lower emissions, and promote a green economy. This aligns with the Paris Agreement's goals of lowering carbon emissions and improving food security, reduce poverty, and environmental damage. This review is intended to aid academics and planners prioritize GHG emissions sources and design effective mitigation measures using African countries' resources and ecosystems.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Agriculture / Agroforestry / Biodiversity / Biodiversity loss / Carbon dioxide / Carbon sources / Climate change / Climate change mitigation / Climate-smart agriculture / Digital agriculture / Economic impact / Emission measurements / Emissions / Emissions control / Environmental degradation / Food security / Food sources / Global warming / Green economy / Greenhouse effect / Greenhouse gas emissions / Greenhouse gases / Land use / Mitigation / Paris Agreement / Poverty / Species extinction / Systematic review / Water scarcity