Senegal

Climate change policy and legislation feature in a complex framework of co-operation. Since Senegal’s 1996 institutional reform, policy-making has been highly decentralised, as local and regional authorities share competences with the national government over several issue-areas, including climate change. Moreover, the international community also plays a leading role in this process, with international organisations and foreign countries working closely with the government and/or civil society on climate issues. As a result, climate change is linked to the promotion of sustainable development, defined in both social and economic terms, and features in a huge range of policy areas, being related to poverty reduction and the promotion of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Senegal has been very active in taking part in global climate governance, especially at the UN level. The country released both a National Adaptation Plan (2006) for the UNFCCC and a National Strategy for Sustainable Development (in 2005), as part of the regional initiative of the UN Economic Commission for Africa. Senegal is also one of the key players behind the Great Green Wall Project. Conceived by the African Union, the project aims to halt the advance of the Sahara desert and entails co-operation amongst 11 countries in the region.

At the national level, the foundation of the National Committee on Climate Change (COMNACC) in 2011 contributed to creating a central platform for co-operation on climate change. One of the key roles of the Committee is following the activities developed at the UNFCCC, thus reinforcing the link between global and national climate politics.

Senegal approaches climate-related issues in association with its quest for development. On this basis, the 2009-2015 Environment and Natural Resources Sector Policy Letter defines as main objectives of environmental policy the promotion of a sustainable environment to be achieved by the incorporation of sustainable development principles in various national policies.

Energy Supply

Energy supply is dominated by biomass (47%) and oil (48%), with the remaining 5% provided by coal, natural gas, hydropower, and solar. All fossil fuels are imported, leaving the country highly vulnerable to price increases. The significant dependence on biomass, specifically wood and charcoal, has also taxed the native forests, contributing to their degradation.

Despite the negligible amount of installed renewable generating capacity, Senegal has significant solar energy potential, providing a strong opportunity to develop photovoltaic solar power.  Wind energy potential is also significant between Dakar and Saint Louis and large hydropower potential is estimated to be as high as 1,400MW.

In 2012, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) prepared, in collaborated with the government, a Renewable Readiness Assessment (RRA).  In the foreword to the RRA, the Minister of Energy and Mines articulates that the country’s energy policy aims to increase the proportion of renewable energy and biofuels in the energy mix by 15% by 2020. The RRA identifies four recommendations for itself: (1) detailing a comprehensive strategy for mapping renewable energy potential across the country, (2) facilitating grid integration of renewable sources via enforcement and implementation of the Renewable Energy Law (passed in 2010); (3) restructuring the institutional, legal and regulatory framework for biofuel production and adapting to small-scale renewable projects; and (4) identifying market conditions necessary for private sector involvement in renewable development.

Energy policy is outlined under “Letters of Policy Development of the Energy Sector” (LPDSE). The first letter was drafted in 1997 adopting policy measures to be implemented in a five-year period to decrease the cost of energy supply, curbing inefficiency, and increasing funds to develop the energy sector. The second LPDSE was adopted in 2003. Coming into force in 2008, the third LPDSE restructures energy policy by identifying the strategic role renewables could play in energy and transportation. Following from the third LPDSE, institutional, legislative and regulatory structures were strengthened to encourage the development of renewable generation.

In 2006, Senegal adopted the National Bioenergy Strategy, to help reinforce energy security by increasing bioenergy production. The strategy centered on the development of jatropha (a species of flowering plant) for biodiesel and sugarcane for ethanol production. The production of ethanol is also included in policies on agriculture sector. Following the launching of the 2006 Strategy, the government institutionalised the National Committee on Biofuels (CNB) to promote co-ordination between the various governmental bodies involved in policy-making on biofuels.

Energy Demand

Energy demand is growing; however, the current electricity supply is unreliable and residents and businesses experience recurring power outages. Only about 40% of people have access to electricity; although the urban electrification rate is as high as 70%, only 22% of the rural population has electricity. The 2008 LPDSE aims to increase the national electrification rate to an average of 75% by 2012, in an environmentally aware manner.

In 2008, the Senegalese Rural Electrification Agency (ASER) concluded an agreement with the World Bank launching a series of activities under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The Energy Efficient Lighting Programme aims to provide more affordable electricity to rural areas, providing 1.5m energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps to rural communities. Expecting to save 120,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent GHG emission reductions with the new light bulbs, ASER will then sell these GHG reductions to the Community Development Carbon Fund, managed by the World Bank.

REDD+ and LULUCF

As a result of the decentralisation of policy-making implemented in 1996, local authorities have a high degree of autonomy over the management of land use and natural resources, including forests. Thus, policies formulated at the national level provide guidelines for the development of local initiatives. The National Forest Service plays a crucial role in supporting local communities, advising on the management and financing activities of forest and land use issues. As part of these initiatives, in 1998 the Ministry of Environment launched the National Action Programme Against Desertification, developing a long-term plan with measures to tackle the issue.

The National Forest Policy 2005-2025 provides the basis for national plans and programmes in these areas. Grounded on the principle of decentralisation and the fight against poverty, the main objective of the plan is to contribute to poverty reduction by promoting sustainable management and conservation of biodiversity and forest resources, reaching a socio-environmental balance, but also meeting the needs of the population.

Adaptation

The 2006 National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) highlights the three priority areas for climate change adaptation: coastal zones, water infrastructure, and agriculture sectors.  It also outlines the following priority adaptation responses: restoration of mangrove swamps, reforestation, biological stabilization of sand dunes, protection against beach erosion, salinisation prevention measures, irrigation and water conservation projects, soil fertility restoration, crop alternatives, and education.

More than 75% of the population is dependent on the land for their well being, in particular rain-fed crops, and fluctuations in seasonal weather patterns are already highlighting the necessity of implementing adaptation measures in the agriculture sector. Specifically, there is a need for scientific data regarding meteorological patterns, soil fertility and adaptive seed varieties.

In contrast to rural droughts, the peri-urban areas around Dakar have witnessed recurrent flooding. Senegal is implementing a Stormwater Management and Climate Change Adaptation Project, launched in 2013 to improve flood prevention and stormwater management particularly around Dakar. A 2014 World Bank Implementation Status report reveals the project is on track with about 50% of emergency drainage works complete, resulting in the protection of 18,500 people and 88ha of flood prone area. The 2014 target is the protection of 32,250 vulnerable people and 125ha of land.