In their quest for economic development, resource-rich but economically poor African countries face many dilemmas. Paramount among them is the conflict between environmental conservation and economic development. African governments are perpetually demanding to compromise their economic aspirations with the need to preserve and protect what is left of our natural ecosystem. Ironically, the demand originates from the highest offenders. The hue and cry about the East African Crude Oil Pipeline by climate activists and media is the latest case.
For the stakeholders behind the 897-mile East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), it is the end of an arduous journey since commercially viable deposits were discovered in 2006 in Uganda. The $5 billion pipeline for Uganda, a landlocked country, the 1.4 billion barrels of reserves can catapult it to one of Africa’s top ten producers of oil and rewrite its economic destiny.
The governments of both Uganda and Tanzania have passionately defended the project as an integrated energy corridor for carrying crude oil and gas to the region and eventually cutting down Carbon emissions by reducing environmentally degrading economic activities and generating revenue to invest in climate-smart and clean development mechanisms. Therefore, the oil and gas industry, they say, is part of the solution to achieving GHG reduction targets, not the problem. Moreover, according to Ugandan officials, the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emission per barrel of oil for Uganda’s upstream and midstream projects is estimated to be in the range of 20-45 kgCO2e, far below the global average of 70-100 kgCO2e.
Climate activists are not convinced by the argument. They have launched a campaign to persuade the financiers to withdraw from the project, alleging that it will cause “disastrous consequences” to communities, water supplies, and the region’s biodiversity. They cite the 2021 International Energy Agency (IEA) report that recommends halting of new oil and gas development to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The continent cannot be held solely responsible for environmental degradation. Nor has it actively contributed to the climate crisis through robust economic strides. At just 3.8%, Africa’s share of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is in sharp contrast to 23% of China, 19% of the US, and 13% of the European Union. Uganda’s greenhouse gas emissions are reportedly very low. Unlike the developed economies whose major source of GHG emissions is the burning of fossil fuels for electricity and industrial use, Uganda’s GHGs are dominated by Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Uses (AFOLU).
Undoubtedly, the rich biodiversity in the terrain makes EACOP Project more complex. Even then, to a certain extent, it is comparable to Cairn India Pipeline in Gujarat, currently, the longest heated pipeline until the EACOP takes shape. Located in the state of Gujarat which is famous for its GIR forest and home to Asiatic lions, Cairn India’s 684 Km long Crude oil pipeline disturbed the rural and forest ecosystems during its construction. Thanks to the enigmatic task of restoration undertaken by the Cairn Project Team, the ecosystems, though disrupted briefly, were restored. After the Ukraine war has disrupted global energy security, many more African countries like DRC, Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania, etc. are trying to scout for investment in their oil and gas sector.
If other countries continue to use their oil and gas resources to prosper, why not Africa? The solution lies in the mode of implementation. If planned with a sense of responsibility, open-mindedness, and long-term vision, such projects can play a vital role in striking a balance between development and environmental conservation. Quick construction of the pipeline with the smooth flow of funds to support critical conservation programs will ensure the bare minimum impact on nature.
In a nutshell, instead of creating roadblocks to delay the projects, critics should support low-income economies like Uganda to implement these projects in the best way possible and prosper from the returns. With the current global uncertainties on the supply of oil and gas, it will be worthwhile to look for new alternative sources of oil and gas. Therefore, instead of hindering the projects, it will be more logical to boost their capacity and back them up in their climate change mitigation efforts such as adopting climate smart agriculture, restoration of forests, etc.
