De-carbonization where are we stand!
By :Mohannad Wahba Diyab
mohannaddiyab@hotmail.com
The urgency of decarbonization is clear, as the effects of climate change are already being felt around the world. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss are just some of the symptoms of our changing climate.
Carbon neutrality is a goal of reducing the net carbon emissions of a Country or organization to zero. This can be achieved either by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere or by offsetting it through activities that absorb carbon dioxide such as planting trees, investing in renewable energy, and investing in carbon capture technologies.
Sudan is a large, arid country located in North Africa where summer temperatures at the a hot to extremely hot range , with daytime highs often reaching 40°C (104°F) or higher.
The heat can be oppressive, and the combination of heat and humidity can make it difficult to breathe.
To help reduce heat-related emissions, Sudan is taking action to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and to increase energy efficiency. Also working to reduce emissions from vehicles and industrial sources, and to plant more trees to help cool the country.
Sudan is a signatory of the Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, both of which have helped to further raise awareness.
The country is also home to numerous environmental organizations, such as Sudanese Environment Conservation Society, Sudanese Wildlife Society and many more NGO’s & Educational bodies contribute to the awareness level in the country.
An old enemy with a new battle
Serious actions are needed with the spirit of responsibility to look into the current carbon emission and impact in Sudan to have an effective monitoring system.
In order to have an effective monitoring system we have to establish a baseline of Carbon emissions in the various sectors. This baseline data should include the volume of emissions in each sector, the sources of emissions (such as industrial activities, agricultural practices, and value chain processes), and the methods of controlling emissions.
The monitoring system should include a set of instruments to measure the emissions in each sector, as well as a system of reporting and tracking emissions over time to ensure that any changes in the emission levels are reported in a timely fashion.
This would involve regular monitoring of the emission levels in each sector, as well as a system of reporting and tracking emissions over time. The implementation of the plan should also include an evaluation of its effectiveness, and any necessary adjustments should be made based on the results.
Decarburization can be tackled under three scopes ( Direct Emissions , In direct Electricity Emissions & Value chain Emissions ).
Direct emissions are emissions that come directly from a source, such as a car or an industrial plant. They are often the result of burning fossil fuels, and are the primary cause of air pollution and climate change. This include carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases, as well as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide.
Decarbonization of direct emissions involves reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from sources such as power plants, transportation, and industry that are released directly into the atmosphere. This can be done through a combination of efficiency improvements may include upgrading to more efficient technologies, reducing energy use, and/or implementing energy-saving measures.
Use of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biofuels can also be used to reduce direct emissions of carbon dioxide.
Indirect electricity emission is the emission of greenhouse gases that can be attributed to electricity production, but not directly from the power plant include the emissions created by the production of fuel used by the power plant, as well as the emissions created by the manufacturing and transportation of the power plant components.
Decarbonization of indirect electricity emissions can be achieved in a variety of ways. One way is to switch to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass. This can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Additionally, investing in energy efficiency measures such as smart meters and LED lighting can help reduce electricity consumption and offset emissions and also developing and deploying carbon capture technologies can capture and store carbon dioxide, reducing emissions from electricity generation.
Value chain emissions are the greenhouse gas emissions that are generated from activities and operations throughout the entire supply chain of a business, from raw material extraction ( mining ) to the end user. These emissions include those from production, packaging, distribution, use, and disposal of a product. Value chain emissions are one of the most important components of an organizations’ total carbon footprint. By measuring and managing these emissions, organizations can reduce their impacts on the environment and become more sustainable.
Decarbonizing a value chain’s emissions is an important step in reducing the country’s overall carbon footprint. This process involves assessing the entire value chain and identifying areas where emissions could be reduced, such as switching to renewable energy sources, using more efficient processes, or implementing green supply chain management strategies. This can be done through process automation and optimization, energy conservation, and the use of more sustainable materials. Additionally, companies can look into carbon offsetting, investing in renewable energy projects, and purchasing carbon credits to reduce their emissions. All of these steps help reduce the Country’s overall carbon footprint and can help the Country meet its sustainability goals.
The political situation in Sudan is complex. After decades of civil war, the country is transitioning to a civilian government.
The environment in Sudan is facing significant challenges due to a range of factors including climate change, overuse of natural resources, and the effects of a civil war that ended in 2005. Deforestation, desertification, soil erosion, and water pollution are all serious threats in the country.
Never the less the feeling of ownership of the land and responsibility , all these instability led to be out of track not because we are maximizing the production or fast devolving our country ( unfortunately ) it’s because of wrong industrial practices , lack of information ( statistics ).
This is an opportunity to address to the future government the following takeaways:
1. Sudan should adopt Renewable & prioritize the implementation of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. This should be done by investing in research and development as well as providing incentives to companies that are transitioning to renewable energy sources.
2. Sudan should promote the usage of energy efficient technologies such as LED lights, efficient heating and cooling systems, and energy saving appliances. This could be done by providing incentives for businesses and households to switch to efficient technologies.
3. Sudan should invest in public transportation infrastructure such as buses, subways, and light rail systems. This should be done in order to reduce the amount of emissions produced by individual vehicles.
4. Sudan should focus on invest in agriculture sector and encourage tree planting initiatives in order to increase the amount of carbon dioxide that is being removed from the atmosphere.
5. Sudan should implement a carbon pricing system in order to incentivize businesses and individuals to reduce their emissions. This could be done by taxing businesses and individuals based on their emissions.
6. Sudan should encourage businesses and individuals to adopt eco-friendly practices such as reducing the use of single-use plastics, reducing water consumption, and reducing food waste. This should be done by providing incentives for businesses and individuals that are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact.