The Challenges in Enhancing Participatory Governance in Sustainable Energy Transitions in Rural Communities of Cameroon: A Legal Analysis
Keywords:
Legal Analysis, Participatory Governance, Energy Transitions, Rural Communities, CameroonAbstract
The world stands at a critical juncture and the need for a sustainable energy transition that reduces dependence on fossil fuels and mitigates climate change, is irrefutable. Sustainable energy systems are a crucial element of sustainable development, particularly in developing economies.. The transition to sustainable energy is critical for rural communities in Cameroon, where access to reliable and clean energy sources remains a significant challenge. Millions still rely on traditional biomass fuels like firewood and charcoal, leading to deforestation, health issues, and limited economic opportunities. While grid extension remains a long-term goal, geographically dispersed populations and financial constraints render it often impractical. In tandem with the foregoing, this paper explores the challenges in enhancing participatory governance for sustainable energy transitions in local communities within a legal perspective. Participatory governance, which includes the active involvement of local communities in
decision-making, is vital for the effective execution of sustainable energy projects. The case of Cameroon provides a unique context to examine how legal mechanisms can facilitate or hinder community involvement, ensuring that energy policies are not only effective but also equitable and inclusive. Through a content analysis of primary and secondary data, we therefore, uphold that if renewable energy is effectively managed and regulated, could enhance sustainability in the energy sector of Cameroon and
the world at large.
References
African Development Bank. (2021), Financing Sustainable Energy Projects in Africa. African Union Agenda 2063. Available at, https://www,afrcan-union-agenda-2063. (Accessed on the 12/04/2024).
Ahlborg, H., & Sjöstedt, M. (2015). Small-scale hydropower in Africa: Socio-technical designs for renewable energy in Tanzanian villages. Energy Research & Social Science, 5, 20-33.
Berte, S., & Adou, D. D. F. (2023). Challenges connected with the energy choice and transition in bakeries of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 13, (7), P.1-15.
Byers, T., et al., (2014). Study And Effect of a Stable Baseline Data Set in the Determination of Statistically Significant Change, found at: https://www.researchgate.net. (Accessed on the 8/10/2024).
Cameroon, (2006). National Energy Policy 2006, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources. Available at: https://www.example.com/national-energy-policy-2006-camerron. (Accessed on the 28/05/2024).
Cameroon, (2015). National Strategy for the Development of Renewable Energy 2015. Available at: https://www.example.com/national-strategy-renewable-energy-2015-cameroon. (Accessed on the 28/05/2024).
Cameroon, (2035). National Development Plan Vision 2035. Available at: https:///www.example.com/national-development-plan-2035-cameroon. (Accessed on the 28/05/2024)
Chu, Donatus, I. (2023). Driving the clean energy transition in Cameroon: A sustainable pathway to meet the Paris climate accord and the power supply/demand gap, Open Access journal, pp.1-23
Constitution of Cameroon (1972)
Egoh, M. A., (2020), Key Problems And Proposed Solutions To Cameroon’s Energy Sector, Nkafu Policy Institute , Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation found at: https.//www.nkafu.org. (Accesses on the 10/04/2024).
Cameroon, 1998. Electricity Law No. 98/022 of 24 December 1998. Available at: https://www.example.com/electricity-law-98-022-1998-cameroon. (Accessed on the 28/05/2024).
2. Environmental Management Law (Law No. 96/12 of 5 August 1996), available at: https://www.eml.com/law-96-12-1996-cameroon. (Accessed on the 28/05/2024).
Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN). https://fecofun.org.np/. (Accessed on the 6/05/2024).
Franziska, D., et al., (2023). Placing Gender Equality at the Center of Climate Action, World Bank Group Gender Thematic Policy, available at: https://www.gecca.com/gender-equality-climate-action-franziska-2023. (Accessed on the 28/05/2024).
Green Girls Initiative, n.d., found at https://www.greengirls.org. / Accessed on the 8/10/2024).
International Energy Agency, 24 October 2023. (https://www.iea.org. / Accessed on the 8/10/2024)).
IRES4A, IRENA, and UNECA, (2022). Towards a prosperous and sustainable Africa: Maximising the socio-economic gains of Africa’s energy transition. RES4Africa Foundation, Rome.
IRENA (2015). Africa 2030: Roadmap for a Renewable Energy Future. Abu Dhabi:
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
IRENA (2020a). Irena Renewable Energy Costs 2019. Abu Dhabi: International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
IFAD, (2019), Republic of Cameroon Country Strategic Opportunities Programme 2019-2024, available at, https://www,ifad.org. (Accessed on the 12/04/2024).
Koepke, M., Monstadt, J., & Pilo, F. (2023). “Multi-level governance and urban energy transitions: Stakeholder collaboration in Europe”. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 25(2), PP. 135-149.
Kenfack, J., et al., (2017), ‘‘how can we promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in central Africa? A Cameroon case study,’’ Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 75, pp. 1217–1224.
Law No. 2011/022 of 14 December 2011 establishing the National Agency for Information and Communication Technology. Available at, https://www,naict.com/ law2011-022-2011-cameroon. (Accessed on the 28/05/2024).
Manjong, N.B. & Ayobami S. (2021). “Setting the Pace for a Sustainable Energy Transition in Central Africa: The Case of Cameroon" Lee Access Journal Vol.9, PP.123-135.
Ministry of Water and Energy, (2020), Annual Report Cameroon, Ministry of Water and Energy’s official website
OECD. (2019). Strengthening Governance in Developing Countries. Available at: https//www.oecd.org/economic-outlook. (Accessed on the 10/05/2024).
United Nations, Paris Agreement (2015). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Available at; https://unfccc.int/files/essential_backgroung/convention/application/pdf/english_paris_agreement.pdf. Accessed on the 27 May 2024).
Späth, P., et al., (2022). The governance of sustainable energy transitions in the Global South. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 12(51), PP. 1-9.
Piyush, V. (2023), “Strengthening Energy Governance Systems”, UNDP on Energy Governance Framework for a Just Energy Transition November 2023.
Richard, G. R., & Sara, J. W., (2005),"The increasing importance of sustainability for building ownership", Journal of Corporate Real Estate, Vol. 7 Iss: 4 pp. 339 – 350.
Rwanda Green Fund, https://fonerwa.org (Aceessed on 02/06/2024)
SELCO Foundation, (2010), https://www.selcofoundation.org/. (Accessed on the 28/05/2024).
Shrestha et al., (2017), “Assessing Climate Change Impact on Fresh Water Resources of the Athabaseca River Basin, Canada”, Science of the Total Enviroment, Vol.601-602, PP.425-440.
Tchatat, G., (2014), CamerounContribution à la Preparation Du Rapport National Pour La Formulation Du Livre Blanc Regional Sur l’Acces Universel Aux Services Energetiques Integrant Le Developement Des Energies Renouvelables et de l’Efficacite EnergetiqueAvailable:https://www.seforall.org/sites/default/files/Cameroon_RAGA_FR_
The off-grid energy company FONERWA, Rwanda Energy Group (https://www.reg.rw. / Accessed on the 8/10/2024)).
The Energy Progress Report 2023, IEA, IRENA, UNSD, World Bank, WHO, 2023, found at: https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/9b89065a-ccb4-404c-a53e (Accessed on the 24/04/2024).
The Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon 1996
Transparency International. (2020). Corruption Perceptions Index 2020. Available at:https://www.transperency.org/en/cpi/2020. ( Accessed on the 28/05/2024)
UNDP Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025, UNDP, 2022, Available at: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022.( Accessed on the 15/04/2024)
United Nations Sustainable Development Framework for Cameroon 2022–2026.
UNDP. (2020), Human Development Report 2020. Available at: https://hdr.undp.org/en/2020-report. (Accessed on the 28/05/2024)
USAID, (2019), Annual performance Report 2019 Available at: https://www.udaid.gov/results-and-data/progress/annual-performance-report-2019. (Accessed on the 28/05/2024)
World Resources Institute. (2021) Global Forest Review 2021. Available at: https://www.wri.org/research/global-forest-review-2021. (Accessed on the 15/04/2024)
World Bank. (2018), World Bank 2018: learning to realize Education’s Promise. Available at: https://www.world bank.org/en/publication/wdr2018. (Accessed on the 29/05/2024).
World Bank. (2019), World Bank 2018: learning to realize Education’s Promise. Available at: https://www.world bank.org/en/publication/wdr2018. (Accessed on the 29/05/2024).
World Bank, (2023), Scaling up Energy Access for Green Resilient, and inclusive Development in Western and Central Africa, found at: https://www.worldbank.org. (Accessed on 11/o4 2024)
World Bank (2021). “Enable – Enhancing access to benefits while lowering emissions”. World Bank, Washington DC. https://www.worldbank.org. (Accessed on the 10/04/2024)
World Health Organization, (2023). Basic energy access lags amid renewable opportunities, new report show. Available at: https://www.who.int. (Accessed on the 8/10/2024).
https://selcofoundation.org/. Last access8/10/2024).
https://fecofun.org.np/. Last access8/10/2024).
