Pragmatische Wege zur Abstimmung von Klima- und Handelsregelungen auf die afrikanischen Ambitionen im Bereich grüner Technologien

The document examines the tension between Africa's potential as a clean energy leader and the restrictive nature of unilateral trade instruments like the EU's CBAM. While Africa possesses significant renewable energy potential and 30% of global critical mineral reserves, the paper argues that CBAM could reduce collective GDP by 0.91% (approximately USD 25 billion) and limit fiscal space for green R&D. It suggests that African nations leverage their strategic mineral advantages, utilize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to eliminate 97% of internal tariffs, and push for more structured discussions on trade restrictions within the UNFCCC and WTO.

• Africa possesses immense clean energy potential, including 10 TW of solar, 350 GW of hydropower, and 110 GW of wind power, alongside 30% of the world's known critical mineral reserves essential for batteries, solar, and electric vehicles.
• The European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), entering full operation in January 2026, aims to level the playing field for EU exporters by imposing border tariffs on carbon-intensive imports and incentivizing non-EU countries to adopt carbon pricing.
• The CBAM is projected to have a disproportionately negative economic impact on Africa compared to other regions, with one model estimating a reduction in collective GDP of 0.91%, or USD 25 billion based on 2021 levels.
• African nations face a severe climate finance gap, with the USD 300 billion target from COP29 described as inadequate compared to the estimated USD 2.5-2.8 trillion needed between 2020 and 2030 to implement the latest Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Global trade tensions and tariffs may offer indirect opportunities for Africa to attract green manufacturing or negotiate technology access in exchange for critical minerals, provided the continent improves its policy environments and infrastructure.
• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is identified as a key tool for regional response, with the goal of eliminating 97% of tariffs across the continent to shift trade structures and support green technology development.
• Progress on addressing unilateral trade measures within the UNFCCC has been slow, with these issues only briefly appearing in the COP28 Global Stocktake despite claims that such measures may be 'arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination'.

APA

Rumble, O. (2025). Pragmatische Wege zur Abstimmung von Klima- und Handelsregelungen auf die afrikanischen Ambitionen im Bereich grüner Technologien. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/de/pragmatische-wege-zur-abstimmung-von-klima-und-handelsregelungen-auf-die-afrikanischen-ambitionen-im-bereich-gruner-technologien-en

Chicago

Rumble, Olivia. Pragmatische Wege zur Abstimmung von Klima- und Handelsregelungen auf die afrikanischen Ambitionen im Bereich grüner Technologien. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2025. https://afripoli.org/de/pragmatische-wege-zur-abstimmung-von-klima-und-handelsregelungen-auf-die-afrikanischen-ambitionen-im-bereich-gruner-technologien-en.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rumble |first1=Olivia |title=Pragmatische Wege zur Abstimmung von Klima- und Handelsregelungen auf die afrikanischen Ambitionen im Bereich grüner Technologien |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=19 November 2025 |url=https://afripoli.org/de/pragmatische-wege-zur-abstimmung-von-klima-und-handelsregelungen-auf-die-afrikanischen-ambitionen-im-bereich-gruner-technologien-en |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rumble2025pragmatische, author = {Rumble, Olivia}, title = {{Pragmatische Wege zur Abstimmung von Klima- und Handelsregelungen auf die afrikanischen Ambitionen im Bereich grüner Technologien}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://afripoli.org/de/pragmatische-wege-zur-abstimmung-von-klima-und-handelsregelungen-auf-die-afrikanischen-ambitionen-im-bereich-gruner-technologien-en}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }