Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has positive top-line communications on climate change, however it does not appear to support the need for climate related regulations or action consistent with the IPCC. The association’s comments on the energy transition do not appear to align with its top-line messaging on climate change, as it continues to promote the role of unabated fossil gas and oil in the energy mix.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: The AEC’s has positive top-line communications on the science of climate change, however it does not appear to support the need for climate related regulations or action consistent with the IPCC. The executive chairman, NJ Ayuk, recognized some of the science of climate change in a press release from November 2022. However, in a press release in September 2023, he did not appear to support drastic emissions reductions, suggesting current transition timelines are unrealistic. Ayuk also supported government regulation to respond to climate change but appeared to qualify this support by stating they should not affect market growth on Twitter in March 2023.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: The AEC has limited engagement with specific climate change policies. Nevertheless, in an April 2023 press release, the executive chairman, NJ Ayuk, appeared to support the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP), an initiative aimed at increasing investment in renewable energies. He also advocated in favor of investments and policies to aid the transition towards decentralized renewable energy systems in a March 2023 press release. In an op-ed in March 2023, he appears to support emissions trading and measures to set up a carbon market. However, the organization appears to oppose a carbon tax in a tweet from March 2023, stating these policies ‘will greatly stunt the growth of economies that are actively trying to create infrastructure that is eco-friendly.’
Positioning on Energy Transition: The African Energy Chamber is highly engaged on issues related to the energy transition and advocates for a continued role for fossil gas, oil and coal. In an Upstream Online article from June 2023 Ayuk appeared to support tax incentives and contract amendments to increase investment in oil and gas. He also appeared to emphasize concerns over a transition to renewables and suggested that the phaseout of coal in the energy mix be delayed, in a webinar with the Global Business School Network in May 2023. He also appeared to support a role for increased coal usage for the time being in a press release from April 2023. A similar negative position appeared to be portrayed by NJ Ayuk at the East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2023 where he appeared to support new exploration & production and investments that risk locking in unabated fossil fuels including oil. This position is consistently repeated, with another example from May 2023, in an article in Pan African Visions.