Home to almost 8 million people, the West African country of Togo is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, crop yields, extreme weather events, and vulnerable populations. At the same time, a significant portion of the population is consistently exposed to levels of indoor and outdoor air pollution that exceed Worth Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. In 2013, it was estimated that this exposure was responsible for over 3,448 premature deaths in the country derived principally from the energy, transport, waste, and agriculture sectors.
Despite their small contribution to global emissions, Togo has developed an ambitious plan to address these two challenges simultaneously in view of their development imperatives. In tandem with their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the National Plan for the Reduction of Air and Short-Lived Climate Pollutants adopted in 2019 would lead to direct in-country benefits derived from SLCP mitigation measures. The implementation of all 14 measures would lead to a reduction of fine particles by more than 70% by 2040 compared to baseline scenarios, a 67% reduction in black carbon and nitrogen oxides, and a 56% reduction in methane. Full implementation of the measures would also reduce Togo’s CO2 emissions by 38% in 2040, achieving the country’s climate change mitigation commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The objectives of the support provided by the SNAP Initiative is to provide technical assistance and funding for Togo to undertake a national planning process on short-lived climate pollutants, and implement resulting mitigation measures, specifically:
Phase I – Institutional Strengthening Support - Complete
In 2014, Togo expressed interest in taking part in the institutional strengthening element of the SNAP initiative, aimed at further coordinating or scaling up action on SLCPs and increasing participation in the CCAC. Over a two-year period, Togo received financial and technical support to recruit personnel for activities related to SLCPs, and additional support for the implementation of project workplans and subsequent monitoring from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), UNEP and the CCAC. The main results were an increased awareness on issues related to short-lived climate pollutants within the ministries and increased engagement in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition initiatives.
Phase II – National Planning Support - Complete
Building on the results of institutional strengthening efforts, a national SLCP planning processes began in 2016. The national team, with the support of the SNAP initiative conducted extensive consultation with sectoral stakeholders and relevant Ministries to collect and analyze information on SLCP emissions and identify mitigation opportunities. An analysis of the emissions of major pollutants and develop emission scenarios was developed using the LEAP-IBC tool. As a result of these efforts, 14 mitigation measures were identified across numerous sectors including the forestry, transport, waste, energy, and agriculture. 11 of these measures were issued from Togo’s NDC. These findings were then integrated into the National Plan for the Reduction of Air and Short-Lived Climate Pollutants which was adopted by the Minister of Environment and Forest Resources in 2020.
In line with Togo’s development imperatives, the national plan aims to implement priority measures and actions which will significantly reduce SLCPs, in turn improving air quality, fighting against climate change, and realizing co-benefits such as improved health and agricultural productivity. Mitigation measures target a comprehensive range of SLCPs including methane, black carbon, fine particulate emissions, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide. Compared to a 2020 baseline scenario, the full implementation of all measures would lead to a 67% reduction in black carbon, a 70% reduction in fine particulate matter, a 56% methane reduction significant reduction, and a 67% reduction in nitrogen oxides by 2040. The most significant reductions will be related to the household and charcoal production sectors through the extension of improved wood and charcoal fireplaces.
Phase III – Ongoing
Following the endorsement of the national SLCP plan, a workplan was established between the Togo and the SNAP initiative in support of its coordination of the implementation. With the support of a consultant, SNAP, and SEI, The Climate Change Control Division (DLCC) of the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Nature Protection will coordinate and implement the following activities:
Lead Partner: A Coalition partner with an active role in coordinating, monitoring and guiding the work of an initiative.
Implementer: A Coalition partner or actor receiving Coalition funds to implement an activity or initiative.
Membre de la Coalition pour le climat et l'air pur, le Togo a béneficié du projet de renforcement de capacities institutionnelles de la part du Supporting national action and planning...
