The organization Africa Climate Insight presented, this Tuesday in Dakar, the results of a study on the impacts of fossil fuels and the opportunities offered by renewable energies in Senegal. The initiative, welcomed by the National Platform of Civil Society Actors for a Just Energy Transition (PACTEJ), advocates for decentralized energy governance and increased involvement of local communities.

"The objective of this study is to document the impacts of fossil fuels in Senegal in a context of nascent oil and gas exploitation, but also the opportunities of renewable energies," explained Hawa Traoré, director of Africa Climate Insight.

Carried out in six areas (Joal, Kayar, Tchiffers, Gandiol, Gathiary and Bohol), the study reveals that 93% of households surveyed want to be involved in local decisions related to the energy transition.

However, the majority of the affected populations say they do not understand the implications of this transition nor feel involved in it. “Communities must be placed at the heart of the process. Energy governance must be decentralized, local authorities must be involved, and successful local initiatives must be promoted,” insisted Hawa Traoré. She cited the example of Joal-Bohol, where community-based renewable energy projects have yielded significant results.

These figures raise questions.

The fishermen interviewed reported a 78% drop in catches, while 42% of women fish processors said they had difficulty obtaining fish. These economic and environmental impacts linked to oil exploitation, according to the report's authors, underscore the need for an "equitable, inclusive, and sustainable" energy transition.

Furthermore, nearly 70% of respondents expressed support for the use of renewable energy. "This is a strong signal, especially given the country's commitment to increasing the share of green energy to 40% of its energy mix by 2030, as part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) signed with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union."

For Dr. Fatima Diallo, coordinator of PACTEJ, this study constitutes a "valuable knowledge tool" that will help harmonize civil society approaches around a shared vision of the energy transition. She, too, advocates for "transparent and participatory energy governance."

Indeed, she said, "access to energy can no longer be based on a centralized model. There needs to be more equity, listening to communities and sharing of information so that Senegalese people feel involved in all public policies related to energy."

The PACTEJ also insists on taking into account the rights of workers, in particular those in the fossil fuel and renewable energy sectors, as well as on protecting the rights of women and children in this transition.

Speaking on behalf of the firm that conducted the study, Cheikh Abdoul Lhadra Dieylani Diop reiterated that the production of national energy data is "a necessity".

According to him, the Senegalese energy system remains dominated by fossil fuels at over 70%, which reinforces dependence on international markets and exposes the country to economic shocks.

Moreover, the report recommends the decentralization of energy governance, transparency in the planning and execution phases, coordination between public institutions and the private sector, and the mobilization of inclusive financing to accelerate the penetration of renewable energies.

As Senegal prepares to defend its position at the COP, the authors of the study hope that this document will serve as a basis for national advocacy.