Albert Ahenkan and Samuel Anuga are conducting a tandem research project, spanning from March to the end of April 2024 for Albert Ahenkan and from February to the end of November 2024 for Samuel Anuga. Their collaborative effort focuses on the implications of the EU Green Deal on Africa-Europe relations in the context of new geopolitical tensions and weaponized interdependence. In response to heightened geopolitical tensions and weaponized interdependence, the significance of renewable energy and green innovations has grown substantially. The EU Green Deal, proposed by the European Commission, serves as an ambitious agenda to transform the EU into a carbon-neutral continent by 2050. It aims to decouple economic growth from resource usage and address uncertainties in global energy development exacerbated by events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The research project acknowledges the historical cooperation between the EU and Africa, emphasizing the need to bridge the existing gap in empirical evidence regarding their collaboration on the Green Deal.
Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant threats to both continents, making international cooperation, climate policy advancements, and regional measures imperative. The demand for greener energy within the EU, marked by the phase-out of fossil fuels and coal, has created a solid foundation for renewable energy investment. Conversely, African countries, despite contributing minimally to global warming, face severe climate change impacts, prompting the African Union's Agenda 2063 to prioritize green technologies and adaptation.
Under the joint project, Albert will be addressing the key questions: 1. How can the EU avoid discrepancies in the Green Deal Implementation strategy and not fall back to uncleaned energy sources in a period of critical energy crisis? 2. How are emerging conflicts in the Sahel Region of Africa affecting renewable energy investment in EU-Africa relations?