What is Ghana's pathway to limit global warming to 1.5°C?
Transport
The transport sector represents the second largest share of energy consumption in Ghana, accounting for 34% of total final consumption in 2019.1 Emissions from the transport sector have risen by 34% between 2012 and 2016, and were responsible for 17% of total national GHG emissions in the same year.2 The sector was responsible for most of the country’s fuel consumption (56%) in 2016, with diesel, gasoline, and LPG being the most-consumed fuels. Road transportation (particularly passenger vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles and buses) are the largest source of emissions within the sector.3
Ghana's energy mix in the transport sector
petajoule per year
-
Graph description
Energy mix composition in the transport sector in consumption (EJ) and shares (%) for the years 2030, 2040 and 2050 based on selected IPCC SR1.5 global least costs pathways.
Methodology
Data References
-
To align with 1.5°C compatible pathways, direct annual CO₂ emissions from the transport sector should be roughly halved by 2030 (from 9 MtCO₂e/yr in 2019 to between 4-5 MtCO₂e/yr in 2030), and reach full decarbonisation by 2047-2050. This can be achieved through a rapid uptake of electricity and potentially the use of biofuels ideally made from non-food feedstocks. The share of electricity could grow from 0% in 2019 to 5-21% by 2030, and 33-44% by 2050 and the share of biofuels from 0% in 2019 to 2-11% by 2030, and between 10-62% by 2050.
While Ghana has articulated various interventions in relation to the transport sector in its NDC, there are no quantified targets available. The updated NDC includes a policy action to expand inter and intra city transport modes (with an estimated mitigation impact of 200 MtCO₂e), although the document does not elaborate on the modes to be expanded.4
In 2019, Ghana also launched a “Drive Electric Campaign”, which aimed to promote the use of electric vehicles in the country, and have at least 100 electric vehicles and 10 public charging outlets in the country by 2020.5 It is unclear if these goals have been met, and what their mitigation potential would be. The Government of Ghana was also developing a Draft Electric Mobility Policy in 2020, although the current status of the policy is unclear.6
Lastly, Ghana has articulated its intention to modernise and expand its railway network, which could mitigate emissions from road transportation.7 While the mitigation potential of most of these interventions is unclear, they are positive steps towards the decarbonisation of the transport sector in Ghana.
Ghana's transport sector direct CO₂ emissions (of energy demand)
MtCO₂/yr
Direct CO₂ emissions only are considered (see power sector for electricity related emissions, hydrogen and heat emissions are not considered here).
-
Graph description
Direct CO₂ emissions of the transport sector in selected 1.5°C compatible pathways.
Methodology
Data References
-
1.5°C compatible transport sector benchmarks
Direct CO₂ emissions and shares of electricity, biofuels and hydrogen in the transport final energy demand from illustrative 1.5°C pathways for Ghana
| Indicator |
2019
|
2030
|
2040
|
2050
|
Decarbonised transport sector by
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Direct CO₂ emissions
MtCO₂/yr
|
9
|
4 to
5
|
3 to
3
|
0 to
1
|
2047 to
2050
|
|
Relative to reference year in %
|
-53 to
-43%
|
-67 to
-67%
|
-100 to
-84%
|
| Indicator |
2019
|
2030
|
2040
|
2050
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Share of electricity
per cent
|
0
|
5 to
21
|
17 to
36
|
33 to
44
|
|
Share of biofuels
per cent
|
0
|
2 to
11
|
4 to
59
|
10 to
62
|
|
Share of hydrogen
per cent
|
0
|
1 to
12
|
34 to
35
|
42 to
55
|
All values are rounded. Only direct CO₂ emissions are considered (electricity, hydrogen and heat emissions are not considered here; see power sector for emissions from electricity generation). Year of full decarbonisation is based on carbon intenstiy threshold of 5gCO₂/MJ.
-
Methodology
Data References
-