The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) supported Niger to strengthen its national climate transparency framework in the energy and agriculture, forestry and other land use sectors. Drawing on insights from the ICAT project, this article explores how data is used to assess policies and monitor progress towards energy-focused NDC goals, considering both greenhouse gas emissions reduction and socio-economic development.

Nestled in the heart of the Sahel region in West Africa, Niger faces a precarious balance between economic development and climate vulnerability. With an economy predominantly based on agriculture, it is acutely susceptible to climate change impacts and extreme weather events exacerbated by it, like droughts and floods. This vulnerability, compounded by an energy sector heavily reliant on biomass and fossil fuels, hampers Niger’s path towards sustainable economic growth. 

For Niger, energy is both a matter of climate action and of national development. While the country has a very low consumption of energy, this energy overwhelmingly comes from biomass. This results in an overexploitation of wood resources, and, in the case of non-renewable biomass, increased greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity generation relies on thermal power plants and imports from Nigeria, however, access to electricity is guaranteed for less than 20 per cent of the population. 

Niger recognizes the dual challenge of energy development and climate action, which is reflected in national policies and strategy documents. Energy is one of the two priority sectors in Niger’s nationally determined contributions (NDC). Niger has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector by at least 10.6 per cent by 2030, going up to 45 per cent if additional support is received. The NDC includes specific emission reduction targets and a range of mitigation measures with socio-economic dimensions, such as energy efficiency improvements, enhanced electricity access, and the expansion of renewable energy sources.

Data is a powerful weapon in Niger’s arsenal for achieving the climate and development objectives of its NDC and other policies. The government uses energy data to guide its action, monitor progress against national objectives, evaluate policy effectiveness, and attract crucial investments.

Niger is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts and extreme weather events like droughts and floods, which threaten its development. Photo: Birni-N’Konni, Niger. Ⓒ UNOPS/Juyoung LEE. 

Shaping the future of energy through evidence-based actions and investments

In a data-driven approach for its energy transformation, Niger started by compiling and analyzing energy data for its national greenhouse gas inventory. The data demonstrated  a dependency on biomass and oil, which combined, represented 95 per cent of Niger’s primary energy supply. This dependency comes despite the fact that Niger has a diversified energy potential, including oil, coal, hydropower, and solar and wind power.

The analysis showed, however, an encouraging increase in solar energy. While photovoltaic solar power accounts for a very negligible 0.05 per cent of the total domestic energy supply, there is a steady increase in the electricity it generates. Additionally, mini-grids are improving electricity access in rural areas, and solar applications for water pumping, telecommunications, lighting, and refrigeration are expanding. 

Niger has a dedicated policy in place for the promotion of renewable energy, the National Action Plan for Renewable Energy (2015-2030). Its aim is to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix from 0MW in 2010 to 205 MW in 2020 and 402 MW in 2030, while also increasing the use of improved cookstoves and switching from non-renewable biomass to liquefied petroleum gas. In line with its data-based approach, Niger assessed the policy to see how it could contribute to the country’s climate pledges.

The assessment revealed the policy’s significant potential to curb greenhouse gas emissions, if implemented. Grid-connected renewable energy power plants can decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 2 MtCO2e, while another 1.4 MtCO2e could be cut by rural electrification initiatives included in the policy, and 0.9MtCO2e thanks to upgraded cooking stoves and use of modern cooking fuels, cumulatively by 2030. 

Armed with data that validates the effectiveness of these actions, Niger can confidently proceed with implementation. The data builds a compelling case for the mobilization of climate finance towards diversifying energy production and improving energy efficiency, ultimately empowering Niger to achieve its national objectives and the NDC. Some programmes and projects are already in place to implement these measures. An ex-post evaluation will eventually complement the ex-ante assessment of their potential, to confirm their effectiveness and support any future action, replication or expansion.

Niger’s NDC includes measures for the development of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and hydropower. Photo: Aerial view of a newly built solar pump irrigation system and a plot of cassava, grown using the new system, in Sia-Kounza, Niger. Ⓒ UNOPS/Juyoung LEE. 

Balancing climate action with the socio-economic aspects of the energy transformation

With energy poverty and limited access to electricity leaving many Nigerien households struggling to meet their essential needs, climate action cannot be dissociated from socioeconomic factors. Assessing any sustainable development impacts of energy-related policies is a critical question for effectively guiding decision making. 

Even though the country’s National Action Plan for Renewable Energy did not explicitly mention benefits beyond greenhouse gas emissions reduction, Niger looked into its non- greenhouse gas related impacts. This included potential socio-economic and environmental impacts. The analysis showed that, in addition to its CO2 reduction capacity, the implementation of the policy would enable socio-economic development and improve living conditions for local populations. More specifically:

• The expansion of solar power can boost the development of socio-economic activities, including enabling irrigation and agricultural activities. 
• Rural electrification can transform healthcare and education, with eventual impacts being a decline of child mortality and higher school enrollment.
• Modern cookstoves and decreased dependence on non-renewable biomass can increase vegetation cover and improve air quality, with related benefits for human health and safety. 
• The implementation of the policy’s measures can open a path towards poverty reduction and wealth creation.

In finding the balance between climate action and national development, Niger can prioritize the actions with the highest potential of advancing  both climate change targets and poverty reduction. With a global perspective of the impact of climate action on greenhouse gas emissions, the environment, and people’s lives, Nigerien policymakers can make informed decisions for their national efforts.

Fewer than 20% of Nigeriens have access to electricity. Solar energy and rural electrification can help fight climate change and improve the living conditions of the population. Photo: A Nigerien woman uses the water from the irrigation hydrant for other domestic purposes Ⓒ UNOPS/Juyoung LEE. 

A long-term vision for sustainable climate action and development

Data-based climate action is not a one-time check-up for Niger. For the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement to be met and proven, a continuous flow of data is necessary. To achieve this, Niger set out to build a robust data framework for tracking progress in its climate action, as it is reflected in its NDC.

The source categories of the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories were applied to the data collection from the energy sector. Representatives of the government, electricity production companies and other energy sector stakeholders were consulted, and engaged in capacity building activities so that they could effectively contribute to the data framework. Clear indicators were established for tracking progress towards achieving NDC targets, such as the percentage of households using efficient stoves, the capacity of renewable energies, and the amount of energy produced from different sources. Their use allows Niger to track progress in a measurable way against national objectives like energy efficiency and growth of renewable energy.

In addition to helping Niger implement and evaluate its climate action on the domestic level, this robust data framework empowers the country to fulfill its Paris Agreement obligations. Every two years, starting in 2024, countries are required to submit reports on their emissions and the progress in implementing their NDCs to the international community. The information gathered by Niger’s transparency framework will feed into the biennial transparency reports (BTRs), providing clear data on both greenhouse gas emissions and progress made in implementing their energy sector NDC goals. Regarding BTR submissions, the Paris Agreement has flexibility provisions for developing countries that need it in light of their capacities. While BTR preparation is a challenge for Niger, the country is proceeding with preparations, using the systems put in place to try to meet the 2024 deadline for submission. The NDC tracking framework and assessment conducted  can also support Niger to prepare its NDC update in 2025. 

By showcasing both the commitment to the global fight against climate change and the effectiveness of its data-driven approach, Niger’s example can serve as an inspiration for other countries, including other developing nations with similar challenges, to replicate this successful strategy.Renewable energy can enable the development of irrigation and agricultural activities, boosting Niger’s vulnerable agriculture-based economy. Photo: Birni-N’Konni, Niger. Ⓒ UNOPS/Juyoung LEE.