Comprehensive data collection advances development of Sekondi-Takoradi Climate Action Plan
Published: 27 Sep 2024
General
Mitigation
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) in Ghana recently made significant strides in the development of its Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP) with an extensive data collection effort. The initiative was coordinated and carried out in collaboration with the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) and PSS Urbania, a consultancy firm specialising in Ghana’s urban development.
Over a one-week period, a team of trained data collectors surveyed 56 communities within the STMA, measuring various urban dynamics and environmental conditions to gather critical information for defining concrete climate action plans.
One impressive aspect of this initiative is its inclusive approach and the wide range of data obtained. In total, responses were recorded from 778 households and 67 businesses across the 56 communities in the STMA. Notably, 58% of total respondents were female, of which 54% reported being the head of their household. The high participation of females, which is proportional to population demographics, indicates an accurate, gender-balanced, and nuanced analysis.
The survey questions covered topics such as energy sources, access to water and electricity, waste management practices, income and education levels, the impact of rising temperatures, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, flooding, coastal erosion, local knowledge of climate change and the perceived threat to personal health and safety.
About the survey's main findings
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
The total GHG emissions from the STMA for 2021 were 295,100 (metric) tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), which accounts for roughly 10% of national emissions. The data indicates that stationary energy combustion is the primary contributor to STMA emissions, followed by the waste and transportation sectors.
Energy SourcesThe survey found households and businesses in Sekondi-Takoradi use various energy sources, including grid electricity, charcoal, LPG, firewood, solar, and biogas. Among these, electricity represents the largest source for both households and businesses, which squares with the generally high access to electricity in the STMA (approximately 96% of residents have access to electricity). Despite the proven detrimental impact on the environment and human health, charcoal remains the second biggest source, especially for households, due to its affordability. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which has a lower carbon footprint and is recognised as a low-olluting alternative to traditional fossil fuels, is the third largest source of energy in the STMA.
Waste Management Practices
STMA generates a substantial total of 614 tonnes of waste daily, equating to approximately 224,724 tonnes annually. Most of this waste is disposed of through open dumping or municipal waste collection. However, because the metropolitan assembly waste collection system currently operates at approximately 60% efficiency, this means that a large portion of the waste remains uncollected each day, often ending up in informal disposal sites. This uncollected waste can lead to open burning or decay, releasing methane, carbon dioxide, and other pollutants that contribute significantly to air pollution and GHG emissions. Currently, there are no plans to undertake waste recycling in the city.
Coastal Erosion
Coastal erosion is a pressing concern in Sekondi-Takoradi. The survey found that about 41% of residents in STMA are affected, including people living in coastal settlements, fisherfolks, employees in the tourism sector, local businesses, marginalised or vulnerable communities, such as low-income families, elderly individuals, persons with disabilities, and informal settlers. Of these groups, children, women, persons with disabilities, the homeless, and elderly people are thought to be affected most.
This comprehensive data collection is a pivotal step in developing STMA's SEACAP and will serve as a valuable resource for stakeholders in addressing the pressing climate challenges faced by urban communities. Using a data-driven approach, local authorities can effect sustainable change that will benefit the entire region. Such initiatives enhance the community's resilience to climate change and promote informed decision-making, ensuring that development strategies are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all residents.
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