Towards Effective Governance of Marine Geoengineering in West Africa: Aligning With Global and Regional Best Practices
Date
2023-08-28
Authors
Mahamah, Abdul Hafez
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Abstract
The impacts of climate change have compelled humanity to produce innovative ways of counteracting this phenomenon. Marine geoengineering technologies are regarded as an avenue to forestall climate change. However, these technologies pose a danger to the environment and threaten the survival of living organisms and humanity. The deployment of these technologies could exacerbate the adverse impacts that climate change has on the environment. Using doctrinal, legal history, and comparative legal analysis, this thesis studies how West Africa can ensure the effective governance of marine geoengineering activities in the subregion. The study examines the global and selected regional governance regimes and arrangements in place on marine geoengineering, to ascertain the best approaches to govern this technique.
Description
This research delves into the issue of climate change and its consequences, which have spurred the development of innovative strategies to address its effects. Specifically, the study focuses on marine geoengineering technologies, which are seen as potential solutions to combat climate change. These technologies come with their own set of challenges, posing risks to the environment, ecosystems, and human survival. In fact, deploying such technologies might even worsen the negative impacts of climate change. The primary objective of this research is to explore and propose effective governance mechanisms for marine geoengineering activities in West Africa. To achieve this, the study employs a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating doctrinal analysis, historical legal studies, and comparative legal analysis. By studying global and regional governance frameworks related to marine geoengineering, the research aims to identify the most suitable approaches for governing these techniques within the context of West Africa. The research holds significant implications for the subregion's environmental sustainability and the protection of its ecosystems. By analyzing existing international and regional governance regimes, the study seeks to offer insights into the optimal strategies to manage marine geoengineering activities. Ultimately, the research contributes to the ongoing dialogue surrounding climate change mitigation strategies and sustainable practices in West Africa
Keywords
Geoengineering, Marine Geoengineering, UNCLOS, London Convention, London Protocol, Convention on Biological Diversity, Carbon Dioxide Storage, West Africa, UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, Solar Radiation Management, Carbon Dioxide Removal, United Nations Environment Assembly, United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Sea Region, Baltic Sea Region, North-East Atlantic Region, climate change, mitigation