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Building net-zero African cities: Decarbonization and structural transformation

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  • Bazoumana Ouattara

Abstract

This paper examines how African cities can reconcile rapid urbanization and development imperatives with urgent decarbonization goals through structural transformation. It begins by mapping key sources of urban carbon-energy poverty, inefficient buildings, poor planning, transport systems, waste management, and construction practices-and quantifies their contributions to emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Bazoumana Ouattara, 2025. "Building net-zero African cities: Decarbonization and structural transformation," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2025-43, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2025-43
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Working-paper/PDF/wp2025-43-building-net-zero-African-cities.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benedict Oramah, 2022. "Transiting to green growth in fossil export‐dependent economies: A pathway for Africa," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 13(4), pages 542-546, September.
    2. Koldo Urrutia-Azcona & Patricia Molina-Costa & Iñigo Muñoz & David Maya-Drysdale & Carolina Garcia-Madruga & Iván Flores-Abascal, 2021. "Towards an Integrated Approach to Urban Decarbonisation in Practice: The Case of Vitoria-Gasteiz," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.
    3. Pucher, J. & Dijkstra, L., 2003. "Promoting Safe Walking and Cycling to Improve Public Health: Lessons from The Netherlands and Germany," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(9), pages 1509-1516.
    4. Lucy Kibe & Tom Kwanya & Hesbon Nyagowa, 2023. "Harnessing fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies for sustainable development in Africa: a meta-analysis," Technological Sustainability, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 2(3), pages 244-258, March.
    5. Barnes, Douglas F. & Khandker, Shahidur R. & Samad, Hussain A., 2011. "Energy poverty in rural Bangladesh," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 894-904, February.
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