Yamoah, Michael Benedict Agyanno Nana Yaw;
(2025)
Options for coherent implementation of the post-2015 agreements (Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development) at the national level in Sub-Saharan Africa: A case study of oil-dependent economies—Ghana and Nigeria.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This study addresses a critical gap in policy coherence research by examining options for coherent implementation of the post-2015 agreements (Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals—SDGs) in sub-Saharan Africa. Using Ghana and Nigeria as case studies, it investigates how hydrocarbon resource-based (HRB) economies navigate complex tensions between climate commitments and economic dependence on fossil fuel exports while pursuing sustainable development goals. Despite extensive literature on policy coherence, limited research exists on its application to these global frameworks, particularly in developing countries facing climate-development trade-offs. The research contributes a normative definition—ensuring that unique policy objectives, goals, and consequences are not compromised or are well-considered—specifically applicable to post-2015 agreements. The review examines deep decarbonization pathways for the oil and gas sector and policy strategies facilitating energy transitions. Three research questions guide the investigation: How are countries in Sub-Saharan Africa addressing climate and development agendas in policy and governance? What specific gaps and barriers impede or support transition away from hydrocarbons? What options support coherence of climate ambitions and sustainable development? These are addressed using mixed-methods combining content analysis, case studies, structured analytic techniques, and policy network analysis. Results from mapping 311 policies across 48 Sub-Saharan African countries reveal striking climate policy dominance (60% versus 40% SDGs policies), with only 22% integrating both objectives. Ghana and Nigeria case studies identify four critical barriers: executive dominance, fossil fuel dependence, institutional capacity constraints, and complex international influence, resulting in systematic policy-implementation gaps. The research provides a three-pronged interconnected framework—governance strengthening, capacity building, and regional/international cooperation—with practical tools including Integrated Policy Coherence Units and Climate-SDGs Budgeting Systems. This study provides comprehensive empirical analysis of climate-development policy coherence in Sub-Saharan Africa, offering evidence-based solutions for HRB economies navigating global climate commitments alongside domestic development priorities.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Options for coherent implementation of the post-2015 agreements (Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development) at the national level in Sub-Saharan Africa: A case study of oil-dependent economies—Ghana and Nigeria |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2025. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Bartlett School Env, Energy and Resources |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10212725 |
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