Samuel Antwi Darkwah

Diffusion of Climate Change Adaptation Policies Among Local Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa: Conceptual Review

Many studies have confirmed the diffusion of climate change adaptation mainstreaming related policies and innovations across local governments (LGs). However, it is not clear under what conditions these policies get transferred, implemented or subsequently abandoned, especially in developing countries where LGs’ capacity to mainstream adaptation barely exist. Based on retrospective literature analysis, this article adduces theoretical and empirical evidence to analyze the factors likely to influence the mainstreaming of adaptation into local governance in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The outcome of the article is expected to help policy practitioners and academics to comprehend the preconditions that enhance or frustrate the adoption of adaptation policy innovations across LGs in SSA where adaptation remains critical developmental concerns. The preponderance of literature suggests that multiple factors, including those, outside the control of LGs affect their capacity and urgency to adopt adaptation policies. The chapter concludes that it is worthwhile to adopt multiple diffusion perfectives that reflect the complex web of factors conspicuously affecting the transfer of climate policy innovations at the micro level to explain the adoption of adaptation policies. The chapter argues that, by doing so, one is able to portray the nature of climate change policy diffusion in local governance in a more sophisticated, comprehensive and logical manner. The chapter therefore makes useful contributions to the emerging field of climate policy and provides useful lessons for practitioners on the factors that influence the adoption of adaptation policies.

A Review of the Suitability of Using Eco‑Efficiency Principles in Managing Environmental Impacts of the Packaged Water Industry in Ghana

The production and use of sachet water in Ghana has been consistently increasing, filling the gap of inadequate access to safe drinking water. Despite the obvious significant socio‑economic impact of the packaged water industry in Ghana, the associated environmental impacts of the production and use cannot be overlooked. The aim of this paper is to analyze the prospects of eco‑efficiency approach as a more sustainable means of production in the industry, leading towards the sustainable development agenda of the country. The methodology employed in this paper is desktop research with qualitative data collection and analysis, utilizing existing literature or secondary data. It was concluded that there are many good reasons for adopting an eco‑efficiency in the packaged water industry, including reducing operating costs and improve profitability by reducing energy, water supply, and solid waste costs, reducing water wastage and contribute in developing solid waste minimization plans. The significance of this paper is to increase the awareness of the effect of improper disposal of sachet waste on the Ghanaian environment and also seeks to inform the management of the many companies in the packaged water industry, stakeholders and consumers to be environmentally responsible, as their actions can help protect and improve the natural environment while improving the overall economy.

Migrants’ remittances: A complementary source of financing adaptation to climate change at the local level in Ghana

Purpose The much-trumpeted Green Climate Fund and several other official financial mechanisms for financing adaptation to climate change under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have fallen short in meeting adaptation needs. Many poorer people are still grappling with the scourge of climate change impacts. Consequently, there has been a dominant research focus on climate change financing emanating from official development assistance (ODA), Adaptation Fund, public expenditure and private sector support. However, there has been little attempt to examine how migrants’ remittances can close adaptation financing gaps at the local level, ostensibly creating a large research gap. This paper aims to argue that migrants’ remittances provide a unique complementary opportunity for financing adaptation and have a wider impact on those who are extremely vulnerable to climate change. Design/methodology/approach The paper is aligned to the qualitative research approach. Both secondary and primary data acquired through interviews and focus group discussions were used for the study. Multiple sampling methods were also used to select the respondents. Findings The findings show that remittances are used to finance both incremental costs of households’ infrastructure and consumption needs, as well as additional investment needs to be occasioned by ongoing or expected changes in climate. Originality/value In the wake of dwindling government/public revenue, ODA and poor commitment of Annex II countries to fulfil their financial obligations, the study makes the following recommendations: First, the financial infrastructure underpinning money transfers in both sending and recipient countries should be improved to make transfers attractive. Second, significant steps should be taken to reduce the fees on remittance services, especially for the small transfers typically made by poor migrants. Finally, adequate climatic information should be made available to local people to ensure that remittances are applied to the right adaptation option to avoid maladaptation.