Has the world committed to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels? In Cabo Verde, a large part of the contribution toward this goal will come from the energy sector. But what exactly is the energy transition, and how will it contribute to the decarbonization of the economy?

According to the most recent inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Cabo Verde, included in its First Biennial Update Report (BUR), the country emitted around 1 megaton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) in 2019 — that is, 1,000,000 tCO₂e.

GHG Reduction Trajectory Based on Identified Mitigation Measures Until 2050

Source: LT-LEDS 2050, unpublished

In these emissions, the energy sector stands out, accounting for 65% of total GHG emissions. According to projections outlined in the Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) (forthcoming), this share could increase to 68% by 2030 and 72% by 2050 under a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario.

The good news is that the energy sector also offers the greatest potential for emission reductions. This is clearly acknowledged in Cabo Verde’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and in the LT-LEDS itself. The planned mitigation measures include:

• Electricity supply based on renewable energy sources (wind and solar PV);
• Low-carbon transport, including electric mobility, modal shifts, and use of sustainable fuels in aviation;
• Energy efficiency in the residential and tourism sectors, low-consumption public lighting, and efficient water use and supply systems.

The expected impact of these measures is shown in the following figure: