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P. R. Gatkuoth
tackling energy access challenges.
2 Whereas this chapter will not dwell
in the efforts aimed at transitioning to a low-carbon economy, it nevertheless highlights the negative impacts of fossil fuels in South Sudan and
sets out recommendations for the country to transition to a low-carbon
economy.
South Sudan became an independent State in July 2011 after decades
of a protracted civil war and the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. The Agreement ushered in a new era of hope to
the people of South Sudan. The independence came with an inherited
barrage of the oil and gas industry coupled with the associated environmental impacts. Oil and gas resources also referred to as the black gold,
are a significant factor in the governance and economics of the Republic
of South Sudan. Ownership and utilization of these resources are highly
contested by the political minds in the country.
3
While oil and gas are significant sources of revenue for South Sudan,
the management of the sector is a crucial factor that determines the
future earnings of the country. Oil and gas exploration and production have, however, caused adverse impacts on the environment. This
has affected societies, economies, livelihoods and Ecology. The environment has been wasted and destroyed due to damage from oil and gas
production activities in the splendid Upper Nile Region of South Sudan.
A major problem with oil and gas activities in South Sudan is that the
existence of a weak regulatory framework to control or mitigate environmental damage. Institutions charged with the responsibility of enforcing
the law are not strong enough to supervise and implement environmental
laws in the country. Additionally, the laws do not adequately impose an
obligation on private oil companies to protect the environment.
Due to civil strife and destabilized governance in the country, the
environment has become prone to wanton destruction and flagrant
degradation in the great Upper Nile Region. Generally, oil companies
tend to flout national and international environmental standards in
2 Nalule, V. R., Transitioning to a Low Carbon Economy: Is Africa Ready to Bid Farewell
to Fossil Fuels? In The Palgrave Handbook of Managing Fossil Fuels and Energy Transitions
(pp. 261–286), Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2020.
3 Nyaba, Peter Adwok, South Sudan: The Crisis of Infancy. Centre for Advanced Studies of
African Society (CASAS), 2014.
P. R. Gatkuoth
tackling energy access challenges.
2 Whereas this chapter will not dwell
in the efforts aimed at transitioning to a low-carbon economy, it nevertheless highlights the negative impacts of fossil fuels in South Sudan and
sets out recommendations for the country to transition to a low-carbon
economy.
South Sudan became an independent State in July 2011 after decades
of a protracted civil war and the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. The Agreement ushered in a new era of hope to
the people of South Sudan. The independence came with an inherited
barrage of the oil and gas industry coupled with the associated environmental impacts. Oil and gas resources also referred to as the black gold,
are a significant factor in the governance and economics of the Republic
of South Sudan. Ownership and utilization of these resources are highly
contested by the political minds in the country.
3
While oil and gas are significant sources of revenue for South Sudan,
the management of the sector is a crucial factor that determines the
future earnings of the country. Oil and gas exploration and production have, however, caused adverse impacts on the environment. This
has affected societies, economies, livelihoods and Ecology. The environment has been wasted and destroyed due to damage from oil and gas
production activities in the splendid Upper Nile Region of South Sudan.
A major problem with oil and gas activities in South Sudan is that the
existence of a weak regulatory framework to control or mitigate environmental damage. Institutions charged with the responsibility of enforcing
the law are not strong enough to supervise and implement environmental
laws in the country. Additionally, the laws do not adequately impose an
obligation on private oil companies to protect the environment.
Due to civil strife and destabilized governance in the country, the
environment has become prone to wanton destruction and flagrant
degradation in the great Upper Nile Region. Generally, oil companies
tend to flout national and international environmental standards in
2 Nalule, V. R., Transitioning to a Low Carbon Economy: Is Africa Ready to Bid Farewell
to Fossil Fuels? In The Palgrave Handbook of Managing Fossil Fuels and Energy Transitions
(pp. 261–286), Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2020.
3 Nyaba, Peter Adwok, South Sudan: The Crisis of Infancy. Centre for Advanced Studies of
African Society (CASAS), 2014.