Sub-Saharan Africa

The countries that comprise sub-Saharan Africa rely more on their natural resource base for economic and social needs than any other region in the world. Two out of three of sub-Saharan Africa's people live in rural areas and depend on agriculture and other natural resources for income. However, the environmental resource base of the region is shrinking rapidly. Environmental problems of sub-Saharan Africa include air and water pollution, deforestation, loss of soil and soil fertility, and a dramatic decline in biodiversity throughout the region. Although Africa's various environmental problems are increasingly severe, most countries are so crippled by poverty that few resources are available for managing the environment. Sub-Saharan Africa
More effective economic policies in many sub-Saharan African countries since the mid-1990s have led to improved economic development and performance. During 1995-98, real GDP growth averaged 4.25% a year, an increase from less than 1.5% a year during 1990-94. Real GDP growth has stagnated more recently, however, at about 3.0% for the past two years. Inadequate levels of investment of both physical and human capital persist, as exceptionally high levels of risk and uncertainty remain at the core of Africa's lack of competitiveness. Establishing a positive investment climate in Africa is increasingly important as the HIV/AIDS epidemic is poised to undermine economic growth for the next 15
The use of wood for fuel is predominant in both rural and urban locations -- accounting for approximately 70% of total energy use and 90% of household energy use in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa is the world's largest consumer of biomass energy (firewood, agricultural residues, animal wastes, and charcoal), calculated as a percentage of overall energy consumption. In 2001, total commercial energy consumption in sub-Saharan Africa measured 2.90 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu).Nigeria consistently leads sub-Saharan Africa in commercial energy consumption. In 2001, Nigeria consumed 0.92 quadrillion Btu (quads), 32% of all energy consumed in the region. Of the remaining countries, Zimbabwe registered the next highest level with 0.24 quads of energy consumed. Ghana followed close behind with consumption of 0.17 quads. These numbers are generally higher than in most of sub-Saharan Africa, which averaged a low 0.06 quads in 2001. Although domestic demand for energy consumption in sub-Saharan Africa is growing rapidly, consumption levels remain well below world averages. Per capita energy-related carbon emissions in sub-Saharan Africa countries vary greatly, in part because certain countries tend to consume more carbon intensive fuels than others. For example, in 2001 Botswana emitted 0.79 metric tons of energy-related carbon per