Sustainability appraisal of used vehicle trade policy options in sub-Saharan African countries

Abstract

This paper examines the structure of contemporary vehicle mitigation commitments after lead gasoline phase out in sub-Sahara Africa. First, this paper reviews some of the leading domestic trade policy proposals (emission reduction actions) with regard to their expected technology impacts. Next, it assesses the options based on establishing benchmarks for measuring policy performance in curbing vehicle emissions simultaneously with core sustainable development priorities. Assessing these options identifies the key variables in designing mitigation commitments, offers criteria for evaluating different approaches and discusses the implications of the leading alternatives. This paper argues that a more pronounced dilemma of synergies exists between vehicle emissions reduction and core development concerns as the major players target emissions too narrowly. Finally, this paper sheds more light on strategies that could be employed simultaneously at the regional and domestic levels to enhance sustainable development as trade continues to grow and evolve.

Beyond bans: A political economy of used vehicle dependency in Africa

“…Our approach to used vehicle dependency enhances the existing push-pull research and suggests that further, more holistic research is required. As discussed earlier, the push-pull approach to used vehicle dependency in Ghana (see e.g., Arhinful, 2002;Ayetor et al, 2020Ayetor et al, , 2021Chalfin, 2008;Kehbila et al, 2009) and Africa generally (Coffin et al, 2016;Davis & Kahn, 2010;Grubel, 1980;Pelletiere & Reinert, 2006;Plumer, 2020;UNECE, 2017) considers the phenomenon as being driven primarily by defective demand, effective supply, and defective regulation. The approach has considerable merits.…”

“…The problem, however, is that road construction may be one of the few cases Say's law, supply creates its own demand, applies. The prioritization of road construction coupled with the continuing underinvestment in public transport and the high social/cultural status attached to vehicle ownership (Chalfin, 2008)4 has encouraged the importation of more and more vehicles for private use through a liberalized market into Ghana (Kehbila et al, 2009;Obeng-Odoom, 2010. However, as discussed in the push-pull approach to used vehicle dependency in Africa, in common with other countries in the continent, income levels in Ghana are generally low.…”