Algeria

Desertification Problem

The major ecological problem facing the country is continued desertification. Algeria's production and export of petroleum relies heavily on the world's consumption of fossil fuels. Much of Algeria's oil production has traditionally been used for airline fuel, tying the country's wealth closely to an industry that has been at the forefront of greenhouse gas pollution. In fact, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita in Algeria steadily increased from 3 metric tons per capita in 1990 to 6 metric tons in 1998; it fell only slightly to 5.1 metric tons in 2003, nearly 250 percent more than its neighbor Tunisia. In 2007, it stood at 4.1 metric tons per capita. The high rate of CO2 emissions is largely because the oil wealth in Algeria has led to a much higher standard of living, with widespread use of air conditioners and heavy private use of cars. Public transportation is extremely limited, with buses operated by the national bus company. The last tramway service in Algeria, located in Algiers, closed in 1959. Although there is a relatively good railway network, it only covers some parts of the country, forcing most businesses to use road haulage on a regular basis. Traditionally, the price of gasoline has been low. In addition, in an attempt to open up the country, the government subsidizes many internal airfares, which contributes further to greenhouse gas emissions.

The start of the insurgency in 1992 led to the formation of a High State Committee to run the country. Anxious to continue engagement with the West, it took part in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) signed in Rio de Janeiro in May 1992. The Algerian government of Abdelaziz Bouteflika ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC on April 28, 2004, through a presidential decree, although the official date for the country acceding to the Kyoto Protocol was on February 16, 2005, with it entering into force on May 17, 2005. Since then, the Algerian government has been keen to promote policies to reduce carbon emissions, although per-capita emissions have risen with the increased use of petroleum fuels in the country.

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