From cultural heritage to sustainable energy: Africa as a laboratory for the future. The case of Gorée Island in Senegal

Gorée Island, Senegal, demonstrates how integrating UNESCO World Heritage Sites with sustainable energy transitions can yield measurable benefits for human, animal, and environmental health. By replacing diesel generators with grid-connected electricity in 2018, the island achieved reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and economic development. This case highlights a scalable model that aligns heritage preservation with renewable energy innovation, such as Senegal's Taiba N'Diaye Wind Farm, while reinforcing social resilience through cultural dimensions. The study positions Gorée as a replicable example for other African and Mediterranean coastal sites, linking local practices to continental strategies like the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and global frameworks from UNESCO and the IEA.

Rondinella, A. (2025). From cultural heritage to sustainable energy: Africa as a laboratory for the future. The case of Gorée Island in Senegal. Sahelian Journal of Responsible One Health, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/sjroh.2025.556