At the 2024 Baku Conference on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appealed to world leaders to make Africa a key player in the energy transition renewable. During the event titled “Africa’s Green Momentum: Harnessing Renewable Energy for Industrialization”, he pleaded for massive support for the continent’s energy transition, highlighting its potential to boost industrialization and sustainable development in Africa.
Building on the Nairobi Declaration and other ongoing initiatives, Mr. Guterres highlighted that renewable energy can transform Africa, not only by providing accessible and affordable electricity, but also by improving health and reducing the costs for millions of inhabitants. “From Cairo to Cape Town, renewable energy has the power to revolutionize lives,” he said, recalling the opportunity for Africa to become a world leader in the clean energy revolution.
Renewal of national commitments to achieve climate objectives
Mr. Guterres urged all countries to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by next year, thereby aligning their national policies with global climate goals to limit temperature rise to 1.5 °C. He insisted that these commitments are essential to attract investments and support sustainable energy policies. He also urged G20 countries, which are among the largest emitters of CO₂, to phase out fossil fuels and take the lead in the global energy transition.
Africa faces financial challenges to develop renewable energies
Despite its abundant solar energy resources, Africa currently accounts for only 1% of the world’s installed solar capacity, and nearly 600 million Africans remain without electricity. To close this gap, Mr. Guterres called for reform of the international financial system and asked developed countries to meet their climate finance commitments. He proposed the creation of innovative financial mechanisms, such as taxes on shipping, aviation and fossil fuel extraction, as well as development bank reforms to facilitate low-cost loans to developing countries.
“These reforms are essential to close the investment gap and encourage Africa’s clean energy revolution,” he said, emphasizing that access to finance is a crucial factor in unlocking the continent’s energy potential.
Equitable management of critical mineral resources
Africa holds vast deposits of critical minerals needed for renewable energy technologies, but these resources are often exploited to the detriment of African countries, which remain at the bottom of global value chains. Guterres called for sustainable and equitable management of these resources, aiming to ensure that African countries benefit fully from their mineral wealth. He also highlighted the role of the United Nations Expert Group on Critical Minerals as a tool to ensure that the principles of justice, equity and respect for human rights are respected throughout the chain. of value.
Fighting climate injustice
Mr. Guterres concluded by discussing the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on Africa, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions. He called on developed countries to double their climate adaptation funding to $40 billion a year by 2025 and make substantial contributions to the recently established Loss and Damage Fund.
“Africa is at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution,” he said. “Together, we can harness this green potential to build a prosperous and sustainable future.”
Moctar FICUU / VivAfrik
