UN's Guterres to world: Africa must lead world in renewable energy
The Africa Climate Summit summit, which is a first of its kind taking place in Nairobi from September 4 to 6, is expected to host leaders of least 16 African countries, per Kenyan daily newspaper Star on Tuesday.
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A worker walks past an Africa Climate Summit logo during preparations ahead of the Africa Climate Summit 2023 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 2, 2023. (AFP)
The global community was urged by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday to make Africa a global leader in renewable energy in an effort to address the increasing threat of climate change.
At the Africa Climate Summit in Kenya, Guterres said: "[My point is] making Africa a world leader in renewable energy and green growth ... We must all work together for Africa to become a renewable energy superpower," emphasizing that the global financial system must also be reformed for all resources produced and traded in Africa to generate the maximum added value to the region and thus easing transition into green energy.
G20 members, responsible for almost 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions, were called on to take up their roles in addressing the matter.
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The summit, which is a first of its kind taking place in Nairobi from September 4 to 6, is expected to host leaders of at least 16 African countries, as per Kenyan daily newspaper Star on Tuesday.
The newspaper also reported that African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also expected to attend the event.
Nigeria to top it off
Earlier this year, a report issued by Nigeria’s government and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) stated that by 2050, energy needs would be met in Nigeria, as renewable energy sources account for nearly 60% of final energy consumption if the African nation enforces an "increased renewable uptake scenario."
One of the objectives is for Nigeria to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 20% unconditionally and 47% conditionally by the year 2030, additionally reaching net-zero emissions by 2060.
IRENA’s Director-General Francesco La Camera expressed that "planning must begin now in earnest" after highlighting that "a vital juncture" has been reached in Nigeria and has come to a point where it must decide to either follow its long-standing strategy and reliability on fossil fuels or take the step toward renewable energy for an economic boost and energy cost reduction.
