In the inaugural week of COP28 in Dubai, African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) presented a concise and impactful 5-point statement on energy needs for Africa. Ephraim Shitima, Chair of the Africa Group of Negotiators, conveyed the statement to COP negotiators, underscoring its significance.
Delegations from the Global South express dismay at omitting energy access provisions in the draft decision on just transitions at the ongoing climate talks. The CSOs assert that the climate crisis in Africa is both a development and energy issue, advocating that energy access decisions must be integral to the just transition workstream.
Moreover, the African Civil Society Organizations stress that support for Africa’s transition to renewable energy should be a focal point within the just transition decision, ensuring justice for Africans. Demands include equity, transparency, human rights in the energy sector, cessation of fossil fuels, and acknowledgment of historical responsibility by developed nations.
A primary goal for Africa at COP28 is to triple investments in renewable energy after the Africa Climate Summit fell short of ambitious outcomes. Muhammed Lamin Saidykh of CAN-International emphasizes the need to reshape the agenda, involving African experts to address unique challenges and prioritize renewable energy systems, electrification, and infrastructure.
The African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) assert five key demands in their statement:
Equity and historical responsibility from developed countries
Adherence to human rights, worker, community, and ecosystem protection
Fair and transparent processes for African involvement in energy decision-making
Prioritization of accountability, transparency, and stakeholder involvement
Immediate phase-out of fossil fuels, especially in developed countries benefiting from historical emissions
CSOs also call for scaling up renewable energy to over 15,000 GW by 2030, averting a 1.5°C temperature increase. Political support, global policy shifts, and increased investment are critical to achieving these targets.
The African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) insist that Africa urgently needs a people-centric, environmentally and socially appropriate renewable energy rollout to combat the climate crisis and energy poverty, and drive development. The movement calls for an end to misaligned climate support and genuine assistance from historical polluters to curb global temperature rise.
Amos Wemanya of Power Shift Africa stresses that there is no climate justice without human rights, emphasizing that renewable energy deployment in Africa must respect fundamental rights, including those of Indigenous Peoples.
Janet Milongo of the Global Platform of Action highlights COP28 as a pivotal forum, urging it to rectify the course for Africa. The objective is to shift from a regressive fossil fuel-driven energy system to a progressive, empowering, and distinctly African renewable energy paradigm.
A genuine commitment to Africa’s dignified energy future hinges on prioritizing African needs and ensuring full and equitable participation in the energy transition. These commitments become actionable when accompanied by the necessary financial support to meet the scale of the African energy transition.
