AU says renewables are Africa’s path for a green recovery
A report by the IRENA says by directing stimulus packages towards green recovery the world can create 42 million jobs by 2050
Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy with the African Union Commission (AUC), says now is the best time to move towards a green economy.
Dr Abou-Zeid said it is time to shift towards a more sustainable and emission-free transport system and industrial processes, and that this is the way to building a greener and better future for Africa.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Innovation Week, held under the theme “Renewable Solutions for Transport and Industry”.
The event was convened to explore innovative solutions to support decarbonisation of the industry and transport sectors.
According to Dr Abou-Zeid, Africa has been a minor contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
“To date, energy-related CO₂ emissions in Africa represented around 2% of cumulative global emissions. Although Africa experiences rapid economic growth, its contribution to global cumulative CO₂ emissions is predicted to increases to only 3% by 2040 based on the current Stated Policies Scenario. However, Africa is among the regions hardest hit by the ravaging effects of climate change,” said Commissioner Abou-Zeid.
“At AUC, we work around the clock in collaboration with international agencies, global and continental stakeholders to initiate programmes that support in harnessing the African abundant renewable energy resources to ensure modern, efficient, reliable, cost-effective, clean, sustainable and environmental-friendly energy [for] all African households, businesses, industries and institutions,” Dr Abou-Zeid said.
She outlined the importance of a global clean energy transformation and presented some of the ongoing initiatives and programs, led by AUC in collaboration with global partners, including the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) and the programme for Renewable Energy in African Island States (REAIS), among others.
Comprehensive steps
For African cities, the AU Commission has taken steps for a comprehensive and integrated urban transport and mobility policy. This policy will combine measures aimed at reducing the use of private cars, increased use of renewable energies, promotion of mass transit transports, the systematic deployment of ITS and ICT solutions.
Dr Abou-Zeid further stressed the importance of investing now on innovative solutions to provide access to energy, sustainable transport and urban mobility, and especially in digitisation as the main means to boost post-COVID economic recovery.
She emphasised the need to strengthen existing partnerships and work more closely to advocate the use of renewable energy resources in Africa. This is what will transform the continent’s transport and industrial sectors to face issues of climate change and pave the way for a sustainable economy, she said.
Unlocking potential
Francesco La Camera, director general of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), said the agency’s latest report shows that: “Renewables employed 11.5 million people in 2019. While COVID has certainly had an impact, the sector is resilient.
“By directing stimulus packages towards green recovery the world can create 42 million jobs by 2050.
“Innovation is creating the solutions we need to transform our energy systems and it will hone in on the actions needed to unlock their potential,” Camera adds.
“We believe hydrogen is key to the European Union’s (EU) decarbonisation strategy to carbon neutrality by 2050. We have members that plan to produce more energy than they can use, and others with excellent renewable energy sources to produce hydrogen,” said Kadri Simson, EU Commissioner for Energy.
The meeting provided a strategic overview of the transformative effects of innovation in challenging transport and industry, including a deep vision of what is happening, what is possible and what needs to be explored further collectively.
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