{"id":6916,"date":"2024-03-20T15:53:28","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T15:53:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/euromenaenergy.com\/?p=6916"},"modified":"2024-03-20T15:53:28","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T15:53:28","slug":"climate-leadership-from-the-global-south","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/?p=6916","title":{"rendered":"Climate Leadership from the Global South"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"article__byline\"><time class=\"vl-divider\" datetime=\"2024-03-14T13:17Z\">Mar 14, 2024<\/time><span class=\"byline\"><a class=\"track-event\" href=\"https:\/\/www.project-syndicate.org\/columnist\/omar-andres-camacho\" data-entity-type=\"member\" data-entity-id=\"65f2f7e70b49d85bf138a4f7\" data-language=\"english\" data-event-action=\"click\" data-entity-link-name=\"omar-andres-camacho\" data-href-original=\"\/columnist\/omar-andres-camacho\"><span class=\"listing__author author\">OMAR ANDR\u00c9S CAMACHO<\/span><\/a><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<span class=\"byline\"><a class=\"track-event\" title=\"Soipan Tuya\" href=\"https:\/\/www.project-syndicate.org\/columnist\/soipan-tuya\" data-entity-type=\"member\" data-entity-id=\"65f2f7e80b49d85bf138a927\" data-language=\"english\" data-event-action=\"click\" data-entity-link-name=\"soipan-tuya\" data-href-original=\"\/columnist\/soipan-tuya\"><span class=\"listing__author author\">SOIPAN TUYA<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"article__abs u-mt-se\" dir=\"ltr\">\n<p>With vast solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal resources, Africa and Latin America have a central role to play in the clean-energy transition. But while countries like Colombia and Kenya have made impressive progress, additional financing \u2013 and thus reforms to the international financial system \u2013 is sorely needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article__body article__body--commentary  english\" dir=\"ltr\" data-page-area=\"article-body\">\n<p data-line-id=\"9b8000690918453fbba37bda028721d1\">BOGOT\u00c1\/NAIROBI \u2013 Last month, the International Energy Agency\u2019s ministerial gathering took place in Paris, while the African Union, which recently\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2023\/09\/african-union-g20-world-leaders\/#:~:text=The%20African%20Union%20(AU)%20has,prior%20to%20the%20AU%20joining.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">joined the G20<\/a>, held its annual summit in Addis Ababa. Both fora recognized the urgent need to fulfill the commitments made at last December\u2019s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, not least to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/news\/massive-expansion-of-renewable-power-opens-door-to-achieving-global-tripling-goal-set-at-cop28\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">triple<\/a>\u00a0installed renewable-energy capacity by 2030. But the challenges ahead are substantial.<\/p>\n<p data-line-id=\"6f1cc458322c438c8d94ec5a53606471\">COP28 identified many actions that are crucial to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Beyond the sharp increase in renewable-energy capacity, these include\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/IP_23_6053#:~:text=This%20initiative%2C%20first%20proposed%20by,of%204%25%2C%20by%202030.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">doubling<\/a>\u00a0the rate of energy-efficiency improvements by 2030, phasing down the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/unsdg.un.org\/latest\/stories\/cop28-ends-call-%E2%80%98transition-away%E2%80%99-fossil-fuels-un-chief-says-phaseout-inevitable\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">unabated<\/a>\u201d use of fossil fuels, and providing financial support to developing countries as they work to expand energy access and advance economic development.<button class=\"comment__caller icon-box icon-box--v \" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Paragraph comment\" aria-controls=\"login_register\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p data-line-id=\"8dcbb5033f33445483dad250e2167e63\">Africa and Latin America have a central role to play in fulfilling the world\u2019s net-zero ambitions. Both regions boast abundant renewable-energy potential, thanks to vast solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal resources. By leveraging these, Africa and Latin America can make rapid progress in reducing their carbon emissions, enhancing energy access, and stimulating sustainable economic growth.<button class=\"comment__caller icon-box icon-box--v \" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Paragraph comment\" aria-controls=\"login_register\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p data-line-id=\"9211638cf47049aa968c0776c0662f7d\">Our countries, Colombia and Kenya, are already making significant strides toward a cleaner energy mix. Though Colombia has massive oil and gas reserves, hydropower generation accounts for nearly\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spglobal.com\/commodityinsights\/en\/market-insights\/latest-news\/lng\/010424-colombia-imported-its-highest-annual-lng-volume-ever-in-2023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">70%<\/a>\u00a0of its electricity production. And the government is committed to increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix further by 2030. By harnessing wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal, Colombia can diversify its renewable-energy portfolio and further reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.<\/p>\n<p data-line-id=\"d5e0bd405ba348c2845b57b13369e78a\">Colombia is also taking direct action to accelerate the phaseout of fossil fuels. The government recently\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2023\/jan\/20\/colombia-stop-new-oil-gas-exploration-davos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">announced<\/a>\u00a0a ban on the issuance of new licenses for oil and gas exploration, and has signaled its intention to address the negative effects of fossil-fuel extraction. These measures will not only curb carbon emissions, but also help protect the country\u2019s vulnerable ecosystems and rich biodiversity.<button class=\"comment__caller icon-box icon-box--v \" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Paragraph comment\" aria-controls=\"login_register\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p data-line-id=\"5169b166db9345b49b8e51d2b07095da\">As for Kenya, it is emerging as a renewable-energy success story in Africa. Using its vast geothermal, wind, solar, and hydroelectric resources, Kenya has raised the share of renewables in its electricity generation to a whopping\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.imf.org\/en\/Publications\/fandd\/issues\/2022\/12\/country-case-kenya-taps-the-earth-heat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">94%<\/a>. Its geothermal sector has achieved remarkable growth, making it Africa\u2019s leading producer of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/african.business\/2023\/11\/energy-resources\/africa-set-to-overtake-europe-on-geothermal-capacity-says-consultancy#:~:text=Kenya%20has%20led%20the%20way,world's%20seventh%2Dlargest%20geothermal%20producer.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">geothermal power<\/a>. And now, Kenya is helping its neighbors, Ethiopia and Djibouti, to harness their own geothermal resources as well.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article__body article__body--commentary  english\" dir=\"ltr\" data-page-area=\"article-body\">\n<p data-line-id=\"0b4c2b2415624742bf70eecb9d3c866d\">Underpinning Kenya\u2019s progress are government efforts to implement supportive policies and create an enabling environment for private investment. The Kenyan government\u2019s forward-thinking approach has not only resulted in expanded energy access for its people; it has also created jobs and local industries, thereby advancing economic development and opening up opportunities to collaborate with others. Kenya is a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irena.org\/Events\/2024\/Jan\/Accelerated-Partnership-for-Renewables-in-Africa-Country-Consultations-Zimbabwe#:~:text=Founded%20at%20the%20African%20Climate,to%20accelerate%20energy%20transitions%20in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">founding member<\/a>\u00a0of Accelerated Partnerships for Renewables in Africa, an initiative that aims to bolster the energy transition in African countries, with support from Denmark, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates.<button class=\"comment__caller icon-box icon-box--v \" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Paragraph comment\" aria-controls=\"login_register\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p data-line-id=\"5cc1fad5efbd4be895927dfe79b12b11\">Colombia and Kenya\u2019s achievements should be highlighted and celebrated to motivate and guide other countries in their own clean-energy transitions. Those with fossil-fuel resources, for example, must follow Colombia\u2019s example in limiting oil and gas exploration.<button class=\"comment__caller icon-box icon-box--v \" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Paragraph comment\" aria-controls=\"login_register\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p data-line-id=\"e542841231c440cf823a2f340c6f088d\">But Colombia and Kenya are not only passive models for others to follow; they are also active global leaders. If their clean-energy transitions didn\u2019t already make their commitments apparent, their recent decision to join the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/beyondoilandgasalliance.org\/who-we-are\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Beyond Oil &amp; Gas Alliance<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 an international coalition of governments and partners working to facilitate the fossil-fuel phaseout \u2013 should make them so.<button class=\"comment__caller icon-box icon-box--v \" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Paragraph comment\" aria-controls=\"login_register\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p data-line-id=\"4a465706c95c4772b28353e4a0491216\">Still, financing is key if the world is to realize its clean-energy ambitions. Low investment in Africa is a major challenge. A recent BloombergNEF\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/about.bnef.com\/blog\/scaling-up-renewable-energy-in-africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">report<\/a>\u00a0shows that in 2021, just 0.6% ($2.6 billion) of the $434 billion invested in renewable-energy projects went to African countries. A sharp increase in funding flows from rich countries to clean-energy sectors in both Africa and Latin America is urgently needed.<button class=\"comment__caller icon-box icon-box--v \" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Paragraph comment\" aria-controls=\"login_register\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p data-line-id=\"6be9c224d46846cd94fe55e6db4d066f\">Beyond direct financial support from rich countries, the global financial system \u2013 including the International Monetary Fund and multilateral development banks \u2013 must urgently be reformed, so that it is fairer and more efficient. Only then can this system deliver enough financing to meet the growing needs of developing economies. Coordinated action to ease the debt burdens on developing economies is also vital.<button class=\"comment__caller icon-box icon-box--v \" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Paragraph comment\" aria-controls=\"login_register\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p data-line-id=\"66098f294a404d6baeb66f2f21db2917\">At COP28, the Global South demonstrated solidarity and a commitment to cooperation. By sharing knowledge and best practices, developing economies can drastically accelerate the clean-energy transition. But, if the world is to succeed at combating climate change and safeguarding our collective future, bold action to ensure adequate financing is essential.<button class=\"comment__caller icon-box icon-box--v \" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Paragraph comment\" aria-controls=\"login_register\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article__footer-widget\" data-message-area=\"end-of-article\">\n<div class=\"listing special asize u-mtb asize--b special--generic\" dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en-us\" data-message-area=\"promotion-ArticleFooter\" data-page-subarea=\"promotion-generic\">\n<figure class=\"image image--ratio-c    \"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/webapi.project-syndicate.org\/library\/a169b83e33425692ccf921c233a06bb3.16-9-medium.1.png\" media=\"--xsmall\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/webapi.project-syndicate.org\/library\/a169b83e33425692ccf921c233a06bb3.4-3-large.1.png\" \/><\/picture><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mar 14, 2024OMAR ANDR\u00c9S CAMACHO\u00a0and\u00a0SOIPAN TUYA With vast solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal resources, Africa and Latin America have a central role to play in the clean-energy transition. But while countries like&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6918,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[40,46,48,50,57,68,76,77,78,79,80,82,86,87,88,90,95,96,98,99,103,107,109,111,112,114,121,123,137,139,146,148,153,159,174,176,181,182,184,187,196,201,202,203,209,217,221,222,229,231,232,233,239,241,244,246,249,250,251,252,256,262,263,266,268,277,279,280,283,285,288,300],"class_list":["post-6916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climate","tag-alleviation","tag-aramco","tag-athens","tag-athensenergydialogues","tag-baroudi","tag-carbon","tag-climate","tag-climate-change","tag-climateaction","tag-climatechange","tag-closure-of-nuclear","tag-co2","tag-cyprus","tag-decarbonising","tag-decarbonization","tag-democracy","tag-disputes","tag-doha","tag-east","tag-eastmed","tag-egypt","tag-embargo","tag-emissions","tag-energy","tag-energy-market","tag-energyindustry","tag-europe","tag-european-fuels","tag-gas","tag-gazprom","tag-greece","tag-greenenergy","tag-hydrocarbons","tag-international","tag-lebanon","tag-liquefied-natural-gas","tag-maritime","tag-maritime-boundaries","tag-maritime-disputes","tag-mediterranean","tag-natural-gas","tag-offshore","tag-oil","tag-oil-and-gas","tag-opec","tag-peace","tag-plants","tag-pollution","tag-poverty","tag-power","tag-putin","tag-qatar","tag-renewable-energy","tag-reserves","tag-rosneft","tag-roudi","tag-russia","tag-russia-in-the-european-energy-sector","tag-russian-gas","tag-russian-sanctions","tag-saudi","tag-solar","tag-solar-power","tag-straddling","tag-sustainability","tag-total","tag-trump","tag-turkey","tag-ukrain","tag-unclos","tag-usa","tag-300"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6916"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6916\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emimer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}