September 17, 2024

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Environment

350. org tasks World Bank, IMF on reforms for climate justice

350.org, an international environmental organisation, has urged the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to urgently initiate reforms to address world’s financial systems responsible for the worsening climate crisis.

Pascale Hunt, Senior global Communications Specialist, 350. org, made this advocacy in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

NAN reports that the core IMF/ World Bank Spring meetings, which started on Wednesday in Washington to discuss world economic outlook and financial systems among other things, ends on Friday.

Hunt stressed the need to fix the world’s financial flows that were responsible for climate breakdown and entrenching inequality.

She said the group had initiated a campaign tagged ‘Fix the Finance’ to hold governments and stakeholders  to task on stopping finance for fossil fuels.

“A global week of Climate Justice Finance Mobilisations kicked off on April 16 until April 19 under the banner #FixTheFinance.

“This is to hold governments, UN climate talks, private banks, the IMF, the World Bank and multilateral development banks – those that hold the purse strings – to account,” she said.

Andreas Sieber, Associate Director for Global Policy and Campaigns at 350.org, said more finance and investment should be channelled towards the renewal energy sector.

“The climate crisis is now at a critical juncture; the renewable-powered world has never been closer to our grasp; investment into renewables is at an all-time high.

“But we need to take it to the next level and to finally leave fossil fuels firmly behind.

“We must address the immense injustice of the global financial system; with developing countries bearing the brunt of climate impacts without having contributed to it, and rich countries discarding accountability.

“It is time for rich countries to direct finance into renewable energy in the Global South and to play their part in fixing the system; 2024 is the year to make this happen,” he said.

In 2023, the annual UN climate talks reached a momentous agreement– a global renewable energy target–calling for the tripling of renewable energy capacity and doubling of energy efficiency gains by 2030.

350. org has the goal to address climate crisis and end the use of fossil fuels, while transiting to renewable energy. (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Environment

CSOs seek more efforts on renewable energy devt. in Africa

By Usman Aliyu

The African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at COP28 have called for the tripling of renewable energy in Africa, more focus on adaptation and increased adaptation finance to the continent.

The organisations made the call at its meeting at the ongoing climate change conference known as COP28 in Dubai.

The CSOs, joined by representatives from affected communities, were led by 350.org, Power Shift Africa and ACCESS Coalition.

The African organisations demanded stronger language on commitments on fossil fuels, adaptation at COP28, as climate negotiations enters the homestretch.

The organisations urged the negotiators to push for an outcome that would yield a fast, fair and fully-funded transition from fossil fuels.

“The current fossil fuel-based energy system in Africa has failed to deliver energy access to the continent while leaving more than half a billion Africans energy-poor.

“The ongoing negotiations are happening against the background of crippling climate change events, including the historic floods currently being experienced in East Africa that have claimed more than 350 lives and displaced a million people in Kenya and Tanzania.

“The Horn of Africa region has been recovering from a drought that ended in April, billed by climate experts as the longest and most devastating in four decades,” the group said in a statement released on Sunday.

In their arguments, the civil society groups labelled the two per cent of about $60 billion investment received by the continent in the last decade for renewable energy development as unfair, unjust and unacceptable.

They called for a scale up to more than 15,000 GW by 2030 or an average of 1500 GW annually to keep the 1.5°C temperature target within reach.

To achieve this, they called for more political support and a shift in policy and investment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Ephraims Sheyin

Environment , Solutions Journalism

Climate Change: NGO tasks African leaders on effective renewable energy transition 

By Muhyideen Jimoh
 

An international environmental organisation, 350.Org,  has called on African leaders to show more commitment to phasing out fossil fuels, while channeling resources to the development of the renewable energy sector.

Ms Rukiya Khamis, Regional Organizer, 350Africa.org, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), ahead of the launch of the “Power Up” for climate solutions initiative.

“We are calling on (African) governments and financial institutions to power up the continent safely by channeling finances to people-centered renewable energy, committing to phasing out fossil fuels, and for the fossil fuel industry to pay up for its role in the climate crisis.’’

Khamis said the heavy reliance on fossil fuels to generate energy had contributed to a lot of environmental and social problems, especially in Africa.

She stressed the need for Africa to look inward and fast-track the development of its vast renewable energy potentials, especially wind and solar.

“As we experience escalating climate impacts, to which the African continent is the most vulnerable, we are hopeful that a livable future is possible.

“Africa has an abundance of renewable energy potential that presents a unique opportunity for the continent to drive the global renewable energy revolution and foster an equitable transition away from fossil fuels,’’ she said.

The environmental activist said that as part of efforts to demand a clean, peaceful and equitable future for Africans, the NGO was leading a global month-long campaign ‘Power Up’ initiative.

She said the campaign was meant to put pressure on governments to change the narrative.

“Starting from Nov. 3, we will be calling on governments to get their act together and reclaim the excessive profits of the fossil fuels industry.

“Whether it is through taxes, ending subsidies, or stopping investments in new fossil fuel projects, they need to use this money to supercharge a global renewable energy revolution—one that is fair and shares resources equally.’’

According to her, the NGO is working closely with local groups and communities to raise awareness on the need for community-centered renewable projects, so as to evolve a clean/sustainable environment.

“The rapid heating of our planet is no accident; it is a crime perpetrated by a greedy few (Oil companies).

“For years, they have blocked climate action; all to protect their absurd wealth.

“It is time to break free from the chains of coal, oil, and gas and make the polluters pay for the urgent transformation we desperately need.

“We are taking to the streets not just in anger but with a burning hope in our hearts. We know there’s a better future, and we are determined to build it.

“People all over the world are already leading the charge towards a clean, just, and renewable world.

“Wind and solar power are smashing records year after year and getting cheaper by the day; we have got the tools and technology to make this transition a reality; what is missing is the  political will,” she said.

In Nigeria, the NGO has slated series of ‘Power Up’ activities to take place in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ogoni land in the Niger Delta to raise awareness on oil spills, environmental degradation and need for shift to renewable energy.

350. Org is a leading civil society organisation with sustained advocacy to end fossil fuels exploration in Africa and have a just shift to renewable energy.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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