As the world is committing resources in transitioning, to develop its renewable energy potential, it is crucial to adopt measures in financing projects that intend to increase renewable energy use.
The United Nations University, Institute for Natural Resources in Africa, UNU-INRA held a side event with UNU VIE, UN Women, IDRC, UN Human Rights and Foundation Avina at this year’s COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The theme was focused on Driving Gender-Just Energy Transition Through Financing and Capacity Building in The Global South.
Dr. Ferdinand Tornyie UNU-INRA researcher, and coordinator of the INFoCAT project, highlighted that countries in the Global South are grappling with several challenges, including fragile institutions, limited human and financial resources, and gaps in technology, gender integration, and human rights.
He said these barriers directly affect their ability to achieve a Just Energy Transition.
“To realize a meaningful shift towards renewable energy and energy efficiency, rights-based and gender-transformative approaches to financing and capacity building are essential,” he added.
In line with COP28 Decision 1/CMA.5, which calls for “deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and the specific goals to triple renewable power generation and double energy efficiency, pathways towards energy transition need to be developed in conjunction with countries.
“The Energy Transition is not just an incremental process but also a paradigm shift that includes complex techno-economic aspects as well as important social dimensions,” he reiterated.
“However, achieving a “Just Energy Transition” also necessitates adopting a human rights-based approach, which includes ensuring the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, along with promoting gender equality,” he said.
Coupled with the need to agree on a New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), capacity building for gender-transformative, rights-based approach are critical components of achieving the broader paradigm shift towards renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Dr. Tornyie added that focusing on the unique contexts of developing nations; national leaders could guide the energy transition in ways that empower countries.
He emphasized the need for projects like UNU-NRA’s INFoCAT project, which is revolutionizing agricultural productivity and economic empowerment in rural areas by promoting clean-energy technologies.
Innovate for Clean Agricultural Technologies (INFoCAT), one of UNU-INRA’s flagship aims to empower women and youth in Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire through clean energy-powered agricultural technologies – a significant step towards transforming agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa.
By addressing the setbacks in agricultural practices, integrating clean energy solutions, and fostering inclusive development, as well as create sustainable livelihoods, INFoCAT is set to empower women in rural communities.
Issues of financing and capacity building especially for women in the green space in Africa is a major challenge, and the Innovate for Clean Agricultural Technologies (INFoCAT), is critical in addressing the gaps.
As part of efforts to deepen climate resilience and ensure a Just Energy Transition in the global south, this side event emphasized the need for increased financing and capacity building for green initiatives, that are country-owned and gender inclusive, to create opportunities for youth and women in the global south.
Kingsley Adusei Amakye
