Impact

Earth Day Risks Becoming a Hallmark Holiday Amid Rampant Greenwashing and Deceptive Marketing

As Earth Day celebrations unfolded across the globe this weekend, Denis Hayes, one of the founders of Earth Day, expressed his dismay at the "appalling" environmental messaging and greenwashing by oil and gas companies. At the same time, Big Oil continues to invest millions in marketing campaigns aimed at coopting climate change coverage to diminish its impact, despite minimal investment in genuinely sustainable activities.

Finance

Financing and knowledge crucial for Ethiopia's ambitious energy goals

In a country where 56 per cent of the population still has little or no access to electricity, achieving universal access in the next couple of years is an ambitious goal. This is, however, exactly what the Ethiopian government hopes to achieve by 2025 through a combination of grid and off-grid based solutions. To ensure this aspiration becomes reality, the country must increase financing for off-grid renewable energy solutions and find ways to boost knowledge and understanding of the sector.

Finance

Regulatory Obstacles and Financing Challenges Throttle Renewable Energy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa

As deputy director for Africa for the World Resources Institute in Kenya, Rebekah Shirley works with local clean energy companies that demonstrate to the world that Africa is invested in fighting climate change, she said in a TED Talk.

Technologies
Revolutionizing Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) through Blockchain

Blockchain is in the spotlight this month and you will get to know of its potential in the battle against energy poverty. Blockchain can be a game-changer in accelerating the scaling of innovations to increase energy access to the millions of people rural communities living in Africa and Asia living without access to reliable power.

Clean energy transition through integrated energy, what will it take?

Neither centralized nor decentralized energy is purpose-built to end energy poverty at scale, alone. Integrated energy approach through public private partnerships can accelerate energy access, through faster and lower-cost electrification, and advance productive use of energy. However, regulatory and finance interventions are needed to transform national energy systems into robust networks that deliver reliable, affordable, universal access for all.

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Africa
Zambia Launches Bold Plan to Power Health Clinics with Solar

Over 50 years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that access to quality health services is a fundamental human right. This declaration is echoed by SDG 3 (“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”). However, today only half of the global population has access to health care.

COVID-19: African health officials issue “SOS” for solar power

African healthcare officials describe the urgent need for much greater support for electrifying rural healthcare facilities, calling the situation an emergency because of COVID-19.

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Finance
Charting Path to COP27: New and Old Challenges and Hope for Permanent Solutions

Energy sector leaders, politicians and activists voice their hopes for the upcoming COP27 to be held in Egypt in November. The rallying call is on climate finance. There is an urgent need for financial support to rebuild and better protect the nations most impacted by climate change.

Going Beyond Access: Financing of Assets and Appliances Stimulates Energy Demand in Uganda

According to a recent household survey by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, only 57% of Ugandans have access to any form of electricity. Of these, 19% and 38% were connected to the grid and off-grid power, respectively. Most of those without access to electricity are in rural areas where over 75% of the households reside and depend on agriculture as their main source of income.

Policy
India can lead in ending energy poverty for good: will it seize the opportunity?

Power for All looks into the role India needs to play in ending energy poverty by increasing investments in decentralised renewable energy sector.

Accelerating the global energy transition powered by a young workforce

To be successful, the energy transition will require a generational transition as well. New ideas, new leadership, and new opportunities depend on putting young people at the center of shaping the future of energy systems in Africa and Asia. The time for business-as-usual approaches is ending, as we take the first steps toward the next energy generation and a new legacy.