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Philip Costa
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In the world of climate diplomacy, words matter a lot. Negotiations have hinged on "shall" vs "should", "phase out" vs "phase down", "green" vs "low-carbon".
And they matter in domestic politics too, as we found out when a hostile Republican Congressman asked US climate envoy John Kerry yesterday if he was "planning to commit America to climate reparations".
Before the Republican could finish his sentence, Kerry had shot back "no, definitely not" and asked him to put an exclamation mark beside the answer.
That pleased the Trumpian congressman from Florida but it angered many climate campaigners, after it was reported in some quarters as a refusal to pay into the new loss and damage fund, which the US had reluctantly agreed not to block at Cop27.
But that's not how it was interpreted by Avinash Persaud, Barbados's representative on the loss and damage transitional committee, and the veteran, Washington-literate climate campaigner Alden Meyer.
The word "reparations" implies liability and links climate rhetorically to slavery, Meyer said. It was a political trap that Kerry's been around long enough not to fall into.
A friendly Democrat later asked Kerry about his goals for Cop28 and one of them was the creation of a loss and damage fund.
But historically, the US has been the main blocker not just of "climate reparations" but of loss and damage - and nobody has been more personally associated with that than John Kerry.
Whether it's now the word he objects to or the principle, we'll find out when the time comes for rich governments to make their loss and damage pledges, which campaigners are calling for at Cop28.
This week's news
- Kerry rejects “climate reparations” but praises loss and damage fund
- UAE’s Cop28 president plans “brutally honest” climate summit
- EU to push for fossil fuel phaseout ‘well ahead of 2050’ at Cop28
- Canada pledges US$340m to UN’s Green Climate Fund
- IEA celebrates energy transition minerals investment, as fears of shortage lessen
- After “sleepless nights”, governments strike deal on Green Climate Fund strategy
- Green Climate Fund backs scheme financing farming corporations accused of destroying forests
- ‘Historic milestone’: Ecuador nears vote to keep Amazon oil in the ground
...and comment
And domestic politics impinges on climate finance north of the US border too. Announcing an allocation to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on Wednesday, Canada's climate minister came close to doing what all rich country climate ministers must long to do: blame their finance minister for an underwhelming climate finance pledge.
After announcing the US$340m over four years pledge, former Greenpeace activist Steven Guilbeault said: "Would I like Canada to put even more money on the table? I’m the environment and climate change minister, not the finance minister unfortunately. But I think we can always do better”.
Still, the GCF had a busy week approving millions of dollars in new climate change projects and gavelled a new 2024-2027 strategy.
But that didn't kept the fund from making some controversial decisions. The GCF also approved a $190 million project for a Dutch investment fund with a history of financing deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. The project "is paying the polluters instead of having them pay,” one campaigner said.
Every company should factor nature into their climate plans. This means playing their part in cutting the 35% of global emissions that are related to forestry, farming and land use and investing beyond their value chain to protect and restore natural ecosystems. We Mean Business Coalition has compiled the latest guidance for companies working to incorporate nature in their climate action plans.
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Click on the image to read this article. Learning to use an electric cement mixer in Busia County, Kenya. Image Source: Kudura Africa
Download ESI Africa Issue 1-2023
In this edition, read why African countries are the ideal place to try something new in efforts to support the increasing global demand for affordable, clean and reliable electricity.
SA Transport Ministry suggests vehicle subsidies
South Africa’s Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has called for incentives such as vehicles subsidies to combat the country’s growing air pollution problem.
Saudi-funded electricity project to increase access in Rwanda
The Saudi Fund for Development has signed off on a $20 million concessional development loan with Rwanda to implement an electricity programme set to benefit at least 60,000 people.
Solar for DRC to increase clean energy access
A Canadian renewable energy development and engineering company has acquired an 85% stake in two solar power projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nairobi: Firm seeks Technical Engineer for Solar PV and BESS
An investment management firm specialising in renewable energy is looking for a Technical Engineer for solar and battery storage in Nairobi, Kenya. DEADLINE: 11 August 2023
Zimbabwe: Energy company seeks Solar Technical Coordinator
A Swiss multinational mid- and downstream oil company is looking for a large-scale Solar Technical Coordinator in Harare, Zimbabwe. CLOSING DATE: 6 August 2023
Ntiyiso Consulting on market developments
Auntony Mukhwanazi spoke with ESI Africa on industry opportunities and the role the private sector can play in Africa's energy transition.
Find out all about the choice upcoming events in the energy industry
20-21 September 2023 | Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) | Johannesburg, Gauteng
Come and explore energy efficiency in sustainability and development goals.
1-3 October 2023 | Smarter Mobility Africa Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Join us as Smarter Mobility Africa summit returns to a full scale physical event during African Mobility Month and October Transport Month.
3-5 October 2023 | Windaba | CTICC, Cape Town
Register to attend Africa's premier wind energy conference and exhibition.
4-6 October 2023 | ESG Africa Conference | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Secure your seat at this 2023 ESG conference under the theme, ‘Sustainable Future Through Leadership’.
24-26 October 2023 | Africa PPP Summit | Casablanca, Morocco
Attend the longest-running infrastructure investment strategic summit.
14-15 November 2023 | Conscious Brands & Circular Economy Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Register to attend a summit that promotes the adoption of circular economy practices within Africa’s business landscape.
Do you know of a friend or colleague that will enjoy this content?
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Ed's note: The African Single Electricity Market supply and demand profile
In 2019, Africa’s electricity demand stood at approximately 700 terawatt-hours (TWh). Besides South Africa, only around 210TWh of this electricity demand comes from all sub-Saharan countries. So, while demand growth is happening, is it enough to support an African Single Electricity Market?
The African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) is the AU’s ambitious plan to interconnect its 55 member states to facilitate energy trading. Through an interconnected grid, AfSEM will enable access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy services across the African continent.
Furthermore, through well-interconnected and efficient national, regional, and continental electricity markets, we can achieve social development and leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. So, there is much to gain from achieving AfSEM.
Djibouti gets funding for water desalination and wastewater treatment
The European Investment Bank has agreed to invest more than $86,5 million to transform water security for 550,000 people in Djibouti.
Western Cape foundry to have solar energy system built
A foundry in the Western Cape has signed a long-term power purchase agreement with an integrated energy solutions company to build a solar energy system.
$179M loan to improve climate-resilient infrastructure in Benin
The AfDB has awarded Benin a total loan of €164.25 million to improve urban service delivery and build climate-resilient infrastructure.
Rensource signs debt finance agreement for C&I power projects
Rensource Energy has announced the closing of a $15 million facility with Afrigreen Debt Impact Fund SLP.
Nigeria’s petrol subsidy removal: short-term pain vs long-term gain
The Nigerian government’s removal of the petrol subsidy is crucial to restoring macroeconomic stability, but the country needs a new social compact to protect poor and vulnerable citizens, says a World Bank report.
Diversifying Africa’s mineral supply chains for a smooth energy transition
A new IRENA report on the geopolitics of critical minerals calls for collaborative supply chain strategies to sustain the energy transition.
How ECG doubled revenue collection using metering technology
Listen as David Asamoah, General Manager at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), explains how the company doubled revenue by adopting prepaid smart meters and shutting off unpaying customers.
Latest energy and power news headlines | Week 28 of 2023
Watch the latest news highlights with ESI Africa content specialist Nasi Hako and catch up on energy and power news from around Africa.
CLICK HERE for the full listing of upcoming industry events
20-21 September 2023 | Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) | Johannesburg, Gauteng
Come and explore energy efficiency in sustainability and development goals.
1-3 October 2023 | Smarter Mobility Africa Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Join us as Smarter Mobility Africa summit returns to a full scale physical event during African Mobility Month and October Transport Month.
3-5 October 2023 | Windaba | CTICC, Cape Town
Register to attend Africa's premier wind energy conference and exhibition.
4-6 October 2023 | ESG Africa Conference | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Secure your seat at this 2023 ESG conference under the theme: Sustainable Future Through Leadership.
24-26 October 2023 | Africa PPP Summit | Casablanca, Morocco
Attend the longest-running infrastructure investment strategic summit.
14-15 November 2023 | Conscious Brands & Circular Economy Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Register to attend a summit that promotes the adoption of circular economy practices within Africa’s business landscape.
Do you know of a friend or colleague that will enjoy this content?
VUKA Group, Ground Floor, Ebden House, Belmont Park, Rondebosch, Western Cape 7700, South Africa
Nicolette <nico...@esi-africa.com>
Click on the image to read the article. Rensource Energy has announced the closing of a $15 million facility with Afrigreen Debt Impact Fund SLP. Image source: Rensource Energy
The role of OEMs in dealing with Eskom's energy crisis
An assessment could lead to a concession model to bring in OEMs to improve the energy availability factor of coal-fired power plants.
Rwanda gets funding for water and sanitation programme
The programme aims to improve water and sanitation governance and access to basic water supply and sanitation services.
Mozambique: Solar power to feed national grid
An independent power company has agreed to purchase a majority stake in a solar plant in Mozambique.
Solar and wind energy showing exponential growth - analysis
Two new pieces of research show that solar and wind energy are growing faster than expected.
Clean tech - solar, EVs - show record growth but only in a few regions
The IEA report noted that transition is also occurring at different speeds across regions and sectors.
How e-mobility can be used as a tool for energy security
Listen to Anazi Zote-Piper, Head of Content at Smarter Mobility Africa, explain how e-mobility has the potential to contribute to the just energy transition and tackle energy insecurity.
Find out all about the choice upcoming events in the energy industry
20-21 September 2023 | Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) | Johannesburg, Gauteng
Come and explore energy efficiency in sustainability and development goals.
1-4 October 2023 | Smarter Mobility Africa Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Join us as Smarter Mobility Africa summit returns to a full-scale physical event during African Mobility Month and October Transport Month.
3-5 October 2023 | Windaba | CTICC, Cape Town
Register to attend Africa's premier wind energy conference and exhibition.
4-6 October 2023 | ESG Africa Conference | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Secure your seat at this 2023 ESG conference under the theme, ‘Sustainable Future Through Leadership’.
24-26 October 2023 | Africa PPP Summit | Casablanca, Morocco
Attend the longest-running infra-investment strategic summit.
14-15 November 2023 | Conscious Brands & Circular Economy Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Register to attend a summit that promotes the adoption of circular economy practices within Africa’s business landscape.
Do you know of a friend or colleague that will enjoy this content?
VUKA Group, Ground Floor, Ebden House, Belmont Park, Rondebosch, Western Cape 7700, South Africa