U.S. President Joe Biden (C) arrives with African leaders for the group photo at the U.S. - Africa Leaders Summit on December 15, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Summit brings together heads of state, government officials, business leaders, and civil society to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Africa. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
US President Joe Biden hosted the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington recently with almost 50 African leaders in attendance. Among the points of discussion were the climate change, finance, health and political challenges faced by Africa.
A major talking point was how the US can help Africa get over the hurdle of a just energy transition.
“We’re taking on the climate crisis, prioritising not just energy transition in America but in nations of all of Africa and meeting the urgent needs of countries to adapt to the climate impacts that are already here,” Biden said.
He emphasised that America was serious about contributing to climate funding.
“Just last month, I travelled to COP27 in Egypt where I announced $150 million in an effort to support adaptation efforts in Africa, a down payment on my commitment to provide $3 billion annually to global adaptation efforts for 2024.”
Biden noted the US’s commitment to help South Africa to mobilise $8 billion in public and private finance to “replace coal-fired power plants with renewable energy sources and develop cutting-edge energy solutions like clean hydrogen”. He also mentioned a $2 billion deal for solar projects in Angola.
Energy transition
“It’s both unfair and unrealistic to ask them to turn their backs on economic development and opportunity in the name of a clean energy transition, to ask them in effect to forego what many of us have done in the past in developing our countries and our economies”, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In total, $290 million dollars had been donated by the US towards a programme called Power Africa. This will mobilise the public and private sectors to deliver cleaner, more reliable, electricity to over 165 million people in sub-Saharan Africa.
He stressed how crucial it was to “advance a just transition to a clean energy economy that both saves our planet and fosters inclusive economic opportunity”.
He went on to say Africa would be at the centre of the clean energy transition. “Its renewable energy potential is second to none. It’s home to roughly a third of all critical minerals, essential to the technology that will power the clean energy economy, like batteries for renewable energy storage and wind turbines.”
Blinken reiterated that “the United States will work closely with African countries as they determine how best to meet their specific energy needs — understanding that, for many, the clean energy transition will be a transition to consistent, reliable energy in the first place”.
Another project Blinken mentioned is Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in Energy. This initiative is important as it gives women a chance to be part of the clean energy mix in their countries.
A number of projects on the African continent
Blinken said at the summit it was important to work together to tackle climate change issues.
After his visit to the Congo Basin, also known as the “lungs of Africa ” which is the lifeline of local populations, the US invested over $600 million in the Central African Regional Program for the Environment. It aims to reduce the rate of forest degradation and loss of biodiversity in the basin and to bring the US and African governments together with NGOs in the fight to conserve ecosystems.
He said it was important to build resilient communities which would be able to fight climate change. The Russia-Ukraine war had had a major impact on food security. However, the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience would help build strong communities.
At the summit, Blinken noted that Nigeria was the first country in Africa to set targets for the regulation of methane to reduce air pollution and Equatorial Guinea had committed to cut emissions by 35% by 2030.
He highlighted that “oceans are also a key part of this fight”. The US pledged to encourage countries to commit to protect at least 30% of their ocean waters by 2030.
There is still much to be done to ensure developing countries can make a just transition and Blinken recognised that: “This is an enduring project for all of us but I think we also all feel the fierce urgency of now. And that determination is reflected in so much of the work that is being done and is being represented in this room.”
Africa to be hardest hit
Africa emits the least amount of greenhouse gases, yet is bearing the brunt of climate change with up to 118 million of the poorest Africans expected to be exposed to droughts, floods and extreme heat by 2030, according to the World Bank. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says the continent is already experiencing loss and damage due to climate change, including loss of lives, biodiversity and water sources. In April, KwaZulu-Natal was devastated by floods which claimed the lives of 489 people, destroyed 4 000 homes and displaced about 40 000 people.
However, Blinken noted: “It’s both unfair and unrealistic to ask them to turn their backs on economic development and opportunity in the name of a clean energy transition, to ask them in effect to forgo what many of us have done in the past in developing our countries and our economies.”
He said the US recognised that the best way to tackle the climate crises in Africa was to work together.
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