Page 5 - AfrElec Week 08 2022

AfrElec COMMENTARY AfrElec

climate risk and is already facing the impacts of
climate change. COP, the EU will be judged on its delivery of the
However, a joint approach on Loss and Dam- Glasgow promise to double adaption finance, as
age (L&D) was not part of the public statements. well as on the Glasgow Dialogue for L&D.
Excluding L&D from the summit was a Engaging constructively with African part-
missed opportunity for more concrete coopera- ners on specific solutions for these two topics
tion to develop solutions, and for the EU to start will be crucial to showing the EU is taking its
delivering on its Glasgow promises. commitments seriously.
The EU must show it can leverage its clean Delivering partnerships with individual
economy to support the development needs of countries to drive forward the energy transition
its partners, but a reset is needed in the way it is in the EU’s self-interest. It would send a strong
addresses climate, trade and development. signal that energy transition is also in Africa’s
This summit showed that the EU is willing to self-interest.
work with partners to lay the basis for stronger Over the last two decades, only 2% of global
co-operation. However, without the whole spec- renewable energy investment has happened in
trum of economic and diplomatic measures Africa. Global Gateway is an opportunity to
implemented, delivery will be compromised. shift investments from fossil fuels to renewable
Looking ahead, the EU has more to do. It energy. France’s announcement of new part-
must shift from announcements to implemen- nerships with some African countries (Senegal,
tation, fulfilling Glasgow climate promises to Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Morocco) needs
maintain international credibility. a Team Europe approach.
To keep 1.5 C alive, all major economies need The EU’s upcoming International Energy
to deliver on their NDCs and raise ambition by Strategy must focus on putting clean energy at
COP27. the centre of the broader energy, development
With COP27 being portrayed as the “African” and trade co-operation with Africa.™

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