Sustainable Energy for All
It is extraordinary that in 2012 nearly 7 in 10 people living in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity or modern energy sources.
The majority of these people have to heat their homes and cook on open fires, using traditional fuels like wood. The smoke and fumes produced from these traditional energy sources contributes to nearly two million deaths every year across the world, mainly affecting women and children.
But, it has wider implications too.
It means that huge swathes of people have no evening light, limited access to modern communications and inadequate education and health facilities, which are all vital for reducing poverty.
Unreliable or unaffordable electricity also means businesses struggle to function and prosper – both in urban and rural areas. Addressing this is crucial to providing jobs – which the world’s poorest prioritize above all else.
The Problem in Numbers
- Nearly 7 in 10 people living in sub-Saharan Africa don’t have access to electricity, and 8 in 10 heat their homes and cook on open fires using traditional fuels like wood.
- This contributes to nearly two million deaths every year across the world, mainly affecting women and children.
- Currently by 2030, 645 million people (49% of the population) in sub-Saharan Africa will still not have electricity, and 900 million (68% of the population) people will still be cooking and heating their homes using inefficient cooking facilities.
- Roughly 60 % of African businesses cite access to reliable power as a binding constraint for their operations and growth; thereby severely limiting job growth and economic opportunities.
There is a way to change this. Countries like Thailand have shown how it can be done, increasing the share of the population with access to electricity from 25% to almost 100% in just over a decade.
The same can be done in Africa. But current efforts are insufficient to address this energy poverty. Unless we urgently change direction, 645 million people in sub-Saharan Africa will still not have electricity in 2030, that’s nearly 50% of the projected population.
We need a step change in our approach, and this is the year to do it. 2012 is the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. This is a United Nations (UN) initiative that brings together business, governments, investors, community groups and academia with the aim of securing universal access to modern energy services by 2030.
The three goals of this initiative are, by 2030, to:
1) Achieve universal access to modern energy services
2) Double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency
3) Double the share of renewable energy in the global mix
Political momentum is starting to develop around this initiative, led by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and other global leaders, but it is crucial that this momentum is now turned into concrete support if the poorest are to get the support they need.
That is why ONE is calling on world leaders to pledge their support to the goals of the UN Sustainable Energy for All initiative as a first step towards achieving modern energy access for all by 2030, helping the poorest people in the world escape poverty.
In the weeks ahead keep an eye out on the ONE blog and check out our new Hot Topic page on Sustainable Energy.
Update: see a feed of updates from the sustainable energy for all summit:
- Previous Post Thriving around the world
- Next Post Speed Dating in Rwanda: Technology Meets Development
 |
 |
 |
About the Blog
The International ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with guest contributions from ONE volunteers, members and allies.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
16/04/2012 at 12:09 pm
Thanks. In addition, the rising costs of wood fuel due to demand from rising population growth is worsening the situation in Uganda and other East African countries. Alternatives like LPG, solar energy are not yet accessible as viable alternatives for the majority of the poor
Kimbowa Richard
Blog: http://southgreeneconomy.blogspot.com/
16/04/2012 at 12:41 pm
Pakistan is undergoing a terrible energy crisis and we would also appreciate help in this area and some awareness on the part of the rest of the world.. there is a great potential for windmill farms and solar energy here. It is expensive to set these up but with some help from our own government too we could achieve efficiency in generating enough power and end our dependency on expensive fuel imports.
16/04/2012 at 2:24 pm
dear TOM WALLACE greeting from A.A.U. Ethiopia
Indeed it is our problem particularly cooking traditional by using wood is true. we can make modern fuel saving devices,it’ll save wood in terms of consumption per hectare or solar energy. i was worked in S.C.F.U.K. in AMHARA Reign in the area of modern fuel saving devices for woman entrepreneur. hence, if we just make and provide we can reduce smoke and fumes. thank you!
18/04/2012 at 9:34 am
Tom and Kimbowa Richard,
There are affordable ways that people at the base of the pyramid can access solar energy effectively. Social businesses like ToughStuff make personal solar products – not massive rooftop solar panels which are unaffordable, but small panels the size of a novel which when left in the sun can power a bright light for several hours, charge a mobile phone or charge batteries. As they pay for themselves within a couple of months of money saved on kerosene etc, they are accessible and affordable – and make a massive difference to those who use them.
Action on sustainable energy for all is crucial. In the meantime, this type of small-scale solar can be a life-changer for families.
Susie Braun, ToughStuff
http://www.toughstuffonline.com
18/04/2012 at 1:50 pm
Thanks for these amazing responses.
It pleases me that as well as recognising the global and African problem people are putting forward solutions as well. Indeed the energy challenge is great and action will be needed at all levels from small lighting initiatives such as those provided by toughstuff to efficient cookstoves and larger windfarms.
Governments, business and civil society all have a role to play in tackling this challenge. Over the coming months ONE will be putting up blogs on these various initiatives and ways in which all groups can help to tackle the energy challenge so keep coming back for more information.