During the virtual COP26 Roundtable on Clean Power Transition, a conference on climate action, that held on Monday, 11th January 2020, the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, said there is a need for transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in Africa and other countries.

About 789 million people in Africa do not have access to electricity, with about three-quarter of this number living in Sub-Saharan Africa. The top UN official called it “both an injustice and an impediment to sustainable development.”

He said all nations should be able to provide access to clean and renewable energy that prevents “the dangerous heating of our planet.”

According to him, to end fossil fuel subsidies, put a price on carbon, shift taxation from people to pollution, and end the construction of coal-fired power plants, there is need for “strong commitment from all governments.”

“And we need to see adequate international support so African economies and other developing countries’ economies can leapfrog polluting development and transition to a clean, sustainable energy pathway,” he added.

At the conference, he reminded developed nations of their annual pledge of $100 billion to support mitigation and adaptation in developing countries.

He said there is the need for an annual 6% decrease in energy production from fossil fuels through renewables, transition programmes, economic diversification plans, green bonds and other instruments to advance sustainability.

He urged all public and private financing to support the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with training, reskilling and providing new opportunities that are “just and inclusive.”

He said: “to achieve this we need global solidarity, just as we need it for a successful recovery from COVID-19. In a global crisis, we protect ourselves best when we protect all.

“We have the tools. Let us unlock them with political will.”