IEA Discusses Barriers to Low-Emissions, Africa’s Energy Transition
To reach the goal of net-zero emissions by mid-century, the world must address barriers hindering progress on low-emissions energy technologies that go beyond the issue of cost, the International Energy Agency said in a Wednesday release.
At the 2022 IEA Ministerial Meeting in Paris, ministers, business leaders and international organizations discussed how to better adapt policy, regulatory and legislative frameworks to speed up deployment of clean energy and low-emissions technologies.
The private and public sectors must work together to eliminate barriers and solutions should be tailored to fit national and regional circumstances, the ministers and panellists said. They also discussed supply chain issues that have recently emerged.
Emerging technologies such as electrolytic hydrogen, advanced batteries and direct air capture are expected to deliver substantial reductions. Internationally agreed standards and certification schemes are needed to create confidence in these new markets, the IEA said.
Ministers are set to present a series of recommendations to the wider IEA family of countries. The recommendations include identifying practical actions to drive down the cost of low emission technologies, as well as agreeing on the need to address regulatory, financial and supply chain barriers to deployment.
Africa’s Clean Energy Transition Opportunities
The clean energy transition presents an opportunity for many African countries to bypass traditional fuels and infrastructure and build sustainable energy systems, but they need the support of the international community, especially to attract investments, the International Energy Agency said in a Wednesday release.
At the 2022 IEA Ministerial Meeting, ministers and stakeholders from across Africa met to discuss their experiences and views of the continent’s energy priorities and challenges.
Participants agreed on the need for stronger international action to address barriers to clean energy investment and to promote capital deployment across the continent, the IEA said.
Africa is one of the regions most affected by climate disorders and accounts for one-sixth of the global population, but it only makes up less than 6% of global energy consumption and 2% of cumulative global emissions.
The continent faces the challenge of extending electricity access to hundreds of millions of citizens to stimulate economic growth and help reach sustainable development goals, the agency noted. READ: IEA Forecasts 6% Increase in Global Oil Demand
Africa also has the potential to play a key role in the global energy transition as its geographic diversity holds huge potential for solar and wind power, while its soils contain many of the minerals and rare earth needed for clean energy technologies, according to the IEA.
#IEA Discusses Barriers to Low-Emissions, Africa’s Energy Transition
