From FORESIGHT Climate & Energy, Policy Dispatch is a podcast all about the policies that underpin the global energy transition.
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As the United Nations’ COP 27 in Egypt approaches, Africa’s energy and climate transition is in the spotlight.
The African continent has an opportunity to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Its main hurdle, however, is the need for cheap resources and access to financing to achieve its decarbonisation, and the need to incentivise participation from local companies and investors in its energy markets.
The untapped potential is vast: solar and wind investments aren’t happening at the scale needed, but its onshore wind power in Africa could match the region’s electricity demand 250 times over. Moreover, COP27 is expected to bring new commitments from African nations to phase out coal and just transition partnerships with developed countries.
We are discussing these topics with Saliem Fakir, Executive Director of the African Climate Foundation. Prior to establishing the ACF, Saliem served as the Head of the Policy & Futures Unit of WWF South Africa for 11 years. Saliem has worked as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Public Administration and Planning and an Associate Director for the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy at Stellenbosch University.
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If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week’s episode, you can reach us at our Twitter accounts:Saliem Fakir + AfricaEuropeFdnSam MorganAnna Gumbau@Policy DispatchFORESIGHT Climate & Energy
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Show notes:FORESIGHT Policy Section