Climate change: Energy poverty eradication to top OPEC’s agenda
By Uthman Salami
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said eradicating energy poverty will be top of its agenda even as the world continues to combat climate change.
Secretary General, OPEC, Mohammad Barkindo made this known on Tuesday at the virtual 21st Coordination Meeting on Climate Change.
He emphasised that it had become clear that the world was not doing enough to reach the Paris Agreement temperature goal hence the need for all countries to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
“However, developing countries in particular are struggling more than ever with energy security in the face of the pandemic, in addition to climate change adaptation measures.
“Therefore, it is essential that we leverage this platform to enhance collaboration and cooperation on these issues.
“We need to continue to fight for energy security in a sustainable and just manner, apart from the climate change challenges.
“Eradicating energy poverty must remain at the top of our agenda,” he said.
He believes OPEC is concerned that hasty and impulsive decisions can lead to a disorderly energy transition, which will see energy exporting developing countries lose out again.
He said, “In order for our countries to develop and for transition to occur, we need to have the opportunity to develop our energy resources in as clean a way as possible.
“This requires international cooperation and partnership and the provision of sufficient finance, along with technology research and transfer.
“This will have the additional effect of supporting oil market stability and in turn the world economy, which is still recovering from the pandemic.”
Barkindo said when countries experience energy stress, they would grasp at whatever energy sources are available, at the cost of higher greenhouse gas emissions.
He noted that in the end, affordable, clean energy for all was necessary for both the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals and to achieve the Paris Agreement goal.
“It will require the contribution of all forms of energy, with technology supporting their most efficient possible production and use.
“Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. We want to see a just and inclusive transition occur.
“One that builds resilient, equitable and sustainable societies. In order for this to happen, universal access to reliable and affordable modern energy sources and energy stability are requirements.
“Our work over more than five years through the Declaration of Cooperation has this goal in mind,” the OPEC boss said.
