Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola says there’s a need for increased funding for clean cooking energy as one way of enhancing environmental conservation and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Matola made the remarks during a virtual conference where he addressed delegates at the 6th Global Energy Interconnection Conference, which is currently taking place in Beijing, China.
Matola stated that a global shortage and insufficient financing towards clean cooking energy to some extent doesn’t sync with Agenda 2030.
“While we must continue to expand connections, energy poverty will remain a challenge, if the issue of clean and modern cooking energy is not addressed. Our focus on energy poverty has been on grid connections and to a lesser extent on mini or microgrids,” Matola said.
He said the initiatives mainly serve the purpose of providing electricity for lighting, powering appliances, and charging mobile phones.
Matola therefore said it is high time that access to modern and clean cooking energy was made a priority globally and at country levels.
Concurring with Matola, Jeffrey D. Sachs, a Columbia University professor and President of the University Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, stated that adequate financing is critical if the world is to meet climate change targets.
The 2023 Global Energy Interconnection Conference has been organised by the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organisation (GEIDCO).
Matola said the meeting seeks to build consensus and pool synergy for accelerating world energy transition and sustainable development.
The conference will further facilitate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
This year’s conference is being held on the 8th Anniversary of the Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) initiative.
Reported by Mayeso Chikhadzula.
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