Transition Énergétique Juste : Le festival citoyen plaide pour une finance climatique équitable
Le festival citoyen pour la Transition Énergétique Juste s’est tenu à Rufisque du 19 au 21 septembre 2024. Cette initiative a réuni des citoyens, leaders communautaires, artistes et militants engagés pour la justice climatique. Organisé par Teranga Lab en partenariat avec 350.org, cet événement a mis en avant une problématique centrale : comment financer la transition énergétique sans accroître la dette des pays africains ? Ce blog revient sur les moments forts du festival et son plaidoyer en faveur d’une finance climatique plus équitable.
Le défi d’une finance climatique juste
La transition énergétique mondiale demande des financements importants pour promouvoir l’utilisation des énergies renouvelables et réduire la dépendance aux énergies fossiles. Cependant, dans des pays comme le Sénégal, cette transition ne doit pas entraîner une augmentation de la dette.
Le festival a permis de souligner la nécessité d’avoir des mécanismes financiers plus justes, et qui favorisent les subventions et les dons au lieu des prêts qui augmentent la pression sur la dette publique. Le plaidoyer de Teranga Lab vise à garantir que la transition énergétique se fasse dans des conditions économiques viables pour les pays africains.
Le concert climat : un outil de mobilisation
Le concert climat, activité centrale du festival, a servi de plateforme pour relayer ces messages. Des artistes comme Oliblez et Doz’art ont interprété l’hymne du festival "Nous disons Non". Un hymne qui dénonce l’usage excessif des énergies fossiles et les conséquences du réchauffement climatique en Afrique. Ce moment de communion musicale a permis de sensibiliser les citoyens présents aux enjeux liés à la justice climatique et à la transition énergétique.
Découvrez ici l’hymne du festival : https://fb.watch/uRsXsWMLGM/
Le rôle des autorités coutumières et des communautés locales
Les autorités coutumières de Rufisque ont participé au festival. Une délégation de notables lébous (chefferie traditionnelle) a pris part au concert climat et a évoqué l’importance d’inclure les communautés locales dans les décisions sur les projets énergétiques.
Une présence qui a renforcé le plaidoyer et rappelé que les populations locales sont les premières touchées par les impacts des projets énergétiques et doivent donc être consultées et impliquées dans les prises de décision.
Dans cette même tonalité, Alexandre Gubert Lette, directeur exécutif de Teranga Lab, a souligné que la transition énergétique doit être un droit fondamental accessible à tous, et non un privilège. Il a appelé les décideurs à travailler pour que cette transition se fasse sans augmenter la dette des pays africains, en proposant des financements adaptés aux besoins des pays du Sud.
Le Festival Citoyen pour la Transition Énergétique Juste a constitué un espace de plaidoyer et de mobilisation pour dénoncer les injustices liées à la finance climatique. À l’approche des prochaines discussions mondiales sur le climat, notamment lors des futures COP, il est essentiel de porter la voix de l’Afrique sur la scène internationale. Le message du festival est clair : la transition énergétique doit se faire sans alourdir la dette des pays africains. Teranga Lab appelle à poursuivre cette lutte pour un avenir énergétique durable et équitable. Pour soutenir ce mouvement, suivez les initiatives de Teranga Lab et participez aux prochaines actions pour la justice climatique.
Capsule vidéo de résumé du concert climat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTb-dYX7ZM4
Visit to the 25 MW facility located in Benin : A call for decentralized renewable energy solutions
On September 20th, 2024, the renewable energy coalition members in Benin had the opportunity to visit a solar farm that demonstrated the transformative potential of decentralized renewable energy (DRE). In 2022, Benin launched its first large-scale solar power plant, a 25 MW facility located in Pobe, in the southern part of the country. This field trip aimed to provide participants with hands-on experience and a practical understanding of how a solar power plant operates, gather information to support solution campaigns, and build valuable relationships.
As we walked through the rows of solar panels, the farm showcased a future where energy is clean, accessible, and community-driven. This visit wasn’t just about observing technology—it was about understanding how DRE can power a just energy transition, particularly for regions underserved by centralized grids.
The importance of decentralizing energy sources cannot be overstated. With communities in rural and remote areas often left behind by national grids, decentralized renewable energy offers an efficient solution to provide power where it's needed most. Unlike large-scale, centralized systems that can be costly and slow to deploy, decentralized systems—like solar farms and mini-grids—are flexible, scalable, and sustainable.
During the visit, it became clear that decision-makers must prioritize DRE in national energy strategies. By investing in smaller, community-centered projects, we not only bring power to the people but also contribute to local job creation, resilience, and energy independence. The environmental benefits are just as compelling, as decentralized systems help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut emissions.
The solar farm we visited is a prime example of what’s possible when we shift focus toward decentralized renewable energy. Now, the next step is for policymakers to champion this approach, ensuring that DRE powers Afrika and becomes a priority in building a greener, more equitable future for all.
Empowering journalists to report on climate solutions
On 16 June, the Renewable Energy Coalition, which represents a diverse group of Civil Society Organisations, community-based groups, and grassroots movements, trained twelve selected journalists from five media outlets, including radios and newspapers, in Parakou.
In a world increasingly grappling with the realities of climate change, the role of journalism is more crucial than ever. Recognizing the need for accurate and compelling reporting on climate solutions and renewable energy, the training aimed at equipping journalists with the tools and knowledge necessary to cover the feasibility of climate solutions to their audiences.
The training was conducted by two specialized journalists and focused on the following topics:
- Enhance understanding of climate science - journalists were given a comprehensive overview of climate science, helping them understand the fundamental principles and current state of research
- Explore renewable energy technologies - detailed sessions were conducted on various renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, hydropower, and bioenergy, highlighting their potential and challenges
- Improve storytelling techniques—Journalists learned the basics of advanced storytelling techniques to make their reports more engaging and accessible to the general public.
The training blended theoretical knowledge and practical exercises. Renowned environmental journalists were invited to share their insights. One of the most impactful sessions was a workshop on data journalism, where participants learned how to interpret and visualize climate data effectively. This session underscored the importance of presenting data in a way that is both informative and easy to understand for readers.
The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many journalists expressed that the training had significantly broadened their understanding and given them new tools to approach their reporting.
By empowering journalists with the knowledge and skills to report accurately and compellingly on climate solutions and renewable energy, we can help ensure that the public remains informed and engaged in the fight against climate change. This training marks a significant step towards more effective climate communication, and its ripple effects will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.
By Christian Hounkannou
350Africa.org
GIFSEP Empowers Environmental Stewards in Secondary Schools in Nigeria
“Good habits formed at youth make the difference” - Aristotle.
In recognition of this, the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) is undertaking a project targeted at building the capacity of students and teachers to address Climate Change primarily by promoting environmental stewardship through behavioural change and skills in renewable energy and waste management.
The Project whose implementation began in November 2017 targets Senior Secondary Schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. It is being implemented under the supervision of the FCT Secondary Education Board and funded by the United Nations Development Programme's Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme.
Thus far, activities carried out have included training workshops and school visitations.
The project has equipped students and teachers through numerous trainings on climate change, renewable energy and waste management to address environmental challenges. Through our support, the students have been able to establish environmental clubs in their schools which now serves as the primary vehicle for taking climate action in their respective schools. The Capacity Building of Students to address climate change project, has received numerous positive commendations from the Secondary Education Board, FCT Schools management, teachers and students and more. Consequently, the project has been able to secure the commitment of teachers to raise a generation of green champions in their schools. Also, the students have pledged to the good environmental stewards.
Only recently, the GIFSEP team visited schools in FCT-Nigeria to officially establish new environmental clubs in Schools while also encouraging pre-existing environmental clubs to continue to take definite climate action. Overall, the students, teachers and the school management show great enthusiasm towards the project and have all committed to be ambassadors of the environment.
As a team, we are glad that we were able to put smiles on the faces of students and teachers this year in spite of the many challenges that came along with the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Ogho Udoko and Joseph Ibrahim
GIFSEP, Global Initiative on Food and Ecosytem Preservation
“Stop Procrastinating and lip-service, Take Immediate Action” Activists in Ghana tell African Leaders
On the 21st of March, 350 Ghana Reducing Our Carbon took to the streets together with Ghana Youth Environmental Movement, Green Africa Youth Movement and other climate justice organisations like PACJA, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Friends of the Earth Nigeria to demand real climate action.
The action was amongst a series of activities by the 350 GROC team in response to the proceedings of the Africa Climate Week hosted by the government of Ghana from 18 - 22 March. The summit’s aim was to enhance engagement between State and non‐State actors in the key sectors of energy, agriculture and human settlements.
The activists in Accra clearly expressed their opposition to fossil fuels and carbon markets, saying that such false solutions have no place in the new dawn of Ghana, and Africa if we have to combat climate change and achieve the goals of sustainable development.
Before that action, a press conference was held where 350 GROC and its partners asked their government to stop the lip-service and accelerate the energy transition towards 100% renewables.
Although there were no solid commitments from the Africa Climate Week, 350 GROC committed to continuing to push the Ghanaian government to be ambitious and not delay the transition for a 100% renewable energy future.
- Rukiya Khamis