There are many pathways to solving the climate crisis, global leaders agree

Global leaders discussed geopolitical friction between the global north and south and its impact on how the world navigates climate change in a ministerial panel titled Navigating energy and geopolitics in the new world order, on the first day of ADIPEC 2023. Honourable Ruth Nankanirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Uganda, said: “I like the word ‘navigate’, indeed, we have to navigate energy and geopolitics because the path is not that wide and it’s not that clear because of different interests.”

Specifically, protectionist policies in the western industrialised countries may hinder efforts to reduce global emissions, such as reduced investments in oil and gas. “My concern is that the world will continue to deny that there is and will continue to be demand for petroleum products for decades to come”, said Ssentamu. “We will move from coal to LPG and then to hydrogen because you can’t do a somersault from coal to hydrogen. That does not work. We have to go process by process.”

Joseph McMonigle, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum, said: “Geopolitics hasn’t had much of an impact on climate change. Instead, geo economics presents major implications. The energy transition can’t occur within one country and yet the Inflation Reduction Act and Europe’s Green Deal provide subsidy models that will be difficult for countries around the world to match, so protectionist policies have financial implications.”

Working together

Despite global differences in priorities, bilateral relationships are important to achieve energy security, improve access to energy and maintain affordability. The UAE is sharing its expertise with countries such as India and Uganda to strengthen global ties and tackle the challenges of climate change. 

“We are working with companies in the UAE to develop solar and wind energy in Uganda and our ties with the UAE are growing stronger and stronger,” said Ssentamu. “I am not worried about protectionist policies because they are not sustainable. The reality is that we need to help one another save the planet and the people. So, in our region, we appreciate what we have. Uganda has the potential for geothermal. Kenya has developing needs. Tanzania has natural gas. We are making sure that natural gas is shared amongst the region. Uganda also has nuclear energy potential and we are working with South African companies to help us trade”.

Panelists agreed that some regulation throughout the industry can be helpful to make the transition orderly, just and equitable. Uganda wants to accelerate the energy transition while ensuring equality and security of energy resources. Success in the energy transition will involve recognising and acknowledging the different energy transitions happening around the world, rather than expecting a single solution to work for every country.

Saving the planet and people

“Africa has critical minerals and we are not allowing the minerals to leave Africa without value addition. Many African countries are coming up with policies that guarantee value add in exchange for critical mineral. You want batteries? We have the cobalt. We have lithium. We have nickel. All the minerals are in Africa. Why should Africa’s minerals leave Africa without the addition of value?” said Ssentamu.

“Africa has the natural resources and the world has the technology. Let’s come together and exploit these resources properly to save the planet and the people”, said Ssentamu. Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Indian Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, said: “The end game has to be reduction of emissions. It’s not about how much green hydrogen I have adopted. Emissions must be reduced. There are so many pathways which make it possible for different countries to choose a particular pathway.”

Joseph McMonigle agreed. He said: “I think we have to recognise that this idea of a one dimensional or single pathway to net zero that the whole world has to adopt is an outdated model. It’s really a more multi-dimensional approach. There are different starting points and consequently, different pathways to success.”