Bisola Adeyemo
The young leaders around the world have urged more young people to join them in demanding bolder clean energy and climate progress at the first Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) summit.
the concluded virtual Summit was hosted by youth Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) in partnership with the Clean Cooking Alliance and EM-ONE Energy Solutions
More than 2,000 delegates from over 120 countries registered to discuss topics including gender equality, industrialization and clean cooking access to support progress on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all – and the Paris Agreement on climate.
Addressing the youth, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, who stated that it was unacceptable for governments to continue to build polluting economies of the past by investing in fossil fuels.
Her word “Young people understand the links between sustainable development and climate justice. You have risen to the forefront as advocates and innovators in bringing sustainable energy solutions to homes, communities and countries.”
A highlight of the Summit was the Troubleshooting for SDG7 Finals, which called for youth-led technology or policy ideas to support SDG7 progress. Launched by SEforALL ahead of the event, 133 proposals from representatives of 42 countries were received, and three finalists from Cameroon, Nigeria and China were identified by a panel of judges.
Following a live pitch competition, Adekoyejo Kuye, Uzochukwu Mbamalu, Charles Aliozo and Chigozie Enemoh from Nigeria emerged winners as they received USD 2,500 funding to support their innovation. Their proposal was for a solar-powered cold storage unit that used one compressor for multiple applications, helping smallholder farmers with food cool chains to reduce food loss. The solution could also be extended to keep vaccines safe.
Speaking on their achievements the team said: “If youth don’t care and act to bring about SDG7, we will be the ones to bear the negative impacts shortly. We have what it takes to bring about change, all we have to do is take action.”
Therefore, The CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy Damilola Ogunbiyi called on young people to be even bolder in their actions to secure clean energy transition that leaves no one behind.
“As the largest youth generation in history, these young energy leaders are our future and what a bright future it is. That is why I strongly believe engaging youth in the energy transition is not just desirable, it is essential. We must maximize their incredible innovation, passion and commitment to help create real change so we can meet our global climate and energy goals.”
Meanwhile, Over 30 institutions took part, including Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, Indian Institute of Science, Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) Brazil, Enel Group, Camco Clean Energy and the ASEAN Centre for Energy.
“There are 1.2 billion people on this planet between the ages of 15 and 24 who are hungry for a better world – and these young people are equipped with passion, information and platforms that no generation before has had. As industry veterans and experts, it is our role to share our knowledge and amplify the voice of these inspiring youths in the energy transition by making room and giving them a seat at the table,” said Mir Islam, EM-ONE Energy Solutions CEO.
In her closing remarks, Damilola Ogunbiyi revealed a new upcoming campaign from SEforALL. The “Be Bold’ campaign which will be launch in March, with the aim of promoting more ambitious progress on SDG7.
As Summit co-host, Dymphna van der Lans, Clean Cooking Alliance CEO, said: “I am honoured the Clean Cooking Alliance was able to co-host the first-ever SEforALL Youth Summit. This is a critical year with many high-level conversations around climate and energy taking place. Kicking off 2021 by elevating youth voices is a great start.”