Africa United Against Dirty Coal Power

08 November 2021 – The Africa Coal Network calls for urgent action on coal phase out and for respective governments to be transparent and accountable

The Africa Coal Network notes the various promises made about coal phase out by those gathered in Glasgow, for the UNFCCC CoP 26.  We believe that the phase out of coal can only happen if all countries take action on coal on three fronts simultaneously; 

1. Stop all new coal nationally;
2. Stop investing or facilitating the expansion of coal internationally; and
3. Those counties responsible for the majority of the world's fossil fuel pollution must pay their climate debt, starting with real money for the roll-out of renewables in Africa so that Africa is not locked into the false promises of gas as a transition fuel or a fuel for poverty alleviation.

From the 22-24 September more than 260 Africans gathered representing 70 organisations from 26 countries to reflect on their resistance to coal and dirty energy expansion, energy poverty and to strengthen their work and demands for just transition.  The meeting welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s statement that China will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad.  Today we release our reflections from our meeting, which demands a just transition based upon: an urgent shift away from coal and other fossil fuels; payment of climate debt; and equity at the table of negotiations on the future of people and planet.

Together with the outcomes of our gathering we reflect back on the first week of CoP 26 and various promises of action from various fora such as the No New Coal Compact initiative launched in September,  the Powering Past Coal Alliance, and the Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement.  

Are these statements and promises ambitious enough?  Will they be delivered upon?  How will ambition relate to action?  

To date, as evidenced by the record, the prospects of nations delivering on pledges are dismal and implications for climate justice within the present world order are bleak. When the chips are down, international solidarity goes begging. The pattern is repeated in response to so-called ‘natural’ disasters, including climate disasters, where donor pledges do not match what is needed and actual aid does not match the pledge. Of the $1.4 bn that was pledged for reconstruction in Mozambique after cyclones Idai and Kenneth, only $193 mn was available in 2020. 

Those that signed onto the Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement “commit to work together to make clean power the most affordable and accessible option globally, with ensuing economic and health benefits as we build back better from the COVID pandemic.”  While such statements are commended we need to see the money.  Critically a shift has happened for the 68 signatories, of those 7 being African states, ditching the false solutions of carbon capture utilisation and storage.  This is a victory for many organisations that are part of the Africa Coal Network and many others who campaign for real action, rather than false promises.  

The Powering Past Coal Alliance also made a big push and bragged about adding to their membership.  However membership from Africa is still minimal with only 2 countries, Angola and Mauritius committing to moving beyond coal, and only 1 sub-regional government, the eThekwini Municipality, South Africa.

Lorraine Chiponda, coordinator of the Africa Coal Network is demanding more committed action from not only those that owe Africa a climate debt, including the global North and China and South Africa.  “If you want Africa to join the world meaningfully to phase out coal, oil and gas, there has to be ambition with an action plan that is transparent, having accountability mechanisms so that we the people of Africa can hold our governments to account, and our governments hold those that got rich from Africa accountable to deliver on the climate debt that will finance a people's centred renewable decarbonisation strategy for the people of Africa and not for the export of money and resources from Africa.”

Shereen Talaat, of Arab Watch, and representing Egypt on the Africa Coal Network warns that “we cannot get to solutions for Africa, if African communities and governments do not have a seat at the table of negotiations on the future of the planet.”

Daniel Muoti of Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, in Kenya recognises government’s play a balancing act but cautions that “just transition needs more than a balancing act.  It needs policies and action that favour the development of people and a regenerative economy over the development of corporate profit.”

Video Illustration: Africa United Against Dirty Coal Power

For more information:
Lorraine Chiponda 
Africa Coal Network
+263 77 252 2018
lorraine@groundwork.org.za

Tsepang Molefe
groundWork, Friends of the Earth South Africa
+27 74 405 1257
media@groundwork.org.za