This side event for the 2020 UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will discuss the risks associated with transitioning away from fossil fuels, and the opportunities for diversification and sustainable development in Africa. Africa has been managing transitions for decades. Energy is essential for development, but more than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity. The Paris Agreement calls for countries to reduce emissions below 2 degrees. Yet, many countries in Africa rely on hydrocarbon related assets which stand the risk of becoming ‘stranded’ and losing their value before their economic lifetime. Enabling the transition would mean managing an exit away from fossil fuels and diversifying its resource base. Could ‘stranded’ asset risks be turned into new opportunities that will give Africa greater leadership in managing its development aspirations?
This side event will be jointly organised by UNU-IAS, the UNU Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
Please register in advance for this event through Zoom webinars.
An event flyer is available to download.