Ways to Enable a People-Centred Clean Energy Transition

The global community has been concerned about achieving a clean energy transition for the past few years. This international action can be attributed to the effects of climate change on the environment, well-being and economies of populations. However, nations of the world must find ways to enable a people-centred clean energy transition.

According to the Transnational Institute (TNI), the global energy transition is broadly divided into two sides based on how it is approached. These sides are the corporate energy transition and the people-centred energy transition.

The main objectives of the corporate energy transition are to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and garner geopolitical support in the face of public concern about climate change. The ultimate goal of the corporate energy transition, however, is to slowly preserve international relationships, increase wealth, maintain power and, hence, inequality. The prominent followers of the corporate energy transition include multinational corporations, states, institutions and organisations.

On the other hand, a people-centred energy transition is more individual-focused. This form of energy transition provides individuals with essential opportunities while also enabling the navigation of the effects of climate change. According to an International Energy Agency (IEA) report, a people-centred energy transition means eradicating energy poverty while including considerations for employment, inclusion, equity, affordability, access and sustainable economic development.

With each country developing their decarbonisation strategies, identifying ways to enable a people-centred clean energy transition holds many benefits. These benefits vary depending on the region. According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, the benefits of a people-centred energy transition for the global South include job creation, a just transition and joint innovation.

According to a 2017 Political Economy Research Institute paper, for each $1 million dollar spent, 7.5 full-time jobs in renewable energy are created. On the other hand, fossil fuels accounted for only 2.6 full-time jobs. In addition, a 2020 review of fiscal recovery packages identified five policies linked to rural development in low- and middle-income countries. These policies involved natural capital, clean infrastructure, building efficiency, clean energy research and education.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Nigeria’s Solar Naija Project will create 250,000 jobs through the electrification of 5 million households. Also, Ethiopia’s use of clean energy in food production can create 190,000 jobs.

A people-centred clean energy transition also encourages climate justice for marginalised populations and inclusion among countries. The inclusion of job training programmes in projects promotes equity. Through these actions, the conversation graduates from how many jobs are created to what groups within populations can access these jobs.

The adoption of clean energy projects also encourages capacity building and joint innovation through the regionalisation of skills and the development of local value chains. For example, the hydrocarbon sector in Nigeria requires more capital than the labour-intensive clean energy sector. With the development of clean energy projects, issues like supply constraints and human resource deficits can be corrected through collaboration and the adoption of local value chains.

The benefits will be tremendous if the global community can find ways to enable a people-centred clean energy transition, according to their respective economies. With the first step being ending energy poverty across nations, a people-centred energy transition will support social and economic development and improve the overall quality of life.