Series: G8 2007

Power to change

Without access to energy, the fight against poverty is like a dog chasing its tail - just look at Zimbabwe.
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Just two years ago, African nations were filled with hope after leaders of the world's most powerful nations stood shoulder to shoulder and said they would Make Poverty History.

Two years on: what happened to the euphoria surrounding these grand promises and what improvements have we really seen?

Yes, limited steps have been made at the G8 summit but without a firm commitment to reducing carbon emissions, any progress could be severely undermined.

In Bali in December negotiations will get underway for a post 2012 agreement but without commitment to reduce, we could be in the same position next year. Rich nations have a moral duty to act now, before it is too late.

Poverty for people in poor countries in Africa remains a reality and is getting worse; and many are now facing a new enemy: climate change.

As an energy specialist for Practical Action in Zimbabwe, I was personally very pleased to see the link between energy and poverty acknowledged at Gleneagles in 2005.

I passionately believe access to modern energy has many benefits; not only can it improve people's day-to-day living conditions, it can lead to children having more time to study, open new ways to earn incomes, vaccines can be refrigerated and most importantly, lift people out of the vicious poverty cycle.

The World Bank was given responsibility to invest in and finance clean energy schemes.

Yet the reality is World Bank funding for new renewables has increased by a mere 1.4%; compare this to the 130% increase in power sector funding and a 93% increase in the oil and gas sector. That's US$3million compared to US$2,453 million.

Our research shows that most of the money that has gone into large scale projects has been driven by commercial interests and has done little to directly address poverty.

I have been working on access to energy for nearly a decade with Practical Action and am convinced that access to energy is one of the most effective ways of addressing poverty and mitigating environmental damage and global warming.

Zimbabwe, along with other African countries is already suffering from climate change. Droughts are increasing; leading to the loss of crops and livestock, the mainstay of rural livelihoods. The water table is dropping leading to longer journeys for water which is having an adverse effect on education.

Without access to energy, poverty eradication is a dog chasing its tail. Let me explain: no water means longer journeys which leads to less education; searching for food means less time for processing and production, leading to less money; communities are becoming more and more steeped in poverty and are struggling to claw their way out.

Africa is rich in many resources such as wind, solar and hydro and from my experience, small scale, off grid solutions will make a real difference to people's lives. We need this direct support, and energy access can aid adaptation to climate change.

Micro hydro can provide power for grain processing, one such scheme in Zimbabwe benefits 300 households directly, 700 through a local schools and has also increased production of wheat by a massive 300 per cent, while windmills can enhance old water systems, making it easier to collect water.

African governments have acknowledged the problem and are trying to take action. We should not be restricted in our technological choices and we must be allowed to develop where necessary, why should African countries be stopped from doing what rich nations have been doing for decades? However I want to see countries given assistance to access clean, renewable energy sources where possible.

I feel justified in saying that richer countries have a moral obligation to offer assistance; Africa's carbon emissions remain low yet we continue to suffer the most through more frequent droughts and flooding. The polluter should pay.

This is about survival. Yet it needs to be about more than survival if communities are able to maintain their traditional lifestyles with dignity. All they need is some help to show them how to adapt.

Without urgent and ambitious action to tackle climate change and provide access to energy, poverty is in danger of becoming permanent.

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Read about the 2007 G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany.