
Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said that putting people and inclusivity at the centre of all clean energy transitions plays a vital role in effectively implementing energy and climate policies, as well as presenting an important opportunity to address existing socio-economic inequalities.
According to IEA, as the world approaches a turning point for energy investment with expenditures on clean energy technologies significantly outpacing spending on fossil fuels for the first time, governments should seize the moment by developing comprehensive policies that address climate action, poverty reduction and inequality simultaneously.
The Agency is of the opinion that equality and inclusion must also be built into clean energy policies in order to mitigate the risk of disproportionate or unintended consequences for certain segments of society.
To this end, IEA recently hosted an online workshop on the social impact of clean energy policies on low-income households alongside its partners from the Committee on Energy Research and Technology. The workshop was organized as part of the people-centred clean energy transitions work programme.
The event was to shed light on crucial considerations for policymakers as they design clean energy policies that maximize equity and beneficial outcomes for all parties.