African NGOs call to stop proliferation of coal, oil and gas at African Union summit

More than 25 organisations, networks and community resistance groups from Africa and around the world have called on African governments to prevent the proliferation of coal, oil and gas in Africa.

They also want leaders to ensure efforts to address fossil fuels match those which have helped reduce the danger from nuclear weapons.

The communiqué signed by the group criticized the deliberate proliferation of coal, oil, and gas in Africa, contrary to scientific evidence and highlighted the contradiction between planned fossil fuel expansion and globally agreed climate targets.

They also condemned the way some African governments were avoiding scrutiny from civil society groups and even violently targeting environmental activists and human rights defenders in some places.

Representatives from the different NGO groups who attended an Africa Energy Leaders Summit on Climate Change, Energy, and Energy Finance in Addis Ababa last week included MELCA-Ethiopia, Oil Change Africa, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Oxfam, Friends of the Earth, the deCOALonize Campaign and Power Shift Africa.

The rise of fossil fuels as a major threat to human wellbeing and safety was reflected in last month’s 2020 Global Risks Report from the World Economic Forum which, for the first time, saw environmental dangers fill the top five places on the list.

Weapons of mass destruction used to feature highly but it’s now classed as much less likely thanks in part to nuclear non-proliferation treaties. Now the fossil fuel driven climate crisis, which disproportionately affects Africans, is listed as the world’s major threat.

The group specifically called on African leaders to: “Put an end to fossil fuel development; to manage the decline of existing production of oil, gas, and coal; and to rapidly initiate a transition to clean and safe renewable sources of energy that fully supports access to energy for those who currently lack it.” They also ask them to “publicly condemn and reject the double standards advanced by fossil fuel companies and their allied interests, which result in the discriminatory treatment of Africa and her peoples.”

Mohamed Adow, Director of climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa said: “The fossil fuel industry represents an existential threat to Africa and the world – and to have chance of meeting the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to below 1.5C degrees, international cooperation is required to prevent the proliferation of coal, oil and gas, at the scale and speed required to stabilise the Earth’s climate.

“African countries investing in fossil fuels risk creating stranded assets, and an unmanaged and disorderly transition from fossil fuels. We can either intentionally develop new ways to meet our energy needs without increasing our emissions or altogether lose the window of opportunity to ensure a safe climate and a sustainable future.

“That’s why African civil society are calling for African states and institutions to take a lead in the creation of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty in order to advance the interests of our continent and its people.”

Omar Elmawi, Coordinator for the deCOALonize Campaign said: “The abundance of renewable energy like wind, solar and geothermal make it possible for Africa to leapfrog dirty fossil fuels like coal that countries in the west had to rely on for their development. Coal and other fossil fuels has lost the war to renewable energy on both environmental and economic grounds. It’s the reason developed countries, including China, are now shutting their coal plants in favour of clean energy.

That is why Africa should tap into its vast renewable energy resources that can power the continent without harming its people or the environment.”

Nthabiseng Matsoha, Earthlife Africa's Researcher and Energy Policy Officer said "Africa has long been pillaged and exploited for its resources, with little benefit to its people. Now, as the world embraces the energy transition away from fossil fuels to low-carbon solutions, there is potential to disrupt existing power dynamics. Its high time the continent’s renewable energy potential benefitted ordinary people. This is especially important as we move towards a 'just transition' to a decarbonised world. Community ownership models should be explored, to not only benefit but empower."