By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Caption: President Cyril Ramaphosa, European Commission President Ursula Vonder Leyen and CEO of Global Citizen, Hugh Evans, ahead of the Rio G20 Leader’s Summit. Picture: X/@PresidencyZA.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen officially launched the Scaling Up Renewables on the eve of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The campaign was launched during a panel discussion with Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen.
The Global Citizen initiative, along with the 2024 G20 Presidency, supported by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, brought together over 450 world leaders, innovators, and advocates on the eve of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which kicks off today.
Their goal is to promote urgent action to combat poverty and tackle the climate crisis.
Ramaphosa said Africa needs really good partnerships with developed economies to follow through on commitments made at COP28 to triple renewable energy output by 2030.
“Those commitments lead to opportunities and with those opportunities we are then able to get finance, we are able to get technologies, we enable to ensure that our economies grow and enterprises are spread around the African continent.
Ramaphosa emphasised the need for collaboration between African countries and developed nations to fulfil commitments and secure essential funding and technology.
South Africa is the only African country and one of ten countries globally, that has a strategic partnership with the EU.
Von der Leyen outlined the European Green Deal and its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. While underscoring the importance of global cooperation, she said there was a need to ensure no continent is left behind, particularly Africa.
“But if we want to be successful in fighting climate change and protecting nature, we must think globally.”
“I’m happy to co-host the campaign Scaling up Renewables in Africa with Ramaphosa. Together, we will help bring clean, affordable power to Africa.”
Preparations are underway for South Africa’s G20 Presidency and the hosting of the G20 Summit in 2025. South Africa is set to assume the Chair of the G20 from Brazil on 1 December this year.