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ACCESS members held a catch-up meeting on December 6th, a day designated as ‘Energy Day’ during COP28. At least 30 members of ACCESS were in attendance at the Annual Summit and shared their priorities on different thematic areas including; just transition, climate finance, clean cooking, agriculture, gender inclusion and health, and their nexus to energy.

The regional nodes, Kenya Climate Change Working Group (KCCWG) and the Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND) shared updates of their activities in the past year, which include training members on engagements with the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to increase financing for clean energy, and influencing activities on SDG7 at national level in their respective regions. They shared on how their interventions have increased Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) participation in engaging with the MDBs and influenced integrated energy planning processes in their host countries.

Additionally, the members shared ideas on how ACCESS members can upscale their advocacy on energy access, just energy transition and engage more with the MDBs at country levels.

ACCESS co-hosted and made presentations in five side events that delved on the topics of energy access, financing for renewables, just energy transition and clean cooking. The events were organized in partnership with: SYND Ghana, KCCWG, Big Shift Global Campaign, Platform of Action for Renewable Energy (PoA) at CAN International, Power Up Campaign, CAN Africa, Friends of the Earth, Natural Justice, Power Shift, SEAF-Kenya, and Jeunes Volontaires pour L’environnment.

  • Ghana Pavilion – The session focused on energy access and African priorities for renewable energy and energy efficiency. The speakers highlighted energy access as a key driver for development and alleviating poverty and a fundamental right to the last mile communities. The discussions reaffirmed the ‘Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge’ on tripling the renewable energy generation capacity and doubling the annual rate of energy efficiency.
  • Climate Action Innovation Zone – the side event delved on Power Up’s campaign on boosting Africa’s energy access. The discussions explored on the need for smart funding from developed countries to support Sub Saharan Africa’s energy access pioneers tackle challenges facing off-grid communities.
  • Togo Pavilion – the speakers examined on clean cooking as a key vehicle and factor in improving resilience and health in Africa. During the event, the New African Smoke Free Initiative by a consortium of civil society organizations and other stakeholders was introduced and will be formally launched in 2024.
  • Central Africa Initiatives Pavilion – the side-event aimed at highlighting strategies for just, equitable, dignified and economically viable exploitation of transition minerals. The discussions provided approaches to exploitation of strategic resources and technologies that are people centered and rooted in justice, dignity and equity.
  • Kenya Pavilion – the side event was co-hosted by SEAF-Kenya and WWF Kenya and focused on ‘Energizing resilience: The crucial link between energy planning and climate adaptation’. ACCESS Coalition’s presentation emphasized the need of increased financing and adoption of planning approaches that prioritize the end-user needs as a way of meeting the energy access gaps in communities.