ACCESS Coalition in partnership with Kenya Climate Change Working Group (KCCWG) convened a Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Pre-Africa Climate Summit Workshop in Nairobi.
The meeting was a precursor to the inaugural Africa Climate Summit and the Africa Climate Week that took place in the week of September 4th to 8th 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The goal of the meeting was to enhance the capacity of CSOs on energy access advocacy and align the sector’s priorities in readiness of the Africa Climate Summit.
Different stakeholders attended the workshop and shared knowledge and best practices on sustainable energy and climate action.
The speakers emphasized the important role of energy systems in driving economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability in countries.
Kenya’s Senator John Methu, gave the keynote address and underscored the need for collaboration between CSOs, government and other stakeholders. “Energy transition is not just about technological advancement, it’s about people, communities and the planet,” he said.
John Kioli, Chairman of KCCWG and ACCESS Coalition said that CSOs have a unique role in influencing policy decisions, promoting awareness and holding government and institutions to account. He highlighted that advocacy on energy issues should not only resonate across in the conference walls but should also cascade to communities.
According to the Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report (2023), the world remains off track to achieving affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030.
ACCESS Coalition’s International Coordinator, Patricia Mbogo, shared lessons on the integral role of CSOs in ensuring the agenda at the Africa Climate Summit addressed the energy priorities in the continent. “There’s need for countries to adopt policy measures that are focused on driving energy access and efficiency,” she said.