Coal usage on focus ahead of COP-27

ZIMBABWE and other African countries will continue to voice their concern against the abrupt phasing out of coal-fired power stations ahead of the Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP-27) scheduled for Egypt next month.

Deliberations are already underway over the issue and recently stakeholders organised a pre-COP-27 meeting to seek to harmonise issues of common interest for Africa to speak in unison.

The meeting, held in Harare, resulted from calls by the West during COP-26 in Glasgow for Africa and other regions to stop using coal as it was deemed a major emitter of harmful gases.

The West then pledged US$100 billion per year up to 2025, which they are failing to adhere to. As a result, African countries like Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana, which rely heavily on coal energy, have been voicing concern over the Western stance.

The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, said without proper funding, hasty phasing out of coal power stations may result in energy poverty for the continent.

He said there was a need to invest more in newer and cleaner technologies rather than calling on abolishing their use.

“As a country, we believe the discussion around fossil fuels has been stifled a bit as we are not having anything on cleaner coal technologies where we should be investing more in making sure there are minimum emissions from coal but enabling it to benefit from the natural resource,” said Minister Ndlovu.

“We have seen energy problems in South Africa lately and it stifles us from benefiting from the economy.”
He said African countries were speaking with one voice, not only on coal issues but every other issue like financing and sanctions, among other key issues.

“African countries have submitted very ambitious national contributions and we believe that with the support we have requested financially and technologically, we should be able to combat climate change,” said the minister.

“Discussions around fossil fuels, especially coal, have been clear from an African perspective. While we are aware of the effects of coal, we need, as a world, to be united in addressing the challenges caused by climate change. We should not compromise livelihoods, especially of developing countries.”

The meeting said it was expecting a protracted discussion during COP 27 but hoped it will give a win-win situation for all.

Amid sanctions and now climate change impact, Zimbabwe remains grateful to regional solidarity and support in calling for the unconditional removal of sanctions.

Deputy director climate change department, Mr Kudzai Ndidzano, said the abrupt stopping of coal usage could spell energy poverty for Zimbabwe.

“As it is, they promised US$100 billion but they are not abiding by it. Getting funding for a programme takes between three and five years, yet damage will be happening among people,” he said.

“There is a need to engage so that it takes at least six months for a programme to be approved to minimise damage.”

Zimbabwe, as a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, works together with other African countries to ensure an adequate and fair reflection of issues in the ongoing climate change negotiations.

The Harare conference was attended by stakeholders from across the country including civic organisations, Government departments, churches, youth organisations, and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment.-ebusinessweekly