Report at this link: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/low-carbon-africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has massive potential to generate clean energy that could help lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty without exacerbating climate change, a new Christian Aid report says today.

At present, sub-Saharan Africa countries (719 million people) have severely limited access to energy, consuming between them if South Africa is discounted less electricity than New York State (19.5 million people). 

Lack of power has hampered Africa’s efforts to meet the UN-agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and contributes to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children under five every year through respiratory ailments caused by smoke fumes from open cooking fires.

With the provision of energy a cornerstone of poverty eradication, progress through modernisation elsewhere in the world has until now entailed massive increases in carbon emissions through the use of fossil fuels.

The new report, ‘Low-Carbon Africa: leapfrogging to a green future ‘, published by Christian Aid to mark the United Nations climate summit which opens this month in Durban, South Africa, says this need not be template for the future.

Taking examples from six sub-Saharan countries, it highlights the sustainable energy sources at hand that would enable Africa to develop in a low-carbon fashion.

The report’s launch comes as a ‘Caravan of Hope’ sets off today from Burundi across 10 African countries bound for the opening of the UN summit in Durban later this month to highlight how climate change is already affecting poor people’s lives on the African continent.

Organised by Christian Aid partner organisation the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance, the Caravan comprises of scores of African farmers, pastoralists and campaigners who are demanding that the UN talks help produce a just solution to the mounting crisis.

The new report’s lead author, Dr Alison Doig, Christian Aid’s senior adviser on climate change and sustainable development, said that without significantly expanding energy provision, African countries will fail to meet the MDGs.

‘A lack of access to modern energy services impedes poverty alleviation, education, gender equality and healthcare, and limits employment and livelihood options,’ she said. ‘It is now widely recognised that without access to modern energy services, it is highly unlikely that the MDGs will be met.

 ‘In Africa, the need is urgent. Nearly half a billion people– almost 70 per cent of the population – have no access to electricity. 

‘Until now, those used to a carbon-intensive way of doing business have said the choice is plain, policy makers can either lift people out of poverty, or they can tackle climate change – they can’t do both. Clean air and progress have been seen as mutually exclusive.

‘That ‘choice’ is fundamentally false. An enormous opportunity exists for developing countries in Africa to leapfrog ahead in the journey to sustainable development if the right strategies are used.

There is a huge potential for renewable energy across the continent, which is largely untapped. Our report demonstrates that geothermal, small-scale hydro, solar, wind, tidal and biomass fuels, including agricultural wastes, all offer significant potential for delivering both basic needs and for unlocking economic growth.’

Dr Doig warned, however, that African countries, some of which are already experiencing the impact of climate change, a problem not of their causing, through depletion of water resources and soil erosion, as well as reduced crop yields, need help to realise their huge energy potential.

‘The funding must be reliable and substantial,’ she said. ‘It is estimated that about US$20bn per year is needed to deliver basic energy to all by 2030, and US $30-35bn a year to deliver a higher level of low-carbon development. ’

Dedicated funding to help Africa achieve low-carbon development should be met from the Green Climate Fund which is expected to be set up at the UN summit, she said.

Dr Doig added that African countries needed to plan ahead for a low-carbon future, and rich country assistance should also take the form of technology transfer, bilateral and multilateral investment and participatory market approaches.

Existing sustainable energy projects in Africa described in the report include:

• ·        Electricity from sugar production waste in Kenya
• ·        The use of biogas rather than wood fuel in Rwanda
• ·        A network of small hydroelectric power stations in Nigeria
• ·        Provision of solar energy to households in Ethiopia
• ·        The use of sustainable charcoal cook stoves in Ghana
• ·        Household solar water heaters in South Africa

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Further information from Andrew Hogg on 0207 523 2058 or 07872 350534. 24 hour press duty phone – 07850 242950  

Notes to Editors

1. Christian Aidworks in some of the world’s poorest communities in nearly 50 countries. We act where the need isgreatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the lives they deserve.

2. Christian Aid has a vision, an end to global poverty, and we believe that vision can become a reality.Our report, Poverty Over, explains what we believe needs to be done – and can be done – to end poverty.  Details at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/Images/poverty-over-report.pdf

3. Christian Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of 100 churches and church-related organisations that work together inhumanitarian assistance and development.  Further details at http://www.actalliance.org

4. Follow Christian Aid’s newswire on Twitter: http://twitter.com/caid_newswire

5. For more information about the work of Christian Aid visit www.christianaid.org.uk

The post Christina Aid urges Africa to meet energy needs without adding to climate change first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The increasingly targeted attacks on gay people in a number of African countries, which are thought to have to led the murder this week of outspoken Ugandan gay activist, David Kato, will contribute to an increase in HIV infections, says Christian Aid.

Kato, whose name and photograph recently appeared on the front page of anti-gay Kampala-based newspaper Rolling Stone, under the headline ‘Hang Them’, was beaten to death in his home, Ugandan police confirmed yesterday.

Nina O’Farrell, Head of HIV at Christian Aid, said today:  ‘It is vital to defend the rights of specific groups who are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection, including gay people, who also suffer from heightened stigma and discrimination, which in many cases makes them less likely to access to HIV treatment, care and support.

‘Our work is founded on Christian faith and inspired by hope. We believe that all people are created equal, with inherent dignity and infinite worth. We act to change an unjust world, helping people to claim the rights owed to them by virtue of their humanity.’

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If you would like further information please contact Emma Pomfret on 07554 024 539 or email epomfret@christian-aid.org or Sarah Wilson on 07930 341 525 or swilson@christian-aid.org. 24 hour press duty phone – 07850 242950

Notes to Editors

1. The term ‘gay people’ in the press release above is intended to encompass lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups.

2. Christian Aid works in some of the world’s poorest communities in nearly 50 countries. We act where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the lives they deserve.

3. Christian Aid has a vision, an end to global poverty, and we believe that vision can become a reality. Our report, Poverty Over, explains what we believe needs to be done – and can be done – to end poverty.  Details at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/Images/poverty-over-report.pdf

4.  Christian Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of 100 churches and church-related organisations that work together inhumanitarian assistance and development. Further details at http://www.actalliance.org

5. Follow Christian Aid’s newswire on Twitter: http://twitter.com/caid

6. For more information about the work of Christian Aid visit www.christianaid.org.uk

The post Christian Aid warns that anti gay attacks will lead to rise in HIV cases first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Although December 2010 marks the G8 deadline set at the 2005 Millennium Summit to provide universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support for the 33.3 million people living with HIV worldwide, there are still approximately 10 million who desperately need immediate treatment but are unable to access it.

‘In this financial climate, it is tempting for governments to reduce their spending on international development and focus their energies at home, so the UK government has been brave in maintaining its commitment to spend 0.7% GNP on development,’ says Nina O’Farrell, Christian Aid’s Head of HIV.

‘However, despite significant progress in expanding access to HIV treatment – more than five million people in low- and middle-income countries now receive life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy compared to just 500,000 in 2003 – new infections continue to out-pace those receiving treatment by two to one worldwide.

‘This demonstrates that we cannot be complacent and must maintain a strong focus on HIV prevention, yet it is unclear how much money will now be channeled towards diseases of poverty such as HIV,’ O’Farrell continues.

‘The Department for International Development (DFID) is preparing a much needed malaria business plan, but where is its plan for HIV?

‘Now is the time to beef up our response to HIV, not cut back. There is a very real danger that we could lose significant gains if funding for HIV is not maintained, or indeed scaled-up.’

This World AIDS day, Christian Aid is calling on donor governments to maintain their commitments to the fight against HIV.

Christian Aid joins other UK civil society organisations in calling for the UK to commit its fair share of £840 million to Global Fund for 2011-13.

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If you would like further information, please contact Emma Pomfret on 07554 024539/epomfret@christian-aid.org, or Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma on 07881 603053/wssanyus@christian-aid.org, or call the 24 hour press duty phone – 07850 242950.

Notes to Editors

1. Christian Aid works in some of the world’s poorest communities in nearly 50 countries. We act where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the lives they deserve.

2. Christian Aid has a vision, an end to global poverty, and we believe that vision can become a reality. Our report, Poverty Over, explains what we believe needs to be done – and can be done – to end poverty.  Details at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/Images/poverty-over-report.pdf

3. Christian Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of 100 churches and church-related organisations that work together inhumanitarian assistance and development. Further details at http://www.actalliance.org

4. Follow Christian Aid’s newswire on Twitter: http://twitter.com/caid

5. For more information about the work of Christian Aid visit www.christianaid.org.uk

The post Christina Aid appeals to donor governments to honor G8 HIV committments to save 10 Million people in need of ARVs first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.