As the global community grapples with the far-reaching impacts of climate change, urgent action has become imperative to safeguard our collective future. Due to this need, Jennifer Morgan, Germany’s State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, delivered a compelling public lecture at the Tayo Aderinokun Lecture Theatre, University of Lagos, Nigeria, on May 7.
Titled “The Climate Crisis & The Global Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities,” Morgan’s address underscored the pressing need for international cooperation to address the climate crisis through financial and technical support.
The event, attended by dignitaries including the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany to Lagos, Weert Borner, served as a platform to foster collaboration between Nigeria and Germany in tackling climate change. Notable figures from the University of Lagos management also graced the occasion.
Professor Lucien Obinna Chukwu, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Unilag, opened the event with a warm welcome address, emphasizing the significance of academic engagement in addressing climate change challenges as well as the school’s longstanding partnership with Germany, citing previous collaborations with Germany through initiatives like the German Academic Exchange Service.
Chukwu said, “This lecture is very topical, very contemporaneous and that is the reason why this would be a public lecture with a little difference.”
He also highlighted that the University of Lagos is one of the tertiary institutions at the forefront of transitioning to renewable energy, citing the universities achievement in building a solar energy charging vehicle and its planting of 1,000 trees on the campus this year alone.
Proceeding to the podium to give her address, Morgan aptly captured the urgency of the moment, highlighting the multifaceted crises facing the world, from climate change to energy security and economic transformation. She stressed the need for a diversified and decarbonised economy with renewable energy as a key driver of inclusive growth and sustainable development.
She also warned of the dire consequences of inaction, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable.
“We are now in this moment experiencing multiple crisis, development, energy crisis, food security and at the same we’re in the middle of a global economic transformation in places all around the world, there’s a new economy that’s being created. One that can provide inclusive growth, which is so important, energy security. These are the sectors or the jobs that are growing. Changes in the global energy system, they are causing a tectonic shift under our feet in the global economic world and the demand for critical raw materials like lithium, the demand for oil and gas, it is step by step decreasing and the expansion of renewables, solar, wind.
“This climate crisis, it is deeply unjust and it impacts citizens of the poorest countries the most. Frequent floods, droughts, often lead to governments and communities struggling to feed their people and this climate crisis is simply unjust. It impacts citizens of the poorest countries the most. This year, some of West Africa including your country have faced prolonged periods of intense heat with severe impacts on health, agriculture and as this progresses, such extreme weather like this will soon be normal. It would be happening more often. The World Economic Forum shows that climate change is likely to cause additional 14.5 million deaths by 2050.”
“I think this diversified and decarbonised economy brings a whole set of different benefits, a stable climate and better health for people. Yes this is a massive challenge but this green transition can also be the chance for a better life, for more social justice and equitable development.”
She therefore pointed that Germany’s partnership with Nigeria is important because Nigeria has a lot of untapped resources and talents that can compete globally, but investment is lacking, which is why developed countries like Germany must take the lead in moving such action, adding that “we all have to work together” collaborate and show support. This she said, is why Germany has had an energy partnership with Nigeria since 2008 to build cooperation and dialogue.
“Nigeria has an ambitious energy transition plan, your government is on it, your country is well positioned to making this energy accessible and also remain a central player. No doubt there are obstacles, but it’s worth it because the potential here in Africa for massive expansion of renewable energy on this continent is just huge. 60% of the best spots for solar panels are in Africa.”
Drawing from Germany’s experience and the country’s ambitious energy transition, Morgan underscored the fact that making this transformation to renewable energy sources is by no means a walk in the park but is a change that would be beneficial in the long run.
The state secretary made mention of the critical role of national policies in driving transformative change, citing Germany’s legislative climate and energy framework as a model for achieving renewable energy targets.
“The steps we need to get there are quite clear, but they come along with tough choices in every single country around the world. Transformation is a step by step effort. It is a massive challenge and I don’t want to understate this challenge, but if it’s done in a smart, orderly, transparent, step by step, improved manner, I think it can receive the right investment. I want to tell you briefly about Germany and what choices we’ve made to go along this transformation pathway because we know that in the years to come, transformative change will be just imperative for sustainable growth. We at Germany are in the middle of our energy transition, we must diversify our economy away from fossil fuels, from green house gas, to keep a stable and prosperous economy. Relying on fossil fuel in terms of production of steel, automobiles, all the products that make Germany the economic powerhouse that we are has become a risky economic strategy.
“A key ingredient to that is national policy. Its not a revolutionary thing but it really matters. We recently passed the latest legislative climate and energy legislation in our history. We have a target backed up by a series of laws to achieve 80% renewables in the electricity sector by 2030. According to our independent environment agency, we are on track but we are not relaxing because we have much more to be done. Right now in 2023, we have 56% of our electricity that came from renewable energy sources.”
Morgan’s lecture stressed the importance of social justice and equitable development amidst the transition as well as the need to mitigate the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities.
“We’re phasing out coal which is our major fossil fuel by 2030. Along with those steps come the structural transformation on a vast scale and it needs to begin in a very social and just way.”
Looking ahead, Morgan underscored the opportunities inherent in the transition to renewable energy, noting the potential for job creation, economic growth, and improved health outcomes. She urged countries worldwide to seize the momentum and accelerate the transition to a sustainable and resilient energy future.
“According to projections, renewable energy will have created more jobs in Germany than will be lost in the fossil fuel industry by the time they are shut down. We’re investing heavily in wind and solar. We have no time to lose. What we’re facing, this kind of crisis, it has risks, it has costs, it causes damage to the economy and it destroys livelihoods. The longer we wait to change things, the worse it’s going to get. The sooner we act, the better.”
Speaking on how Africa is currently being assisted in making this important transition, she mentioned that in South Africa, efforts are being made to train workers to be able to install solar panels and Germany is working to share experiences in vocational training.
She concluded the lecture by reiterating the urgency of action in addressing this crisis, after which she entertained questions from individuals in attendance, engaging them in dialogue.
As the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, Morgan’s call to action resonates as a clarion call for global cooperation and decisive action to address the climate crisis. With determination and collective effort, there is hope for a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come.
Melissa Enoch
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