MenuFollowing the latest United Nations General Assembly, the UN Summit of the Future adopted the “Pact for the Future,” a document filled with ambitious pledges to tackle climate change, peace and security, and global inequalities. Secretary General of the UN Guterres proclaimed the pact a “’once in a generation’ opportunity to renew multilateral cooperation”.
The pact revolves around accelerating the transition to renewable energy and achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century. However, this ambitious vision for the future risks losing sight of the present and does not do enough for the 760 million people worldwide – 80 percent of whom are located in Sub-Saharan Africa, who do not have access to even basic electricity. The immediate energy needs of developing countries are being sidelined in favor of long-term ideals and platitudes.