MPs hear first-hand account of energy poverty in developing countries17 October 2011
UK policies are affecting people's access to energy in poorer countries, MPs heard last week.
> See Friends of the Earth's event briefing here
At a parliamentary briefing organised by Friends of the Earth and the World Development Movement, South African community activist Bongani Mthembu shared first-hand experiences of:
- Impacts of climate change
- Energy poverty and lack of access to electricity
- How World Bank policies are worsening access to energy in Africa.
Families in South Africa are forced to choose between putting food on the table, educating their children or paying their electricity bills.
Bongani Mthembu, South African Community Activist
Business as usual?
International financial institutions like the World Bank fund fossil fuel-based energy production. This fails to tackle climate change and doesn't provide the poorest with affordable energy.
Instead, the poorest pay back World Bank loans through their energy bills.
This is worrying as the World Bank currently has a central role in distributing finance to tackle climate change.
Alternative
Friends of the Earth is calling for a new way to transfer renewable energy to developing countries.
The UK Government could lead this work by redirecting money into new pilot projects that would:
- Tackle climate change
- Provide increased energy access to enable genuine development
- Stimulate the global transition to green energy including the UK.
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