OPEC demands balance between emissions, energy poverty reduction

Oredola Adeola

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC) has advocated for balance between emissions reduction and addressing energy poverty facing developing countries including Nigeria, insisting that both require comprehensive and sustainable policies that are all-inclusive, leaving no one behind.

Mohammad Barkindo, OPEC, Secretary General, made this appeal while addressing the high level segment of ongoing COP-26 climate change summit in Glasgow, Scotland on Wednesday.

According to the International Energy Agency, “over 1.3 billion people are without access to electricity and 2.6 billion are without clean cooking facilities. More than 95% of these people are in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan Africa countries or developing Asia and 84% are in rural areas.”

The OPEC SG said, “The delicate balance between emissions reduction, energy affordability and energy security requires both comprehensive and sustainable policies that are all-inclusive, leaving no one behind.”

Barkindo while underscoring the magnitude and consequence of the COP26, said, “This is no ordinary time. It is a landmark COP, where the future of humanity is at stake.”
“We must remember the often ignored scientific fact: climate change and energy poverty are two sides of the same coin,” said.

“We need to ensure energy is available and affordable for all; we need to move towards a more inclusive, fair and equitable world in which every person has access to energy, aligned with SDG 7; and we need to reduce emissions”.

The SG however reiterated OPEC’s commitment to multilateralism, which is a cornerstone of energy, climate and sustainable development, as demonstrated through the UNFCCC process.

He said, “OPEC subscribes to a sustainable path forward; one that works for us all.”