Sustainable future for all: Energy transition in battling climate change

The world is evolving rapidly, and life on earth is racing to keep up. Human activities continue to increase, advance, and modernize.  As the world is heading towards a sustainable future, energy transition is important or plays a crucial role in combating climate change.

Fighting climate change is taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and implementing policies and practices that mitigate the adverse effects of global warming.

The world is now shifting from using dirty fuel to cleaner sources like solar and wind energy. This step is essential for a better tomorrow.

The transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewable energy sources represents not just a technological shift but a moral initiative to protect our planet for future generations.

Climate change, caused by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, has caused series of harmful and deadly impacts on the environment, making it unsafe for living breeds.

Leading the energy transition, China has published in 2020 that it aims to become carbon neutral by 2060, and it has since strengthened its place among the countries leading the energy transition. Also here in Ghana, The government as well as other experts after careful analysis have unveiled an energy transition and investment plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. This ambitious target is an update of the National Energy Transition Framework (NETF) which had a previous goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.

Currently, climate change has caused a rise in global temperatures, extreme weather events, and the loss of biodiversity. These effects underscore the pressing need for a transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that without swift and decisive action, these changes will become increasingly irreversible.

In November, 2023, in Accra, Ghana, Citi media in partnership with the Natural Resource Governing Institute (NRGI) conducted a one-day training program to enhance knowledge in the field of energy transition in the media space. This event, held in preparation for the Conference of Parties (COP28), aiming to enhance media professionals’ understanding of energy transition issues.

This initiative was a good one. More awareness needs to be created to help fight climate change.

As the world strives towards a sustainable future, the energy transition stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to human ingenuity. By embracing renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and fostering international cooperation, we can forge a path towards a low-carbon economy and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

The decisions made today will shape the world of tomorrow, determining whether we leave a legacy of environmental stewardship or continued ecological decline.