Kwazulu-natal: While global energy talks at the final G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) and Energy Transitions Ministerial Meetings ended inconclusively, a different, more urgent struggle was won – one affecting a young girl who, instead of studying after school, must trek for firewood.

According to South African Government News Agency, South Africa used its G20 Presidency to successfully champion the cause of clean cooking, lifting it from the shadows into the mainstream of the G20. Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa hailed this as a ‘major victory’ for the continent during a media briefing at the culmination of the meetings held in KwaZulu-Natal this week.

The Minister highlighted that at least one billion people globally, mainly in Africa, lack access to clean cooking, forcing them to rely on health-threatening fuels like coal, wood, animal dung, and paraffin. He emphasized the human rights aspect of this issue, noting that of the 1.4 billion people on the continent, one bill
ion do not have access to clean cooking, and 600 million lack access to electricity.

Ramokgopa expressed satisfaction in elevating clean cooking to the G20’s mainstream agenda, despite the meetings not reaching consensus on other energy issues. He acknowledged the challenge of achieving consensus given the polarized views on energy, with renewables on one side, fossil fuels on the other, and a middle-ground approach.

The Minister assured that South Africa will continue to pursue unresolved priority areas on other platforms, including the AU 2063 Agenda and collaborations with partners like the European Union. Despite the lack of consensus, he emphasized ongoing efforts and partnerships to drive progress in areas like green hydrogen and infrastructure investment.