COP29: Environmentalist tasks world leaders on local renewable energy solutions

An environmentalist and founder of CleanCyclers and Sustainability Unscripted, has called on world leaders to advocate for local renewable energy innovations that will amplify the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies for the Arctic region and Sub-Saharan Africa at the forthcoming 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Ambassador Otto Canon, the founder/CEO of CleanCyclers and Sustainability Unscripted, who disclosed this in a statement said that the event which will take place at the Arctic Pavilion on November 20th, 2024, with the theme: “Climate Resilience and Energy Solutions: Bridging Arctic and Africa Perspectives” will highlight the intersection of climate resilience and energy solutions.

He noted that the shared climate challenges faced by the two regions, the Arctic- increasingly threatened by rising temperatures and melting ice caps, and Africa- battling intensifying droughts, desertification, and energy inequity, will represent critical touch points in the global climate dialogue.

The environmental diplomat further stated that the sessions will feature discussions on renewable energy solutions tailored to local ecosystems, scalable nature-based approaches to resilience, and the potential for Arctic-African alliances to amplify the urgency of climate adaptation strategies.

He said, “The event comes at a time when the impacts of climate change are growing more severe across the globe, placing regions like the Arctic and Africa on the frontlines of this crisis.

“Both regions are uniquely vulnerable, yet they offer distinctive approaches to adaptation and energy transitions. By aligning their experiences, we aim to explore strategies that not only address local realities but also contribute to broader global solutions.

“This collaboration reflects the ethos of CleanCyclers, which has been at the forefront of sustainable waste management and circular economy initiatives in Africa, and Sustainability Unscripted, known for championing dialogues around environmental sustainability and energy innovation. Together, under my leadership, these organizations are working to ensure that underrepresented voices and regions gain prominence in shaping global climate action.

“Our goal at COP29 is to move beyond discussions and foster actionable partnerships. It’s not just about bridging the Arctic and African divide, it’s about uniting all regions for a sustainable and equitable future.”

“This COP29 side event reinforces the broader agenda of integrating diverse perspectives into global climate strategies, offering a space to address the pressing need for resilience and energy solutions in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.”