![](\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sustainabledevelopment\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Rachel-Kyte-300x300.jpg\" "\\"Rachel")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Ms. Rachel Kyte<\/strong>, Where current energy systems exist, they will need to be upgraded to be able to draw power from modern renewables and to exploit storage solutions that they require. The institutions and mindsets of current systems are still comfortable with the systems of the past, those that prioritized fossil fuels in centralized grid systems.<\/p>\n The revolution of renewable energy is not just that it\u2019s clean, but that it can be delivered both through the grid as well as decentralized solutions, allowing it to reach those who have never enjoyed access to reliable and affordable energy before. Yet this change requires political leadership and policy certainty for the levels of investment needed, and we need that renewable investment now.<\/p>\n As the world warms and populations rapidly grow, particularly in the cities of the developing world, we risk creating \u2018heat islands\u2019 that could substantially increase energy demands as people seek cooling access for their own health and safety, as well as the safety of medical supplies, fresh food and safe work environments. At the same time, if we rely on today\u2019s cooling technologies that use high hydroflourocarbons (HFCs) in air conditioning, we will exasperate climate impacts from a growing use of short-lived climate pollutants.<\/p>\n In policy terms, providing everyone with access to the sustainable cooling they need, is the opportunity at the intersections of the Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement and the Kigali Amendment.\u00a0 In human terms, finding a way to provide hyper efficient pollutant free cooling for people, their vaccines and food is about making sure we leave no one behind. While the Paris Agreement reached almost universal ratification in record time, we now need member states to move with the same swiftness and determination to ratify the Montreal Protocol\u2019s Kigali Amendment.<\/p>\n The scientific evidence presented in the IPCC report means that all governments, through meeting their fundamental responsibilities in providing a duty of care to their citizens, need to ensure that aggressive and comprehensive policies are in place to speed energy transitions towards clean, affordable and reliable energy for all.<\/p>\n For business, being able to be on the leading edge of this transition means being positioned for profitability, success in attracting and retaining talent, and ensuring that inevitable regulation \u2013 and in some cases litigation \u2013 is a risk that is understood and well managed. All businesses must regard carbon as a toxin which needs to be avoided, mitigated and managed to not only support climate action, but help ensure their business is resilient to the ever-growing impacts of climate change.<\/p>\n Yes. As an immediate step, we all have to be much more efficient in our use of energy. We can provide for many more needs with much less energy through technological innovation and business models. Renewable energy gives us a cost-effective way to meet the needs of those who have never had energy before to help them become economically productive.<\/p>\n By putting the needs of the last mile first, we can build decentralized, digitalized and decarbonized energy systems that meet everyone\u2019s needs. This is not beyond human ingenuity \u2013 the cost is estimated at just over US$50 billion a year. Yet it requires political will and determination. When we consider that US$50 billion leaves the African continent through illegal financial flows, money laundering and tax evasion each year, we must work harder to ensure that the energy needs of these vulnerable populations \u2013 women, children, remote rural populations – can be met.<\/p>\n First, we need to support countries put in place robust policy frameworks and investment climates that will spur both domestic investment as well as attract international investment. Secondly, development finance, in partnership with these countries, has to be directed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.<\/p>\n
\nChief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All<\/a>, and Special Representative of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All.\u00a0Ms. Kyte was the World Bank Group Vice President and Special Envoy for Climate Change, leading the Bank Group\u2019s efforts to campaign for the Paris Agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>The cost of renewable energy is low, and at times, less than fossil fuels.\u00a0 What are the barriers to switching to renewables?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The recent <\/strong>Cooling for All<\/strong><\/a> report highlighted an issue many people didn\u2019t speak of until recently. How does it relate to climate?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Can governments, businesses and communities that embrace clean energy solutions survive economically, and where do you see the greatest impact of green energy solutions? <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Can we realistically meet the needs of the just under 1 billion people who don\u2019t have regular access to electricity through renewable energy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How can we support low-income countries when it comes to innovation and strengthening infrastructure that allow for modern technology approaches?<\/strong><\/h3>\n