With half a billion people in Africa living without access to clean cooking and between 600 and 800 million people without electricity, fossil fuel extraction could be a route for emerging economies to be lifted out of poverty. And while some institutions predict renewables could meet up to 80 percent of Africa’s electricity needs, Africa would still need gas — or other fossil fuels — to produce things like cement, steel and fertilizers. But at this stage in the climate crisis, should emerging nations be allowed to determine their own energy future? Or should their short-term development be sacrificed to save the Global North from its mistakes?

Some will argue that two wrongs don’t make a right. So what do leaders propose to secure the future of emerging nations, currently crippled by the increasing effects and costs of climate change? If the loss and damage question is off the cards for rich countries, how do they propose to facilitate an energy future in the Global South that reflects the emerging-nation reality? If emerging economies extract more fossil fuels, should we draw the line at natural gas? And can we be sure these resources are used where they are needed?

Either way, these nations need a fighting chance at building up their own resilience. But who gets to decide their future?

Participants: 

• Declan Walsh, Chief Africa Correspondent, The New York Times 
• Élisabeth Moreno, Entrepreneur and Former Politician, France 
• Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director, Power Shift Africa