By Anna Marie Valentine
As part of its efforts to ensuring The Gambia acculturates to clean and sustainable energy consumption, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy last week gathered stakeholders from relevant ministries and organisations to discuss the ‘National framework for leapfrogging to energy efficient and climate-friendly air conditioners and refrigerators in The Gambia’.
This initiative is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme’s United for Efficiency Initiative, in collaboration with Green Climate Fund.
The project aims to develop an integrated policy framework that will lead to legislation on utilisation of energy-efficient air conditioners and residential refrigerators in the country.
Programme Manager for the UN Environment project, Patrick Blake noted the high sense of consideration that the UN places on energy efficiency and climate change. He described this initiative as an exceptional component of the project.
He affirmed that the project supports the development of a national cooling action plan, and that the broader plan will provide cooling in The Gambia and how these needs can be best met’’.
Representing the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Alagie Manjang, made reference to the devastating impacts of climate change and how it continues to plunge the world into poverty and other issues affecting human activities.
“There is need for a more climate-resilient development pathway. This is particularly important for The Gambia, as expressed in our nationally determined contributions against climate change. More frequent and sever drought pose serious risks to sustaining gains made in poverty reduction and in the broader goals of this country”.
Mr Manjang went on: The purpose is to help finance the paradigm shift towards low emission and climate resilient pathways to help limit or reduce gas emissions and to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.’’
The Gambia in recent years is facing high temperatures and a significant proportion of the population is at high risk of not having access to cooling due to low electricity access. During the capacity building workshop, stakeholders examined studies from other countries and best practices used to ensure energy efficient cooling products and adapt policy framework for the project.
