Last week, activists from Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin and DRC delivered letters to African Development Bank offices in their respective countries, urging the bank to commit to 100% renewables and to stop any fossil fuel investments in Africa.

 

In this joint regional action organised as part of the Zero Emissions/Omissions campaign, the activists asked the African Development Bank for increased transparency in their investment deals and to disclose and share publicly the greenhouse gas emissions at the project and portfolio levels.

 

Most of the countries that have joined the Zero Emissions/Omissions campaign have been experiencing extreme weather events and other devastating impacts related to climate change. They are also among the countries with a significant level of energy poverty that AfDB and other development partners across the continent are trying to address.

 

By sending the letter, they are sending a strong signal and pressing request to the bank’s leadership for greater and concrete climate leadership and action through the acceleration of the 100% renewable energy funding and the phasing out of coal and other fossil fuels projects.

 

This letter, which is one of the first actions of the Zero Emissions/Omissions, is addressed to Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the full Board of Directors of the Bank.  Climate activists from other countries will continue delivering such letters in the next few weeks.