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    Energy and Climate change

    Human energy consumption accounts for nearly 65% of GHG emissions. The first way to reduce GHGs is consequently to manage this sharply growing consumption.

    According to IPCC estimates, stabilizing the climate will require bringing down human CO2 emissions to below half the 1990 level. The consequences of current energy policies are not compatible with this target of reducing GHGs. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that if the current “business as usual” trend continues, GHG emissions will rise by 60% by 2030 and will double by 2050.

    Rich countries must enter a new era. The world’s billion richest people are heavily over-emitting carbon. On the contrary, the majority of the population in poor and emerging countries aspires to have access to modern energies. Two billion people currently only use traditional biomass. Most of them do not have access to the electricity grid and emit very little CO2. In these countries, modern electricity and transport infrastructure remain limited to a small part of the economy. Many populations seek access to electricity, mobility, mechanical power or a comfort that they do not currently enjoy.

    AFD, via its energy projects, aims to help the most disadvantaged populations gain access to basic energy services and meet the booming energy demand – while ensuring it is sustainably managed – in emerging economies.
     

    Energy, a priority for AFD

    AFD’s energy projects fall within the more general framework of its strategic orientations which focus on combating poverty, promoting economic growth in South countries and protecting global public goods.

    The energy strategy is based on three intervention areas:
    - to build low-carbon economies by scaling up the use of renewable energies, energy efficiency and demand management. Find out more.
    - to provide access to modern and reliable energy for all. Find out more.
    - to develop competitive and secure energy systems. Find out more.

    AFD has a cross-cutting aim to promote a change in the energy model in beneficiary countries. Its core operations – particularly in sectors that pose a major challenge in terms of CO2 reduction – focus on: industrial modernization, construction and housing, public transport, renewable energy production, urban development and rural and forest development. This energy change is a way to give shape to AFD’s climate strategy.
     

    >> See Energy/Climate projects

    Strategy