Energy Access Has Declined for the First Time in Ten Years

The journey towards a diverse workforce in the renewable energy sector is filled with obstacles. However, thanks to the tireless work of organizations such as the Ethiopian Women in Energy Association (EWiEn) and SHEnergy, leaders like Lewam, and their collaborative partners, the vision of a sustainable and equitable future is increasingly within reach.

How can women in India and Nepal be empowered as micro-entrepreneurs to combat poverty, promote gender equality, and increase access to renewable energy?

The COP29 summit in Baku highlighted significant gaps between climate ambitions and real-world outcomes, focusing on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. Despite raising the annual climate finance target to $300 billion, the amount falls far short of the $3 trillion needed annually for a global low-carbon transition. The summit's outcomes were criticized for insufficient transparency, inefficiencies in fund deployment, and disproportionate influence from 1,770 fossil fuel lobbyists overshadowing climate-vulnerable nations. Key challenges include bureaucratic delays, opaque financial tracking, and inadequate representation of underprivileged nations in negotiations. Critics emphasized the need for stringent conflict-of-interest policies to curb fossil fuel lobbying, alongside transparent Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure accountability in climate finance. While the NCQG presents an opportunity to mobilize global partnerships and private investment, its success hinges on equitable representation, robust monitoring, and effective disbursement. Without these, COP risks failing to meet its mission of achieving meaningful climate action.