This podcast episode, featuring Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), continues to explore Power for All’s top energy access trends to watch in 2022. The conversation kicked off with some reflections from Dr. Ghosh, dating as far back as 12 years ago when CEEW was just a thought waiting to be implemented. It has since blossomed into a team of 149 mostly young people that can take credit for most of the transformational policies and actions that India has taken in the climate action and clean energy fronts. These include climate negotiations, the Paris Agreement, Kigali amendment to phase-down of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and the creation of the International Solar Alliance. Dr. Ghosh said CEEW’s mission has been to raise the bar yet stay grounded to continue with the positive impact its work has had on millions of people.
Rich and Poor, No One Will be Spared From the Climate Crisis
Dr. Ghosh and Kristina agreed that the world was not yet in the aftermath of the global pandemic because COVID-19 was still here and therefore, the world needed to adapt to life with the virus. Dr. Ghosh noted that the pandemic did not spare anyone, the rich and the poor were adversely affected. He said the same will happen with the climate crisis that’s already here and will spare no one. This calls for a collaborative effort that recognizes that decentralized renewable energy needs to be “mainstreamed” and offered as a solution to avert the climate crisis. He emphasized that DRE was a solution to not only the climate change impact but to also broader social and economic challenges.
Setting the Record Straight on “Phase Down” Vs “Phase Out” Narrative
In this episode, Dr. Ghosh also set the record straight on India’s controversial “phase down” versus “phase out” language used to conclude the COP26 negotiations. He explained the evolution of the statements from Glasgow, which sent shockwaves around the world, in a well-informed and holistic point of view.
Creating Opportunities While Addressing the Climate crisis
Dr. Ghosh also delved into one of Power for All Access to Energy trending topics, E-Mobility, which has been dubbed a revolution in India because of its rapid growth. He explained how and why E-Mobility thrives in India and other developing countries like Kenya. The main point, however, was the creation of opportunities that come with a cleaner mode of public transport. He said it wasn’t just about a large balance sheet for firms that can manufacture a big car or battery, but it was also about many smaller firms that can innovate with apps for backup for charging, finding charging stations, and creation of a marketplace for clean entrepreneurship in the context of every country. Listen to the podcast to hear more on our Access to Energy Top Trends for 2022.
