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For issue 56 of Renewable Matter, focused on the Global South, we brought three experts to the Think Tank table, who are working towards the innovation of systems and the sustainable transition of key emerging economies.

With Lerato Mataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Department of the African Union, we took stock of Africa’s energy transition and, more broadly, of the path towards a fairer and more resilient future, in which climate finance and innovation will play a fundamental role.

With Shalini Bhalla, founder of the International Council for Circular Economy (ICCE), we discussed the circular economy in India and the challenges that the world’s largest democracy faces in achieving sustainable development.

Finally, Jane Mariara, President of the African Society for Ecological Economics, explained how the Earth4All model could be applied to Kenya, enabling the country to make significant progress on issues such as tackling inequalities, eradicating poverty, empowering women, transforming food systems, and advancing energy transition.

Below is a preview of the topics we discussed. You can read the full interviews in Renewable Matter #56.

Lerato Mataboge: a new chapter for Africa

As Africa navigates the complex path towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future, the African Union Agenda 2063 envisions an ambitious picture of an integrated, prosperous, and sustainable continent, driven by innovation, equity, and energy independence. However, to make this vision a reality will require more than dreams. Climate finance – regardless of where it is derived from, whether it is public investment, the private sector, or a green startup specialising in venture capital – will be a key part of the solution to catalyse Africa’s green transition. Part of the solution involves building climate-resilient infrastructure, enabling climate smart policies in tandem, and promoting clean technology innovation.

Rim Ben Khalifa discussed these topics with Lerato Mataboge, the newly appointed Commissioner

for Infrastructure and Energy Department of the African Union, a leading voice in trade, integration, sustainable development, and international cooperation. In this exclusive conversation, Lerato Mataboge reflects on Africa’s potential as a global leader in renewable energy, the importance of inclusive climate financing, and the steps needed to translate political will into real, measurable change.

Shalini Bhalla: in India, circularity is an ancient tale reaching into the future

For anyone who has been there, it is obvious that the circular economy is in India’s DNA. In the nation of Mahatma Gandhi, returnable empties are not a groundbreaking practice and reuse–often very ingenious and creative–of waste materials, mechanical components and second-hand objects is part of everyday life.

Today, however, the country is taking a scale leap. The ambitious plan unveiled by Narendra Modi and christened Viksit Bharat (literally “developed India”) envisions its transformation into a prosperous and modern nation by 2047, in time for the 100th anniversary of Independence.

An accelerated development that will also have to incorporate the principles of sustainability and circularity, managing to combine a huge informal sector with the most innovative recycling technologies and proven practices and regulations.

Giorgia Marino discussed this with Shalini Bhalla, founder of the International Council for Circular Economy (ICCE), author of the first book published in India on the circular economy (Circular Economy. (Re)emerging Movement) and editor of India’s first publication on the subject, the Journal on Circular Economy.

Jane Mariara: a giant leap for Kenya

Launched in 2020, Earth4All today represents one of the most influential global initiatives aimed to deliver a scalable model to transform the current economic and political systems and achieve wellbeing for all within the planetary boundaries. Promoted by a group of prestigious institutions–The Club of Rome, BI Norwegian Business School, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact e Stockholm Resilience Centre–the E4A initiative brought together leading scientists, economic thinkers and communicators who work in continuity with the legacy traced by the Limits to Growth report and the Planetary Boundaries model.

Just like in 1972 with the scenarios outlined in Limits to Growth, the heart of the project is a system dynamic simulation model that works on two scenario hypotheses for the coming decades, “Too Little Too Late” and “Giant Leap”. Based on the policies to be adopted, the results will be measured in five fundamental areas of transformation: tackling inequalities, ending poverty, empowering women, transforming food systems, and transitioning to clean energy. For each one of those areas, an “extraordinary turnaround” is outlined.

Many papers and reports have been published on specific aspects based on the global model first presented in the book Earth For All. A Survival Guide for Humanity, including the declination of the model at the national level. After Germany and Austria, Kenya has been chosen as a case study to contextualise the model.

Of Earth4All Kenya, Marco Moro spoke with one of its main authors, Jane Mariara, who is also the Executive Director of PEP-Partnership for Economic Policy and President of The African Society for Ecological Economics.

DOWLOAD AND READ ISSUE #56 OF RENEWABLE MATTER: GLOBAL SOUTH

Cover: Lerato Mataboge, Shalini Bhalla, Jane Mariara