Ogunbiyi named co-chair of UK energy transition panel

The United Kingdom has appointed Damilola Ogunbiyi as co-chair of the United Nations Climate Change Conference’s (COP26) Energy Transition Council, as the country kicks off Climate Week 2020.

UK CoP President, Alok Sharma co-chairs the panel with the Nigerian, who doubles as UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All.

The Briton made the announcement yesterday while speaking at a forum that had full complement of political and industry leaders on the next decade of clean energy co-operation.

He said Ford and Facebook have joined the campaign to achieve zero carbon emissions.

This was after the British government announced a fresh £50 million investment in a novel clean energy innovation facility to assist developing nations access requisite technologies.

Prior to her appointment last October by UN scribe, António Guterres, Ogunbiyi had led several organisations with interest in expanding energy reach in sub-Saharan Africa.

In June this year, the United States International Development Finance Corporation Board of Directors named her among pioneer members of its Development Advisory Council.

Ogunbiyi said: “We cannot achieve the promise of the Paris Agreement or Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all – without a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind.

“Today, just under 800 million people globally lack access to electricity, and we must close these gaps with renewable, efficient and affordable solutions.”