Climate activists present at the COP27 climate conference in Egypt, protested on Tuesday demanding that nations cease funding new gas projects in Africa.
Due to the Russia/Ukraine war, western countries are experiencing an energy crisis and are seeking alternatives to supplement their supply.
Addressing delegates at an event on clean energy transition hosted by Britain on the sidelines of the summit, Ugandan climate activist, Vanessa Nakate said: “If your country is breaking a promise not to finance new fossil fuel development overseas, by investing in new gas infrastructure in Africa, then you are not a climate leader.
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“If your country’s planned expansion of its oil and gas development would by itself put the 1.5 degrees Celsius target out of reach, then you are not a climate leader. So, I ask each of the leaders here today. Will you be on the right side of history?”
Nakate expressed concern that officials from the oil and gas industry were infiltrating the annual meeting and using it as “a sales and marketing conference for more pollution and more destruction and more devastation.”
More than 600 attendees with connections to the fossil fuel sector, according to environmental groups, attended the meeting.
This story was adapted from africanews.
