The GINGR event on a People-Positive Energy Transition, designed to highlight the urgency of a just energy transition, and to discuss possible solutions, was a resounding success. The workshop, which took place on November 21 at the SDG Pavilion at COP 29, brought together different perspectives from a very diverse audience that will ultimately help shape the GINGR framework, with a particular focus on ensuring tangible benefits for communities.
Antonella Battaglini, the CEO of the Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI), led a lively discussion with participants from very diverse backgrounds. Together with Rachel Asante-Owusu from IUCN, they presented the idea of GINGR and discussed the different views on what People-Positive means in different contexts, mainly in the Global South, but also in the North.
Participants shared their experiences and ideas to create a People-Positive vision that reflects the diverse realities of communities around the world.
During the discussion it became clear that there will be no successful and sustainable energy transition without the empowerment of local communities. There is an undeniable need to respect, involve, and engage the communities where wind, solar and electricity grids will be built. Discussants identified several critical criteria for measuring People-Positive solutions, such as health, food and water security, a general sense of security, cultural acceptance, etc. It also became obvious that discussions need to be bottom-up bottom up, rather than bringing ready-made decisions to communities.
As one participant put it:
“We need to empower local communities on the ground and include their voices in the platforms, but also reflect their experiences. It is necessary to think about who the infrastructure is being built for and how to create opportunities for the people directly affected.”
The event was a successful inclusive workshop format and open to all comments from the participants. In the same spirit, GINGR invites interested stakeholders to continue the discussion on Nature- and People-Positive solutions.
Watch the recording of the discussion at the SDG Pavilion below: