Ghana Youth Climate Defenders Present "Climate Clock" and Key Demands to Scale up Clean Energy to President Akufo-Addo at Cop26

On Tuesday, November 2nd, climate defenders from Ghana presented a Climate Clock and a set of demands to President Akufo-Addo, during a ceremony at the Ghana Pavilion inside the formal negotiating space at COP26.

Informed by the latest IPCC science, the Climate Clock will display a deadline of 7.75 years as our critical time window for climate action if we are to stay under 1.5degC warming, as well as the current percentage of the world's total energy consumption generated by renewable resources -- currently only at 12.5%.

The Ghanaian youth climate defenders also presented President Afuko-Addo with a set of demands, including the call for the government of Ghana to commit to 30% renewable energy within its energy mix by 2030. During COP26, the climate defenders are putting pressure on the government to commit to lower emissions and mobilizing support for the Renewable Energy for Communities campaign, to put Ghana well on its way to a clean energy future.

Landry Ninteretse, 350Africa.org:

"We are running out of time to take action towards reducing carbon emissions in order to avert some of the worst climate impacts of our time. At COP26, it is crucial that governments across the world, especially those in the Global North responsible for historic and current emissions take real action towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions, to slow the rate of global heating. It is crucial that Ghana and other African countries scale up clean energy for the sake of our planet and humanity. The lives of community members and the state of our environment are at stake. We cannot afford new climate impacts, human costs and economic risks due to climate inaction."

Portia Adu Mensah, Ghana Renewable Energy for Communities campaign:

"Since the days when we opposed the coal-fired power plant that was to be built in Ekumfi to date, we, as youth, will continue to stand and speak up to ensure our communities have access to clean energy. We not only need to break free from fossil fuels, but also need to lead in ensuring small scale, off-grid community-friendly renewable energy is accessible to all. In our petition, we are appealing to the government to scale up renewable energy to at least 30% of the country's energy mix by the year 2030."

Jerome Ringo, Climate Clock Global Ambassador:

"This climate clock has travelled from New York City to Accra, to Lagos. Apart from Ghana, we will soon deliver more clocks to other countries, including to President Buhari of Nigeria. Everywhere they go, the clocks will carry the message of the people with them. Through the clock we are drawing the world's attention to the urgency for action."

Okyeame Kwame, Climate Clock Ghana Ambassador:

"We must turn away from fossil fuels - the energy of destruction and death - and towards clean, renewable energy, the energy of nature, future and of life. With inclusion, climate justice, real and urgent actions, we can overturn our deadline into a lifeline, but we must work towards it."

Laura Berry, Climate Clock Research and Advocacy Director:

"The science is clear: we are in a climate emergency. The Climate Clock makes explicit the speed and scope of action that governments must take now in order to limit the worst impacts of climate devastation. From Ghana to Glasgow, we need real solutions to reach zero emissions as quickly as possible and build the renewable energy future that climate justice demands.