Habiba Ahut Daggash: The Energy Transition Needs New Ideas
Dec 13, 2023
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Habiba Ahut Daggash, Senior Associate at the Rocky Mountain Institute, discusses Nigeria's energy transition, the importance of decarbonization and development balancing, and the need for new ideas in addressing energy poverty. The podcast also explores the speaker's upbringing and influences, rethinking Nigeria's energy transition plan, and includes fun quick questions about their favorite sport and surprising career aspect.
Tailored solutions are needed for the African context, instead of assuming one-size-fits-all approaches for climate solutions.
Rigorous modeling and baseline assessments are crucial to ensure realistic plans for Nigeria's energy transition.
Deep dives
Habiba Daggash: An Accomplished Voice in the Energy and Climate Space
Habiba Daggash, a chemical Engineer and Senior Associate at the Africa Energy Program, is a remarkable voice in the energy and climate field. With her extensive experience in energy systems modeling and a focus on various issues, from renewable energy for rural agriculture to Nigeria's energy transition plan, Habiba brings authority and grace to the table. As a young woman, she challenges the lack of female representation in the industry and emphasizes the need for more diverse and powerful voices to shape the energy and climate discourse in Africa.
Disconnect Between Global Climate Solutions and African Realities
Habiba sheds light on the disconnect between global climate solutions and the realities faced by African countries. She highlights the lack of context-specificity in carbon dioxide removal solutions, pointing out the assumption that carbon reduction is the top priority for every country. However, in Africa, where basic public services, like water and electricity, are lacking, the focus is primarily on improving welfare and addressing immediate needs. Habiba emphasizes the need for solutions tailored to the African context, rather than assuming one-size-fits-all approaches.
Critiquing Nigeria's Net Zero Commitment
Habiba critically analyzes Nigeria's net zero commitment, expressing her frustration with the lack of transparency and unrealistic assumptions underlying the plan. She highlights the need for rigorous modeling and baseline assessments to ensure that plans align with what is feasible and possible within the country's economic and societal context. Habiba points out that committing to ambitious goals without a realistic plan hinders progress and creates a disservice to the country's energy transition.
Rethinking Nigeria's Energy Transition Framework
Habiba discusses her involvement in a consortium dedicated to rethinking Nigeria's energy transition framework. The goal is to create a realistic plan that considers the trade-offs between decarbonization and development, and identifies the best strategies to achieve energy services and job creation. By involving stakeholders and promoting transparency, the consortium aims to build local capacity and collaborate with government institutions to ensure sustainable and effective planning.
Habiba Ahut Daggash, Senior Associate with the Africa Energy Program at the Rocky Mountain Institute, discusses Nigeria’s energy transition, how climate change is more than a scientific problem, and why we need new ideas to approach development and energy poverty.