Johannesburg: South Africa's proposed Africa Energy Efficiency Facility could emerge as a defining achievement of the country's G20 Presidency - a bold, continent-led initiative that embodies African leadership on the global stage and turns commitments into action.
According to South African Government News Agency, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Chief of Mitigation Branch: Climate Division, Hongpeng Lei, who delivered remarks at a side event at the Energy Transitions Working Group meeting this week, applauded South Africa's "vision of placing energy efficiency at the core of the. G20 energy agenda."
"This gathering is more than a technical forum. It is a political and strategic turning point. It is a moment where Africa steps forward with confidence and clarity to shift to a legacy of practical climate action rooted in equity, innovation and resilience," Lei stated.
Lei emphasized the importance of the African Energy Efficiency Facility as a potential defining outcome of South Africa's G20 Presidency. He highlighted that the initiative aligns with the shared priorities of the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group, focusing on affordability, energy access, climate resilience, and inclusive growth, all of which begin with efficiency.
The UNEP official noted that South African leadership on the facility "references the G20 evolution from high level priorities to. regional action." He expressed the hope that by the time COP30 convenes in Brazil, the facility could serve as a model for how the G20 delivers community, credibility, and concrete solutions.
Lei highlighted the collaborative efforts championed by South Africa and the African Union, supported by UNEP, to establish the facility as a long-term platform designed to mobilize finance, technical assistance, and skill up efficiency solutions across the continent. He described it as a strategic G20 legacy initiative that is Africa-led, globally supported, and designed to deliver impactful results.
Furthermore, Lei mentioned that energy efficiency is the most equitable pathway to reducing emissions, expanding energy access, and ensuring energy security. He stressed that the facility is more than just a concept, but a symbol of what the G20 Presidency stands for-African solutions for global challenges built on equity, innovation, and partnerships.
The UNEP representative called on G20 members, development banks, and African partners to secure predictable and ethical financing for the facility. He concluded by asserting that Africa is not waiting but leading, urging for a legacy worthy of the G20.