Practical Action CEO Sarah Roberts has given evidence into a report into how UKAid can better support the goal of global energy access for millions of marginalised people.
The inquiry is being held by the UK Parliament’s International Development Select Committee and is focused on how development spending can improve community-led energy.
With 685 million people still without electricity and more than two billion people still cooking over open fires, resulting in over 3 million premature deaths each year, lack of energy access continues to keep people trapped in poverty, exacerbates environmental damage and contributes to urban migration.
Sarah faced questions from a number of MPs from different sides of the House of Commons, enabling her to share Practical Action’s 60 years’ experience of working with communities to deliver context-specific energy solutions across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
She said: “I am glad that Practical Action’s long-experience has been identified as having important lessons for the future by the committee – and huge credit should go to all of our teams across the world who lead the way in working with women and vulnerable groups to improve their access to energy, and, in turn, their lives.
“I emphasised that the critical importance of developing and delivering energy products and services ONLY after developing a strong understanding of the local context and the needs of all parts of the community. Approaches have to be community led not product led and require good understanding of the context, user needs and financial realities.
“I also spoke about ensuring that local capability is built for management and maintenance of all equipment and that the needs of women, displaced people, the extreme poor and rural communities must be considered in all conversations around energy access.”
Sarah emphasised the vital role that UK aid has played in enabling Practical Action and our partners to test and scale inclusive energy approaches that work in the long term.
She said: “UK government funding has supported ground-breaking work by Practical Action to improve services for those currently without energy and will not be well served by standard government and business approaches.
“For example, the support to the Global Distributors Collective, which exists to strengthen its 240 member businesses that deliver products and services to under-served communities is one of the most effective ways for inclusive scaling of energy for off-grid communities.”
“But although the committee was clearly engaged and asked excellent questions, it felt something of a travesty to be having this conversation at a time of 40% aid cuts which will fundamentally undermine the type of change that we were discussing.
“UK investment in this sector is something that is making a substantive difference and that we should be proud of. The multiplier effects are huge, enabling people to lift themselves out of poverty and live better lives.
“That is ultimately is good for everyone and it is important that funding is increased, not decreased. At Practical Action, we continue to advocate for energy systems that are inclusive, resilient, and built to last.”
“There is still a long way to go. But with the right investment and support, real and lasting change is possible. I hope the committee – and the Labour Government – act on what they heard.”
You can watch the recording of the session here.
Find out more about our work on energy access.
