Clean Air Task Force progress report 2023

Background

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing atmospheric pollution and global warming. CTF funds part of their Africa Energy & Climate Innovation Program that aims to lay the foundation for a clean energy future in Africa, focusing on local needs and enabling growth and economic development. CATF's approach goes beyond small scale solutions like microgrids for household consumption, aiming to influence clean-energy development in Africa on a larger scale.

CATF was included in the CTF due to its long history of successful policy work in reducing emissions and impressive track record advocating for policy change. Their focus on clean energy access in a high-growth scenario in Africa needed for economic and social development, is an under-prioritized area that brings important aspects of justice to the regional energy transition agenda and in need of more research and advocacy. CATF is also highly recommended by organizations like Founders Pledge and Giving Green.

Progress

In 2023, CATF made significant strides in its program. They published a novel study on Africa’s energy transitions, highlighting the disconnect between current energy transition strategies and Africa’s prevailing strategies. This paper reviews the current literature on Africa's energy transition and highlights the need for a more holistic approach to energy transition modeling in Africa, considering both climate change and socioeconomic development. The paper also emphasizes the importance of including African researchers in the process, given that most of the existing research lacks local authorship and fails to consider crucial technologies for a low or zero-carbon transition.

CATF also established several partnerships and agreements such as with major power utilities and industry associations to enhance utility performance and implement industrial decarbonization roadmaps. The progress is well in line with expectations.

Looking ahead, CATF plans to deepen their work in catalyzing grid expansion and improving utility performance as well as working on electric mobility and industrial decarbonization. CATF also plans to continue their global engagement, hosting Africa-focused events and publishing first-of-its-kind research on energy transitions in Africa. Their efforts are expected to contribute significantly to Africa's clean energy development.