Petition to the Malawian Government: Commitments for a Renewable Malawi
We, the undersigned, call on candidates and parties to commit to an urgent renewable energy transition by including the following commitments in the upcoming government manifestos and Malawi’s 2063 Vision:
Collective demands
Endorse the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty — Join the growing number of Global South nation states seeking a negotiating mandate, and advocate for Malawi to become a global leader in promoting its adoption. This proposed treaty aims to deliver a fair and financed transition to an equitable, justice-based and prosperous renewable future that delivers on energy access for all.
Accelerate the Transition to Renewable Energy – Commit to scaling up renewable energy deployment (wind, solar, small scale hydro), energy storage, and affordability to make renewables accessible to all.
Deliver Universal Electricity Access & Clean Cooking — Build on existing commitments like the National Energy Compact for Malawi and Mission 300 to deliver universal clean electricity access by 2030.
Ensure a Just Transition for Workers and Communities – Support workers and communities affected by energy transitions with policies that support reskilling, new green jobs, fairness, inclusion, community renewable energy projects and the protection of workers.
Ensure Public Participation in Decision-Making – Engage citizens, experts, and civil society in a transparent and participatory policymaking process for climate action.
Why does it matter?
Malawi is on the frontlines of a climate crisis that we did not cause. Cyclones Jude, Filipo, Freddy, Gombe, Ana, and Idai have uprooted our communities, pummelled our livelihoods, damaged roads and energy infrastructure facilities crippling the economy in the process, and left our ecosystems reeling. There are three substances supercharging this climate disaster — coal, oil and gas. Fossil fuel extraction is responsible for nearly 90% of the carbon emissions released into the atmosphere in the last decade. Fossil fuel expansion must be halted globally, if not climate catastrophe will continue to spread across our beloved communities like wildfire.
But fossil fuel extraction is not only putting our planet in jeopardy, it’s bad economics. Over 70% of the planned oil and gas projects across Africa are at risk of becoming stranded assets. And we have no room for bad economics. In the last four years, we have come face to face with debt distress, as our public sector debt has risen from 48 to 93 percent of our GDP, leaving scant room for public revenue for climate, health and education.
At the same time, we are one of the least electrified populations on Earth, with over 85% of our people living in energy poverty. But Malawi, just like our whole continent, holds immense renewable energy potential that remains untapped. Africa is home to 39% of global renewable energy potential and 60% of the world’s best potential. To break free from energy poverty and harness our untapped renewable potential, international cooperation is essential.
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, a proposed international mechanism to deliver a fair and funded transition from fossil fuels to an equitable renewable future, is a key pathway for Malawi and Africa as a whole to realise this potential.