A Pathway to Driving Sustainable Impact in Energy-Poor Regions

As a SIRI Research Consultant at SIPA, Columbia University, I am working with a climate financing solution that uses renewable energy to drive peace and sustainable development in conflict-affected, energy-poor regions. One of the biggest barriers to success for these projects is the difficulty in gathering adequate financial support — renewable energy projects in 'fragile' countries such as Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, and Angola face significant challenges in securing the funding needed to scale, expand, or even launch these initiatives.

The project opened a gateway for me to navigate complex global value chains that contribute to scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, especially in vulnerable regions and find opportunities to deploy renewable energy solutions to foster sustainable development within these regions. For example, I identified strong opportunities for P-REC partnerships with apparel brands that operate in energy-poor and conflict-affected regions, where garment producers are a major export and scope 1 and 2 emissions are a concern. I incorporated my research findings in collaterals such as; user guides, templates and industry specific case-studies to enable the client to strategically approach large corporations as buyers of peace renewable energy credits. 

Additionally, the project continuously encouraged me to reflect on challenges low-middle-income countries face and how P-RECs serve as a powerful tool to strengthen resilience in export-dependent economies, enhancing their long-term economic stability and fostering peaceful cooperation between nations focused on mutual environmental goals. The exploitation of natural resources in countries like Angola and Nigeria often results in severe environmental damage, including oil spills which undermines efforts to build sustainable value chains. Without solutions like climate financing—such as solar energy, which offers lower operational costs in the long run—essential services like electricity for schools, healthcare facilities, and public street lighting would remain out of reach for many communities. Moreover, lack of access to basic infrastructure makes it harder for local populations to participate in the workforce and sustain their livelihoods, particularly those dependent on exports for economic stability.

The project also promoted me to consider the risk and geopolitical tensions, particularly for large-scale initiative. For large corporations investments that foster development in conflict affected regions do come with few risks and geopolitical trade decisions. For example, Bangladesh’s economy is heavily dependent on the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, and any disruptions, such as political conflicts or logistical challenges, could significantly impact production and exports. Such disruptions would not only reduce export volumes but also strain trade relations with key partners like the US and the EU. These instances emphasize on the importance of fostering collaborative strategies to mitigate challenges and drive sustainable progress. 

The end result included but was not limited to helping relevant stakeholders across large corporations make decisions quicker and identifying internal stakeholders beyond the sustainability team to engage in the sustainability dialogue. For example, we navigated the integral role of auditors, regulators and finance team in the decision-making process for implementing ESG measures. By addressing the unique motivations of different corporate decision makers, our client can effectively demonstrate the wide range of benefits that investing in peace renewable energy credits offer. These benefits align with key business priorities and drive value across business functions — ESG goals, simplifying emissions reporting, enhancing brand image as a sustainable and responsible company, reducing exposure to regulatory risks, attracting investors focused on sustainability and long-term value, impacting consumer preferences and benefiting from green incentives.