When viewed from space, Europe seems to burn brightly, while Africa smoulders like a cigarette under the ashes. Energy poverty reduces life to the bare essentials: there is light during the day and warmth when the sun shines. Reading is a luxury and collecting wood to make a fire is daily hard labour that takes hours to complete.

Energy consumption has a global impact. Because 80 per cent of it is based on fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, it is changing the climate. And climate change has no conscience, it does not turn against those who cause it. Quite the contrary, it affects first and foremost the poor. The rise in temperature already has multiple effects in the Global South, such as more frequent droughts, more violent cyclones and, subsequently, crop losses and destruction.

We are committed to ensuring access to sustainable energy sources for all people. Unfortunately, “renewable” doesn't always mean “socially just”. Large-scale projects such as dams, in particular, rarely benefit the local population. Instead, they entail violence and force people to leave their homes. That's why our projects support people affected by large-scale projects to fight for their human rights.
In addition, we advocate for political dialogue to further sustainable forms of energy and action on energy saving.