Clean energy innovators from three African countries are among winners of this year’s prestigious Ashden Awards which recognise the world’s most innovative initiatives implementing clean and accessible energy and natural climate solutions. Four out of the six winners from the Global South are from African countries; two from Kenya, and the others from Togo, and Zimbabwe. Between them they took away prizes for improving farmers’ access to clean energy, transforming refugees’ livelihoods, or training people for jobs linked to renewable energy technologies. For the first time since it started in 2001, the Ashden Awards this year is being held in Nairobi, as well as London, ahead of COP27 which will have an Africa focus. The ceremony, hosted by Kenyan human rights lawyer Cynthia Nyongesa on Thursday night, brought to life the stories and solutions of organisations creating the future and premiered powerful films showing the winners’ work. Harriet Lamb, Ashden CEO, said: “Through our awards and at this, our first African ceremony, we are proud to celebrate and promote the ground-breaking climate solutions which will deliver a low-carbon future. Our winners and runners up show how the continent is a hotbed of innovation demonstrating the resilience and ingenuity of those most at risk from climate change”. “They also show that clean energy has the potential to create jobs – 14 million in Africa by 2030 – and boost livelihoods. Green energy is a must. We will be showcasing their inspiring stories at the crucial COP27 climate talks in Egypt, where global leaders should sit up, take notice and provide adequate funding to scale up efforts to deliver a future in which no one is left behind,” Lamb explained. https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/kenyan-low-carbon-innovators-scoop-international-climate-awards/