Sustainable Energy for Children in Zimbabwe
Situational Analysis of the Energy Status of Institutions that Support Children in Five Districts of Zimbabwe
Highlights
Access to energy is fundamental to improving the quality of life and is a key imperative for economic development”. Lack of access to energy services dramatically affects and undermines health, limits opportunities for education and development; and can reduce a family's potential to rise out of poverty. Thus to those that have it, modern energy unlocks access to improved healthcare, improved education, improved economic opportunities and, even a longer life, while to those that do not have energy, it is a major constraint on their social and economic development.
The problem of energy access for the poor has become even more acute because of the increased vulnerability brought about by climate change, the global financial crisis and volatile energy prices. Estimates point out that unless stronger commitments and effective policy measures are taken to reverse current trends, half the population in sub- Saharan Africa will still be without electricity by 2030, and the proportion of its population relying on traditional fuels for household energy needs will remain the highest among all world regions.
