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The Role of China in Africa's Just Energy Transition
Overview
As the race intensifies to secure metals for the global energy transition, African countries, home to over 30% of the world’s mineral resources, are drawing increased attention. Chinese mineral mining operations in countries like Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Ghana, and Guinea are facing intense scrutiny over their environmental and human rights impacts. At the same time, China’s continued financing of off-grid coal-fired plants in these countries is further complicating the continent’s shift to clean energy.
Chinese investments are an important aspect of Africa’s regional economic aspirations. But to realize the economic promises of these investments requires environmental and social safeguards that ensure benefits for local communities.
Join us on September 9 for an expert panel featuring lawyers who have been working to integrate environmental justice in Chinese overseas investments, particularly in mining and off-grid coal-fired power plants in South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, and Malawi. They will share their stories of legal cases, watchdog work, and engagement with Chinese companies. Environmental Lawyer Jingjing Zhang (Center for Transnational Environmental Accountability, CTEA) will introduce the speakers who are part of a CTEA fellowship group visiting Washington D.C.
Introduction
![Zhang Jingjing 张兢兢](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/media/uploads/images/Jingjing%20Zhang19_10_23_11thhourconnect_22303.jpeg)
Zhang Jingjing 张兢兢
Panelists
![Gloria Majiga-Kamoto headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/media/uploads/images/gloria%20headshot.jpeg)
Gloria Majiga-Kamoto
![Samantha-Atukunda-headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/media/uploads/images/Samantha-Atukunda-2024.png)
Samantha Atukunda Kakuru Mwesigwa
![Emmanuella Doreen Kwofie headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/media/uploads/images/Emmanuella%20Doreen%20Kwofie.jpeg)
Emmanuella Doreen Kwofie
![Mazi Choshane](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/media/uploads/images/Mazi%20Choshane%20headshot.jpeg)
Mazi Choshane
Hosted By
China Environment Forum
Since 1997, the China Environment Forum's mission has been to forge US-China cooperation on energy, environment, and sustainable development challenges. We play a unique nonpartisan role in creating multi-stakeholder dialogues around these issues. Read more
Environmental Change and Security Program
The Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP) explores the connections between environmental change, health, and population dynamics and their links to conflict, human insecurity, and foreign policy. Read more
Africa Program
The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations. Read more