Sustainable climate protection
Why climate protection is crucial
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Droughts, heatwaves, floods and crop failures threaten livelihoods on all continents. Regions in the Global South are particularly badly affected – even though they have contributed the least to global warming.
In order to contain the consequences, we need a rapid turnaround in the energy system: away from coal, oil and gas and towards renewable energies. Solar energy is a key lever here – it is emission-free, available almost everywhere and is already the cheapest source of electricity in many regions.
Facts on climate change and the energy transition
- Over its life cycle, solar power generates less than 50 g of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour—compared with more than 1,000 g for coal.
- Fossil energy sources are the main cause of global warming and its consequences such as extreme weather and water shortages.
- Although Africa is responsible for less than 4% of global emissions, it bears a disproportionate share of the resulting impacts.
- In 2024, almost 7% of the world's electricity came from solar energy.
Why climate protection needs justice
The consequences of climate change affect people unequally: The richest 10% of the global population are responsible for roughly half of all emissions, while communities in the Global South bear the harshest consequences—through droughts, crop losses, or lack of access to clean water and energy. Just climate protection means bringing solutions to where they are most urgently needed.
Why Africa must be in focus
Africa is at a crucial point today. Hundreds of millions of people still have no access to electricity – and with the rapid population growth, the energy demand continues to rise. The decisions made today will shape the continent’s energy system for decades to come.
This is precisely where the strength of solar energy becomes apparent: it can be deployed in a decentralised, rapid, and cost-effective manner, reaching exactly where it is needed most—schools, health centres, and small businesses.
How Solafrica makes climate protection effective
Solafrica combines climate protection with social impact in its diverse projects:
- Reduce CO₂ in concrete terms: The installed solar system replaces fossil fuels and avoids long-term emissions.
- Building local strength: knowledge, skills and responsibility are created in the project regions, which continue to have an impact long after we are no longer on site.
- Create opportunities: young people and women in particular are gaining real prospects for a self-determined life through training and new opportunities in the solar sector.
Climate protection works where it empowers people. Experience how climate protection and social impact come together in our projects.
Insight into our projects
Kenya
Women in Kenya are learning solar technology and creating new independence for themselves. With their knowledge, they are bringing light into their communities and opening up new opportunities.
Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo
Solar power brings light to rural health centres, which are often the first port of call for women and children in particular. This makes medical help safer – especially for births and emergencies at night.
Ethiopia
Young adults in Ethiopia are building their own future by training in solar technology. They supply schools, health centers and villages with sustainable energy.