New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Inspiring clean energy initiatives in the Global South
16/7/2025
8 min read
Feature
Finalists in the 2025 Ashden Awards give a unique insight into what is being done to cut emissions and tackle climate threats across the world. Here we highlight outstanding initiatives, mostly in the Global South, by innovators from the public, private and non-profit sectors, and the lessons that can be learned by their example. New Energy World Features Editor Brian Davis reports.
‘Be the change’ is not an empty phrase, even in these volatile geopolitical times. ‘For 25 years, the Ashden Awards have championed climate solutions that improve lives and build a fairer and safer future,’ remarked Ashden CEO Ashok Sinha at the prestigious Ashden Awards ceremony in June.
What this means in practice is supporting challenging projects, often in very difficult and remote locations, to introduce clean energy, more sustainable buildings and transport, along with decarbonisation of schools and health facilities, while also protecting natural environments.
It’s a wide agenda, broadly matched to UN Sustainable Development Goals. And it is no coincidence to find that significant health improvement goes hand-in-hand with imaginative micro-finance initiatives and technological innovation, as well as upskilling of individuals and rural communities, and improvement of gender balance with support of women in particular, in the face of very challenging circumstances.