Renewable energy coordinator receives GWC award

The award, which is intended to recognise, celebrate and encourage the noble work of exemplary women leaders who are committed to the global advancement of women, was given to her prior to International Women’s Day.Annika Markovic, fellow co-leader of the CCAC and Sweden’s ambassador to the OECD, while commenting on the award, said Bahijjahtu is […]

The award, which is intended to recognise, celebrate and encourage the noble work of exemplary women leaders who are committed to the global advancement of women, was given to her prior to International Women’s Day.
Annika Markovic, fellow co-leader of the CCAC and Sweden’s ambassador to the OECD, while commenting on the award, said Bahijjahtu is a committed and innovative leader, adding: “She has an abundance of ideas on how to forward women’s issues, and she makes sure that the work we do in the CCAC is delivered on the ground.”
However, during the CCAC’s second anniversary, Bahijjahtu celebrated the CCAC as a “Coalition of the Working” and wrote: “We must consider ourselves fortunate to be part of a movement that is creating awareness that reducing short-lived climate pollutants is important not only to climate but also to development – to the environment, health and economic empowerment.”
She noted that the CCAC is “providing clean cooking to over 70 million Nigerians without clean cook stoves.”  
Helena Molin Valdes, head of the Coalition Secretariat and long time United Nations executive said Bahijjahtu is an inspiration for the Coalition and to herself.
She added: “She is always seeking to anchor our work in the benefits of people and empowering women. She has pioneered work to develop clean cook stoves and energy efficiency, and to reduce black carbon pollution to improve the health of women and children. She is also a great advocate for turning oil and gas methane leaks and flaring into energy alternatives for households. We have been lucky to have her as a co-chair of our Coalition.”
Of note is the fact that the CCAC is guided by three women, including Bahijjahtu, Markovic and Helena Molin Valdes.
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is a partnership of governments, intergovernmental organisations, private sector, environmental community and other members of civil society. The Coalition is government-led but highly cooperative and voluntary.