Climate change is real. It is also overwhelming to many: what do I do, where do I start? In the time of fake news and social media rabbit holes, it’s never been more important to understand the facts. Energy Trilemma Index provides these facts by ranking countries on three competing aspects: energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability.

Climate change is real. It is also overwhelming to many – what do I do, where do I start? In the time of fake news and social media rabbit holes, it’s never been more important to understand the facts. It’s one of 

 of the World Energy Council (Improving energy literacy, involving more people, enabling just transition) and one of the three main purposes of the 

 (learning about climate change, connecting knowledge, creating solutions). But a collection of facts is not enough – we also need principles and useful frameworks to guide our actions as citizens and private individuals. The 

Energy Trilemma Index is an index released each year by the World Energy Council, ranking countries on three competing aspects: energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability. It’s a tool used by and aimed at policy makers, energy leaders and investors to manage the energy transition effectively. But its usefulness is not limited to professionals – citizens can and should put it to work, too. Here’s the guide to get you started.

To understand how Trilemma can be used to assess and discuss energy transition actions, one needs to understand its three dimensions. Once you know the basics, you can apply the Trilemma framework in a variety of ways, be it on an individual level - discussions with friends, family or colleagues - or broader, through community activism, lobbying governments, and others.

The first index dimension, energy security, is the ability to continuously meet current and future demand. It covers the effectiveness, reliability and resilience of energy infrastructure, energy source and supply chain management. Essentially it means – will you get energy when you turn on the switch, every time, regardless of circumstances? It’s important as we need energy to keep society running and generate wealth, whether it’s for individuals to conduct their everyday life at home, factories to make goods, companies to power offices or haulers to transport goods.

Take examples of renewable energy such as solar, wind or hydro. They can be subject to weather conditions – thereby reducing energy security. To secure energy supply, some countries are planning to keep using 

. However, combining renewables with energy storage would be the more sustainable way to provide energy security. Although historically more expensive, reducing costs have led it to become 

economically competitive in different locations

. Let’s not forget that fossil fuels also have their energy security issues: in 2021 the 

UK experienced petrol stations running out of fuel

. This brings us to the next competing element: energy equity.

Energy equity is the ability to provide abundant, affordable, and accessible energy for all domestic and commercial users. In many countries, increasing energy prices mean poorer communities are hit the hardest, no longer able to afford a fair standard of living or transport to their place of work. This increases inequality and reduces fairness, thus reducing equity. Equity is affected by base cost, tax, demand, and distribution. In the case of base cost, existing fossil fuel infrastructure may make renewables more costly in the short term. This is situational: in many cases solar is already the most financially attractive energy to consider for new installations; 

with costs having decreased 85% from 2010 to 2020

. Increasing investment in solar will only further its advantage: with the US Department of Energy’s investment program plans to 

Energy equity is still a major issue around the world with 

the richest 10% of the world creating 50% of the global CO2 emissions

 from their fossil fuel consumption, and with 

13% of the world having no access to electricity at all

. Off-grid fossil fuels have been used in some places to create access: with almost 

80% of Canada’s rural remote communities electricity coming from diesel generators

Environmental sustainability, is defined as the ability to mitigate and avoid negative environmental impacts. Typically there are two ways to become more environmentally sustainable: reducing consumption and switching energy sources. In the case of energy, environmental damage caused by fossil fuels is directly linked to the amount of fossil fuels consumed (burning fuels creates energy). If you use less energy, you burn less fossil fuels and thus release less emissions and have less environmental damage.

Each energy source has its own set of environmental effects. Burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal or natural gas releases greenhouse gases. This creates climate change and worsens air pollution: with oil releasing less emissions than coal and natural gas releasing less emissions than either. 

 may seem like an environmentally friendly alternative to landfill but it actually releases more carbon dioxide and causes more pollution than fossil fuels. Burning biomass such as wood also releases these gases (in addition to potential contribution to deforestation) but is classified as renewable because trees can be regrown in relatively short time and it doesn’t release more carbon dioxide than it absorbed during its growth. Zero emissions in theory, but real emissions in practice. It would be more environmentally sustainable to not release any gases at all. This is the case for solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower as they don’t combust fuels or release any gases that contribute to climate change and air pollution. These sources are also renewable as the energy source can replenish itself in a short time. In other words, with good management you won’t run out of sunlight or wind or the earth’s heat or the water’s flow.

How can you apply the Trilemma for citizens action effectively?

Now that you know what the three Trilemma aspects are, you can assess any energy transition related questions or ideas by ranking it in the three dimensions. The better the outcome in each aspect, the better the overall score, or ranking. Let’s take an example of how you can use the Trilemma in practice.

You want to take climate action but are not sure how. So you go to the 

 for inspiration and decide to focus on choosing the best transport mode for your family. You assess the options suggested by the Climate Pact using the logic of the Trilemma Index.

Energy equity is about you having access to affordable energy. Your commute is too long for you to walk or cycle. You have good access to affordable car-sharing, car-pooling (with 3 others) and driving alone in your own car. Car-sharing and driving your own car cost a similar amount. Car-pooling is significantly cheaper than both. You can also take the bus which is comparable in price to driving your own car.

Energy security is about you reliably having the energy when you need it. On car sharing platforms, the cars are sometimes sold-out - you can’t always rely on them to make your commute. Buses always run as planned so it has just as high security as driving alone. Car-pooling (with 3 others) is slightly less secure as you have to account for other people. However, this is manageable as the people you are car-pooling with are either in your household or living closeby and always make the same commute.

Environmental sustainability is about the amount of negative impact your energy use makes on the environment. Car-pooling has lower emissions than taking the bus and much lower emissions than driving alone or car-sharing* (which is also driving alone, just in someone else’s car).


This graph refers to British measures and these could change from a country to another.

Using the logic of the Trilemma you make the commitment to switch to car-pooling instead of driving alone. It’s the best option as it’s actually the most environmentally sustainable and the most energy equitable (in this case the cheapest), which outweighs the fact it’s less energy secure (reliable) when compared to driving alone or taking the bus.

 that you can connect with to join an existing discussion or share knowledge. If you are looking to create a discussion it has an initiative called 

 running until the end of January 2022 which provides the framework and information to discuss with the people around you as well as giving you the opportunity to submit the ideas generated in your circle directly to the EU Commission. The Pact has information on climate actions of the EU and contact details of people to get in touch with to comment on these actions or suggest other actions. Local governments may also give opportunities to engage as they play their role in fulfilling the promises of the European Green Deal and EU Climate Pact. For instance, in the Netherlands they are creating 

 – an energy transition roadmapwhich involves local public participation.

In the end the real change comes not only from understanding and talking but from action. The ideas generated can be hypothetically tested against the Trilemma to understand their effectiveness. Not all actions are one aspect of the trilemma against the other aspect, though. Some are win-win-win. For instance, an individual action to reduce your consumption by turning off appliances when you are not using them or using public transport would increase energy equity (by reducing demand and thus energy price), increase environmental sustainability (by reducing fossil fuel consumption and thus carbon emissions) and increase energy security (by reducing the demand and thus increasing the ability to continuously meet that demand).

Once you have come up with your action, there’s still a gap before it’s done. Actions are more likely to succeed if you tell people, as it will increase your accountability. The EU Climate Pact has the facility to receive and publish your pledges to do just this and help achieve more climate action.

As both a World Energy Council Future Energy Leader (personally co-author of Energy Trilemma) and a EU Climate Pact Ambassador, I call on you to join me in creating a just energy transition to fight climate change and ensure a liveable, equitable future for us all.

Future Thought Leaders is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of rising Energy & Sustainability writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.

The Energy Trilemma, citizen’s action and the EU Climate Pact

This article is based on the speech given by Thaddeus Anim-Somuah at the Ariel Foundation International & United Nations Summit on Energy and Environment in 2021 and debunks five myths pertaining to the solar potential of the African continent.

Thaddeus Anim-Somuah

Africa is commonly referred to as the Sun continent.  It’s a fact that it’s the place where the Sun shines the most.  The Sun is the source of life on earth and East Africa alone has enough solar potential to power the whole world, with Sudan having a solar potential of 87.8 trillion kWh.  Almost all countries in Africa have solar potentials above the highest in Europe.  Despite this, European countries with far less solar potential such as Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and France are generating more solar energy than any African country. Africa is sitting on an untapped goldmine.  At the same time, 50% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity.  75% of the people without access to electricity in the world live in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Sub-Saharan Africa is in the heart of darkness.  This darkness forces poverty, with 40% of Sub-Saharan Africa living under the poverty line of 2 US$ per day.  People can’t work effectively without energy. People can’t live comfortably without energy. Steam power and water power created the first industrial revolution. Electricity created the second revolution.  Energy is and always has been the key to prosperity.  Africa’s energy can and must come from the sun.  The evidence in the favor of solar potential is overwhelming yet, the progress in African deployment of solar remains slow. We need to change this and dispel the myths that are holding Africa back.

Fossil Fuels may be much cheaper for many developed countries but it is factually incorrect that it is much cheaper for all of Africa. In fact, a 2011 report by the EU Commission into Renewable Energies in Africa compared the solar power to off-grid diesel (two main alternatives particularly for rural Africa) and found that Solar Power was already cheaper than off-grid diesel for the majority of Africa.


Since then Solar photovoltaic (PV) costs have exceeded all projections (IEA, IRENA, etc.) and dropped by 80%.  It continues to drop as the technology becomes more mature, meaning that Solar is financially the most attractive energy technology to invest for Africa.

Governments have many economic priorities such as health, crime, political stability that they can often prioritize above energy.  However it is false that energy isn’t the big issue.  A 2012 World Bank Group Report into Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Africa showed electricity as the biggest constraint to Manufacturing.   I’m proud to say Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced that he will stop selling cocoa to Switzerland as it’s exploiting Ghana, enforcing poverty by paying low prices for cocoa and doing value added activities outside of Ghana. If we want more value-added activities to be done in Ghana, such as in the case of cocoa - we will need energy to power the machines, energy to regulate the temperatures, etc. Industry creates jobs, creates infrastructure, creates tax revenues. Without energy we can’t grow industry and so we can’t lift people out of poverty. Energy is the big issue.

Myth 3: It’s impossible due to lack of infrastructure and expertise

Technical Expertise will be needed to develop, build, operate and maintain solar power. Likewise, infrastructure will be needed to make solar power accessible to the right people at the right time. However, it’s not true that the infrastructure and expertise must come before the technology.  We have living proof of the middle east which had no existing expertise or infrastructure when it discovered oil & gas and it developed these simultaneously to create cities of prosperity such as Dubai and Doha.

Myth 4: Renewables are riskier than Fossil Fuels

A common fable is that renewables are riskier because they are susceptible to changing weather conditions, in the case of sun and wind.  However this doesn’t take into account the risk of the whole supply chain.  The recent energy crisis in Europe, with soaring gas prices shows that Fossil fuels are also vulnerable to lack of availability.  A 2021 UK Case study by IChemE found that Solar energy had the least risk and Oil & Gas had the most risk when considering the full supply chain.


Myth 5: Africa can’t afford solar energy

Africa is poor, with 40% of Sub-Saharan Africa living under the poverty line of 2 US$ per day but that isn’t a reason that it can’t afford solar energy.  That is a reason why it needs to invest in solar energy.  Not investing in energy of any sort would be condemning its citizen to continue to live in the dark, in poverty; without hope in the form of job opportunities. Investing in energy is breaking the cycle of poverty, to transform, to revolutionize…just as in the 1st and 2nd industrial revolution. Energy empowers prosperity for everyone. So the only real choice is whether Africa invests in fossil fuels or invest renewables.   The UN research shows that almost all of Africa is already dry or at moderate to very high risk of becoming dry.  Fossil fuels are known to cause climate change; choosing fossil fuels would also be condemning African citizens to the consequences of fossil fuel emissions, which will be felt hardest in Africa.  So although some may say Africa can’t afford solar, the real truth is that Africa can’t afford not to invest in solar.


Recommendations: Steps to Finance the Bright Future

Prioritize invest in Solar Energy in National Budgets

Cooperate with Wealthier countries to secure investments

Engage the diaspora for access to finance and expertise

Empower Charity: create foundations that promote and facilitate donations from individuals globally towards African solar energy

The solar potential of the African continent is undeniable, yet still it is untapped.  Africa should choose to embrace solar energy as the key to its prosperity and choose to do so immediately.  It can’t afford not to and there’s no compelling reasons not to. So it’s only a matter of overcoming barriers such as finance to create a bright future.

The Sun – Africa’s Key to Prosperity

As of September 2021: more than 30 countries, amounting to over 1 billion people, have declared a climate emergency. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report has stated that climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying; the UN Secretary General has said it's a "code red for humanity" and there has been an unprecedented amount of damage done by climate disasters around the world. All evidence points to an existential threat and that brings many to the question: how to get out of it?

As of September 2021: more than 30 countries, amounting to over 1 billion people, have declared a climate emergency. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report has stated that climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying; the UN Secretary General has said it's a "code red for humanity" and there has been an unprecedented amount of damage done by climate disasters around the world. All evidence points to an existential threat and that brings many to the question: how to get out of it? Actually, it's not that complicated – it never has been – the IPCC has sketched several scenarios in which we reach Netzero by 2050 to avoid the greatest consequences of global warming. Other organisations, such as the International Energy Agency, have also created pathways. We have known about the climate emergency and crucial actions to take against it for at least 15 years. That's why the UN adopted the Kyoto Protocol 1997. That’s why the Paris Agreement was introduced in 2015, after failure to deliver the promises from Kyoto. Global emissions have only continued to increase. So the key question isn't how but who? My answer is: you, me and everyone, together.

Climate Change doesn't care about governments or companies. It doesn't recognise borders and it doesn't distribute itself based on history. There is no fairness or responsibility attribution. We are all in this together, whether we like it or not. So we all have to change together or we will all face the consequences. While many may not appreciate the idea of placing the burden on the individual citizen and would rather continue to entrust that to corporations and governments – I see no other way. As an individual you don't have the power or the finance to build a renewable electricity grid or make a factory carbon neutral - the governments and corporations will still be the ones to take that action. But we must be the ones who make them take it. Their power and finance doesn't appear in a vacuum, rather it is created by the individual citizen.

How do I make the government take climate action?

The power of governments comes from the votes on election day and public pressure everyday. To make a change you need to engage. Voting is the starting point but it doesn’t end there. Understanding the policies and proposals in your community, region or country and how these will affect the long-term future can enable you to form your opinion, voice it and ultimately use it to shape policy through pressure. Governments serve the people – a potential major contributor to the previous inaction is perceived lack of societal support or pressure. It seems to be more than just a perception – a CATO study from 2019 found 68% of 

Americans Wouldn’t Pay $10 a Month in Higher Electric Bills to Combat Climate Change

. Long term thinking is crucial, as not spending is only a procrastination and escalation of the issue. The money spent now to reduce climate change is far less than the money we will need if we ignore the issue. Every flood, every forest fire, hurricane or drought costs local governments the money we can’t afford.

What do I need to do make industry sustainable?

For corporations their power comes from the customers’ purchases and the value created by their employees. Anyone can change any company by becoming a conscious consumer. Every penny you spend is a vote and an investment in the whole supply chain of the product. You can choose to invest sustainably - sometimes this will cost more and sometimes this will be a little less convenient. Just as with governments it's about short term sacrifice on the things you decide in order to prevent long term damage that you will not control. One way of being a conscious consumer is using the 5R's of circular economy as a guiding principle: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle. For example, with Rethink, an outfit you wanted to wear for one party could come from your friend’s closet. When consumers live these 

, the industry will be forced to adapt because in the end companies are about making money.

You can also change the organisation you work for, from the inside, so that they don't wait for new consumer behaviour or legislation. The success of an organisation is generated by the services and products which are provided and/or created by the employees. As employees you can pressure organisations to change; you can propose the ways in which the organisation can become more sustainable and ultimately you can choose to work for companies that act in line with sustainable values.

What we need is urgent action and not an act. Sustainability must become our way of life, reflected in every day, in every choice.

Energy Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Energy & Sustainability writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.

Who's going to Save us from the Climate Emergency?

Thaddeus Anim-Somuah is an Executive Board Member at the 

European Federation of Chemical Engineering

. Besides, he is an EU Commission Climate Pact 

You can’t miss it!

Thaddeus Anim-Somuah

Thaddeus Anim-Somuah

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