In an interview with CNN, former U.N. Secretary-General and Nobel Prize laureate Kofi Annan urged Africa to adopt green energy and avoid polluting options on the road to prosperity. He also warned that while Africa contributes very little to climate change, it will face the greatest impacts.

As a member of the Africa Progress Panel, Annan works to further the organization’s promotion of equitable and sustainable development across the continent. Annan recently called for increased investment in Africa’s energy to maximize its potential as a global low-carbon superpower.

…we should debunk the idea that you cannot have green energy and development at the same time.

In a recent interview with CNN’s Rosie Tomkins, Annan discussed his ideas for Africa’s energy future.

Kofi Annan: I believe that we should debunk the idea that you cannot have green energy and development at the same time. Greening the economy can have an impact as important as the industrial revolution. Africa does have a rich mix of energy resources and should make a judicious judgment as we go forward. I think in the short term they should be able to use a mix of oil, gas, coal — if you wish — to thermal and hydro but in the longer term they should be aiming for green energy. But we also need help from our international partners.

CNN: That is of course your new area and greatest challenge, to get a binding agreement globally.

KA: Africa has done very little to pollute our world, but we will pay the highest price. Therefore, we have a critical interest in a solid viable agreement that will help us contain CO2 emissions. I think the African leaders are aware of this and I hope for the sake of justice, or climate justice, all the leaders realize this and understand that it is not only them but those at the other end who are at greater peril.

CNN: What is going to be the key in Africa particularly? Solar is obvious but expensive, with huge upfront costs to get it off the ground.

KA: I think geothermal is taking hold. However, given the size of the continent and the size of its needs, I think that hydro is also viable. But solar is becoming cheaper and cheaper; it can be a very effective solution. And you can imagine a situation where Africa succeeds in moving in the path of green and renewable energy.