Children’s books offer first step to energy literacy

A Commonwealth book series about sustainable energy is now available online with limited print editions, for school-aged children to learn more about how energy systems work, their role in people's daily lives and why the transition to low carbon solutions is important.

Written by author Allan Drummond and produced by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the vibrantly illustrated books encourage young readers (ages 7 to 12) to find out how they can be part of the change in the way the world produces and uses energy.

The set of three titles - 'Roadmap to Clean Energy', 'Energy and Me' and 'Energy Around Us' - were on display this week at the Sustainable Energy For All (SEforAll) Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.

Jeremiah Thoronka and Delicia Mwanyika, two Commonwealth youth leaders in the sustainable energy sector, presenting the books at the Commonwealth stand at the SEforAll Forum in Rwanda

While sharing the books with participants at the SEforAll Forum, project lead and Legal Adviser at the Ocean and Natural Resource Section of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Alache Fisho, said:

"We are so thrilled to be sharing these books to a wider audience since their launch at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. With more than 60 percent of Commonwealth population under the age of 30, the Commonwealth is committed to investing in young people and placing them at the centre of sustainable and inclusive development.

"Young people who will be most impacted by the effects of climate change need to understand the nature and role of energy in the world and in their daily lives. Our hope is that these books help build their knowledge and awareness to participate in the global discourse on the energy transition."

CSET Agenda

The initiative is part of a wider effort to fast-track an inclusive, just and equitable transition to low-carbon energy systems across the Commonwealth, under the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) Agenda.

Country-led action groups, to be announced at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali next month, will drive initiatives under the CSET Agenda, focusing on three pillars of action: Inclusive Transitions; Technology and Innovation; and Enabling Frameworks.

It is expected that one of the action groups will focus on enhancing energy literacy among children, youth and local communities as an important tool for raising awareness about the societal changes needed to achieve a just and inclusive energy transition.

Read the books and learn more about CSET

Media contact

• Josephine Latu-Sanft Senior Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
• +44 20 7747 6476 | E-mail