Speaking at the TIME Earth Awards in London, the honoree called on the world “not to forget” the Global South, and its contributions worldwide. “The Global South is driving innovation and transformation and by 2050 will represent 86% of the world’s population and will account for 60% of global energy demand,” Ogunbiyi noted. 

That demand, she said, comes in tandem with large-scale development and the ambitions of the young generation. “What gives me hope is that we are living through one of the greatest transformations in human history,” Ogunbiyi said when asked about her hopes for the planet’s future. “The transition from an energy system built on extraction and pollution to one built on renewal and regeneration.”

“What gives me hope is that we have a young generation actively fighting for our planet and the right to have energy to live a dignified life,” said Ogunbiyi. “We are witnessing a collective awakening that things must be done differently, for the sake of our people, but also the sake of our planet.”

The historical reliance on fossil fuels is cause for concern for Ogunbiyi. But the current energy transition fuels that optimism. “The world is changing, and the energy transition and green growth agenda, frankly, cannot be stopped. In most parts of the world, it is the most economically viable option,” she said.

In a number of countries, Ogunbiyi noted significant progress is already being made towards clean energy alternatives with what she described as “remarkable momentum.” Some countries, including Bhutan, Nepal, and Paraguay, are almost powered entirely by renewable energy, she said. Kenya is also well on its way to joining them, with more than 90% of its grid running on clean energy.

“My home country Nigeria is currently implementing one of the largest distributed renewable energy programs the world has ever seen,” Ogunbiyi noted.

But more work still remains.

For Ogunbiyi, the next step is securing more funding for the energy transition. “We now have all the technology needed; what remains is to mobilize capital and channel funding to where it is needed the most,” she said.

“We are truly on track to transform the world and I can confidently say that the clean energy transition is our generation’s moonshot,” said the U.N. Special Representative. But making that transformation, she stressed, “demands courage, collaboration and determination.”