Monique Motty is a climate expert who is a member of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC), a body under the UN Climate Change process. As one of the TEC's Gender Focal Point, Monique is tasked with supporting the TEC in mainstreaming gender into its work. She is also a board member of the World Energy Council’s Future Energy Leader program, with vast experience of working in the Developing World.

When did you first get interested in climate change and the environment?

I grew up in Montreal and my interest in environmental issues was triggered by family holidays to the Congo, my parents’ native country. It was very surprising to witness the paradox of electricity being scarce, while hydro and solar power was abundant. Being exposed to the realities of failed policies and opportunities to implement technological advances, I vowed to dedicate my career to addressing energy access in developing countries and this all led to being introduced to the climate change dilemma which is tied to energy transition.  From the onset, my plan was to obtain a technical degree in Europe where clean energy and climate policy dialogue were the most advanced before bringing this wealth of knowledge to Africa. And so following my graduate studies in energy, environmental technology, and economics in London, I worked for a few years in Brussels for Carbon Markets, a research centre in Venice, in a bioenergy project for a UN agency in Rome,  before setting base in Congo in 2015 and working in various countries on the continent since.

Have you noticed a difference in attitudes towards climate change in past six years there?

Climate change here is now an integral part of development discussions, and no longer seen as a standalone subject in which the continent contributed little to but is one of the most vulnerable. So before advising someone not to cut trees because it is bad for the environment and releases emissions, while selling charcoal is his/her livelihood and source of energy, the general understanding across the continent is that their needs to be a financial compensation and alternative source of energy that can be offered to the ‘’tree-cutter’’. These alternatives are now integrated in national development strategies not only climate action strategies. Additionally, access to climate finance instruments and technology transfer for adaptation are at the forefront of climate negotiators in the continent rather than simple compensation requests as it was pushed in the past. I think that tying global warming with economic development is the most efficient way to push the climate change agenda in Africa as it will promote sustainable economies without impeding on development.

And this highlights the importance of local solutions

I think that was one of the main lessons I learned when I moved from Europe to Africa. I was able to see the importance of considering the cultural realities of the people on the ground in the Developing World when contributing to climate action. After I was in the Congo for a few years, I accepted a consultancy back in Europe, and I wanted to see if I could change the approach at HQ level, given my experience on the ground in Africa. To give just one example, when I started that job, I was asked to contact a few African countries that had never submitted proposals. It turned out that instead of expecting them to communicate by email as it was done prior, while internet and constant electricity is still a luxury in some countries,  I called often, established a human connection by asking first about their families and so on, before diving into the matters at hand as culturally speaking is the best way to interact. Of course, it took more time on my end, but I was able to explain better the program and the benefits for the country’s effort in tackling climate change. As a result, one of those countries, which I had established a good rapport with, submitted nine proposals in a year! We even had to turn some down because of budget constraints. So, all it took was to tweak the approach and contextualize the offering. There are hence different ways to drive action.

What do you mean when we talk about technology and climate change?

It’s important when we talk about climate technology that we keep its local, everyday usage at the centre of things. While installing solar panels in rural areas is great, there is a problem when we do not build local capacity and teach people how to maintain them. Local people might not be able to read instructions which could be in a foreign language, so they might lose interest in the technology as they cannot fix it on their own. This type of technology transfer creates dependency on foreign expertise and does not develop local capacity thereby never enabling locals to appropriate the technology as their own. I have seen solar panels being used as water slides, as they broke down and now kids are using it as a toy. That is a technology transfer failure not to look at the long-term implementation of a technology, the local capacity, and the environment in which it is installed. Investing in local capacity where locals have the financial and technological means to solve the issue is a greater investment for sustainable results in my opinion.

What is the best leadership advice you have heard?

I got a lot of great leadership advice, and I sought out advice as well. I have also experienced bad leaders and that’s how you recognise the good ones. One of my mentors told me to make sure I always provided impact, so when I move on from a position or project, I leave that impact behind. Another good advice I received was ``It’s not what you do, but how you make people feel.” If I am not a pleasant person to be around, that’s what people will remember, more so than the work I delivered.

From your perspective what is needed to allow more women to take on leadership positions in the UN Climate Change process? What would you like to tell the next generation of women leaders?

I think we need to make the Convention accessible so that people can understand it without having to have a technical background. A lot of the discussions we have are highly technical, such as greenhouse gas accounting protocol or a Paris Agreement negotiation, where a ‘but’ or a ‘may’ can be discussed for a whole day under any given article of the convention. So, to make it more inclusive, we should simplify the language when discussing the convention to the general public. I also think women self-eliminate themselves and just don’t go for it, which is part cultural and partly due to the gender roles we have been programmed to take part in. Because I studied in a technical field, I am used to being one of the only girls in the room. But someone who is not accustomed to that might feel intimidated. What is important to remember is that the various perspectives must be represented when negotiating or advocating for climate action because we are all affected. My female counterparts should get involved as our voice is valued.

As a sustainable energy and technology expert, what do you believe is a central element to effective climate change action?

There are many things that people can do in their daily lives. Look at what you eat and how long it took to get to you. If you eat a lot of meat and imported food, you are encouraging emissions. Same goes with your choice of light bulb efficiency or your transport options. Everyone can make an impact by making environmentally friendly choices on a daily basis. Then you can share that choice with others, and they maybe will change their habits, and that is how you create a chain of thought. But first, it starts with your own choices.

Are you optimistic about the future?

I am confident and I think COVID 19 has shown us that the way we live is not sustainable. I think that idea that we must change ties in with everything regarding to climate change: the way we pollute, the way we eat, the way we travel, how far our energy ravels to get to us. all of that has to be reviewed. I think in the long haul, our habits will change in a way that helps the fight against climate change. But in the meantime, we must continue to push for bold actions.