Parallel and Side Events Contents Page

Global Village Energy Partnership

Presented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Susan McDade, UNDP, announced that the Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) will be officially launched at the WSSD. Dominique Lallement, the World Bank, and Judith Siegel, Energy and Security Group, explained the goals and aims of the GVEP.

Lallement presented successful examples of providing energy services to local communities in Chile, Uganda and Sri Lanka, which demonstrate that energy access can improve people's lives, when there is commitment and collaboration.

Siegel explained that the GVEP is a ten-year partnership that builds upon existing experiences and aims to bring together governments, public and private sector partners, donors and other stakeholders to ensure access to modern energy services by the poor. The five major areas of the GVEP are: action plans; capacity development, especially as it relates to locally active entrepreneurs and consumer organizations; funding facilitation, including training local bankers and providing upfront seed capital; knowledge management; and monitoring and evaluation of the results and the impacts of the energy service on poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Abeeku Brew-Hammond, Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment (KITE), explained how non-governmental organizations, like KITE, can contribute to the GVEP. KITE undertakes policy studies and enterprise development activities in Ghana. Brew-Hammond described KITE's Multifunctional Platform Programme (MPP), which assists small enterprises in establishing themselves in local communities by providing them with a simple diesel engine that has diverse applications. He said that, with its partners' support, KITE could provide an input into the GVEP by: developing a national MPP programme; implementing participatory feasibility studies; training women's groups; and monitoring and evaluating results.

Adelia Branco, Brazil, presented a successful women's initiative on community water pumping in the Amazon, Brazil, and noted that these experiences might be beneficial for the GVEP.

Energy and sustainable development in Africa

Presented by the Energy and Development Research Centre (EDRC), the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California, and the Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment (KITE)

Abdoulie Janneh, UNDP, underscored the need to address access to energy in fighting poverty, and called for increased investment in the field.

Jayant Sathaye, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, addressed the challenge of sustainable energy, and advocated a move towards higher energy efficiency. He called for policies that: create an enabling environment; mobilize additional investment; and develop human and organizational capacity.

Ogunlade Davidson, University of Cape Town, noted that while Africa is rich in both renewable and non-renewable energy sources, only 17% of Africans have access to electricity. He called for up- to-date technologies to avoid pollution, and stressed the importance of subsidized energy in rural areas.

Njeri Wamukonya, UNEP, criticized the fact that most models for power sector reform advocate privatization without addressing access to electricity, and said that most investment in the energy sector is controlled by private companies and is export oriented. She stressed that renewable energy technologies must contribute to poverty reduction.

Youba Sokona, Environmental Development Action in the Third World (ENDA), called for: scaling up best practices; reducing time lags between policy conceptualization and implementation; widening access to cleaner fossil fuels; energizing rural areas; mobilizing energy investment; and strengthening government and energy institutions.

Abeeku Brew-Hammond, KITE, presented a knowledge network for energy in Africa which: identifies knowledge gaps and available resources; increases knowledge exchange; and makes data on energy in Africa available to decision makers.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, South African Minister of Minerals and Energy, supported the development of hydropower dams, and stated that women's energy needs should be addressed.

Discussion: Participants discussed, inter alia: armed conflict as an obstacle to sustainable development; hydropower development; liberalization of electricity sectors; climate change; governance in the energy sector; and energizing rural areas.

Significant issues in energy and sustainable development

Presented by Helio International, the NGO Energy and Climate Caucus, the World Energy Council Centre of Developing Renewable Energies (CDER), the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the International Network for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE)

At this event, governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations gave their perspectives on significant issues relating to energy and sustainable development.

Abdelhanine Benallou, CDER, stressed the importance of electricity supply for revenue-generating activities to reduce poverty, particularly in rural areas. He stated that renewable energy is key to achievingsustainable energy supply in rural areas that lack connection to electricity grids, and stressed that countries should set their own goals regarding renewable energy.

Helene Connor and Emile Tanawa, Helio International, noted the role of Sustainable Energy Watch in providing independent reports on energy consumption and development. Regarding global trends, Connor and Tanawa: emphasized that development should not be dependent on increased energy use; noted that rural electrification is progressing slowly in developing countries; and highlighted increasing dependence on fossil fuels. Connor and Tanawa stressed that the poorest people pay the highest prices for energy.

Fatih Birol, IEA, identified heavy reliance on traditional biomass use as a "hallmark of poverty," and noted that in absence of radical new policies, 1.4 billion people will continue to lack access to electricity in 2030. He highlighted the correlation between lack of electricity access and poverty, and called for: creating conditions to attract investment; investing in a range of energy sources, including in efficient use of biomass; and the application of renewable energy technologies in rural areas.

Gunnar Olesen, Danish Organization for Renewable Energy, proposed a global phase out of fossil fuels within 50 years, by: achieving transition to renewable energy sources; increasing energy efficiency; and reducing consumption. Noting a study on the energy sector in Denmark, he stressed the cost-effectiveness of a shift towards a sustainable energy system.

Raymond Myles, Integrated Sustainable Energy and Ecological Development Association, suggested addressing challenges of energy access, poverty and environmental degradation through use of household biomass technologies. He suggested addressing energy supply in an integrated manner, and advocated capacity building.

Andre de Moor, NGO Energy and Climate Caucus, noted that most energy subsidies target fossil fuels, and called for a global partnership on energy subsidy reform that aims to phase out energy subsidies. He stressed that although subsidies aim to promote economic growth, they often fail to do so, and called for improved subsidy transparency.

Antonio del Rosario, World Energy Council, emphasized the importance of access to renewable energy in rural areas, and stressed the need for affordable energy.

Energy and climate change

Presented by the Secretariat of the Rio Conventions Exhibit

This event addressed the possible role of renewable energy sources (RES) in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Christopher Flavin, WorldWatch Institute, noted that the Kyoto Protocol is a first step to foster renewable energy sources and reduce GHG emissions. He highlighted a global reduction in coal subsidies and gradual de-carbonization of the economy. He stated that the increase in wind power energy supply results from policies adopted in selected countries, which: encourage the development of new technologies for RES; reduce fossil fuel subsidies; and stabilize pricing systems. Flavin stressed the important role of governments, especially in developing countries, in fostering transfer of RES technology and creating markets and jobs. He said that a WSSD target for renewable energy would help increase world sustainable energy.

Godfrey Boyle, the Open University, highlighted the progress made since the Stockholm Conference in promoting RES, especially solar power, and the need for ambitious targets. Boyle explained that the majority of RES derive from solar power that can be used: directly, for heating and electricity generation; and indirectly, in forms of biofuels, hydro, wind and wave power. He noted that solar power produces close to no GHG emissions and has an equitable global distribution.

Boyle further stressed that RES costs are decreasing and that more investment would increase the solar power production and further reduce cost. He highlighted that wind power can be cheaper than electricity generated by coal-fired or nuclear power plants, and that, in the UK wind turbines have become tourist attractions. He noted that some European countries have established voluntary targets for generating renewable electricity. He noted the possibility of solar energy being responsible for 100 percent of the world electricity power by 2100.

Discussion: Participants addressed: countries' resistance to shift from traditional to renewable energy services due to costs involved; the role of multinational corporation in promoting renewable energy technologies to developing countries; and WSSD proposals for RES targets.

The EU energy initiative for poverty eradication and sustainable development

Presented by the Danish Presidency of the EU

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Danish Prime Minister and President of the EU, advocated combating poverty through promoting sustainable economic growth, furthering free trade and market access, and increasing development assistance to reach the 0.7% GNP target. He explained that the EU energy initiative would engage in partnerships with developing countries that demonstrate good governance and political will to address poverty.

Poul Nielson, EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Assistance, suggested raising the profile of energy in development cooperation programmes. He advocated cost-efficient provision of environmentally friendly energy as a key to poverty alleviation, and underscored the role of partnerships in implementing multilateral decisions.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, South African Minister of Minerals and Energy, noted the lack of energy in rural areas, and stressed that inappropriate energy provision may cause expense to poor people.

Bikenibereu Paeniu, Tuvalu Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Industry, noted the pacific islands' challenging conditions to providing energy access, and advocated the use of renewable energy.

José Goldemberg, Brazil, underscored the need for a mandatory target on renewable energy, and highlighted the potential of modern use of biomass.

Brem Lal Singh, Nepalese Minister of Environment, noted the potential of developing hydropower in Nepal, called for capacity building, and emphasized institutional reform to attract private investment.

Suvi-Anne Siimes, Finnish Minister for International Development, stressed that access to energy is key to developing other sectors, and called for increased private sector investment.

Wilhelm Molterer, Austrian Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, advocated the WSSD to adopt a strong target on renewable energy, and stated that implementation of political commitments are best achieved through partnerships.

Olivier Deleuze, Belgium, noted the negative effects of climate change, and stressed the need for renewable and affordable energy.

Klaus Töpfer, UNEP Executive Director, noted that promoting renewable energy should be coupled with the promotion of cleaner fossil fuels and reduced energy reduction.

Yaa Ntiamoa-Badu, WWF, highlighted the negative impacts of climate change on developing countries, advocated to focus on renewable energy, and proposed a list of principles for implementing the EU energy initiative.

Rodney Chase, British Petroleum, underscored the industry sector's commitment to provide energy for rural poor people.

Mats Karlsson, the World Bank, stated that energy is a prerequisite for job creation and poverty reduction, and highlighted access to energy as core in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Jørgen Henningsen, European Commission, underscored the need to ensure ownership by partner developing countries in the EU energy initiative, and emphasized long-term cooperation with stakeholders.

Discussion: The Danish EU Presidency clarified that nuclear power is not part of the EU energy initiative.

German prospects for renewable energy

Presented by the government of Germany

Ludger Lorych, Germany, noted Germany's goals of doubling the proportion of renewable energy by 2010, and obtaining half of Germany's entire energy supply by 2050. He identified wind, biogas and solar energy as renewable energy sources with the highest potential, and noted that Germany's strategy for promoting renewable energy is based on research, investment support and energy acts. Lorych called for holistic calculations of the economic benefits of renewable energy, and explained that the German ecological tax reform internalizes external costs into an additional tax. He presented an energy scenario for Germany that would reduce German greenhouse gas emissions by 80% through: fading out of nuclear and coal energy sources; and promoting biomass, wind and solar energy.

Franz Trieb, German Aerospace Center, presented a range of technologies that concentrate solar energy to produce power, including: parabolic through-flow systems; solar tower systems; and parabolic dish engines. He highlighted the suitability of parabolic dish systems to supply energy for households and production units in remote areas. Trieb stated that the cost of renewable energy technologies will approximate those of fossil fuel technology within 10 years, and called for collaborative efforts by investors and governments to make investments in renewable energy feasible in the short term. He explained that the uneven global distribution of solar energy suggests exporting solar energy from developing to developed countries.

Discussion: Participants addressed: transportation of solar energy; production of hydrogen from solar energy; and energy demand for production of solar power plants.