Global conference backs 200 actions

BONN, Germany, 2004-07-07 (Refocus Weekly)

Almost 200 action items to support renewables are contained in the International Action Programme adopted at the recent international conference on renewables in Germany.

Governments, international organizations, financial institutions, corporations, associations and non-government groups responded to the appeal from the German government for contributions that would confirm willingness to promote renewables in coming years. Germany's major contribution was the special fund announced by chancellor Gerhard Schröder that would provide Euro 500 million for renewables and energy efficiency, and which supplements the Euro 1 billion pledged in Johannesburg in 2002. From 2005 to 2010, Germany will provide low-interest loans for investments in developing countries, and the country also committed to increase (through its Renewable Energy Sources Act) the share of green power to 20% by 2020.

“The many concrete contributions to the Action Programme will mobilise billions in investments for generating more energy from wind, solar power, biomass and geothermal energy worldwide,” says federal environment minister Jürgen Trittin. “The goal is an energy system which places equal emphasis on both climate protection and development opportunities.”

Actions include the agreement from the Global Environment Facility to support the increased use of renewables in developing countries with US$100 million per year to lever total annual investments of $500 to $600 million, as well as goals for the increased use of renewables. More than 20 countries specified 194 goals, such as China’s commitment to generate 10% of its electricity by 2010 from solar power, wind and small hydro stations.

Other countries which made contributions to the program include Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Congo, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, European Commission, Finland, France, Gambia, Guatemala, Iceland, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam and Yemen.

The International Conference for Renewable Energies (renewables 2004) was held from June 1 to 4 in Bonn, and attracted 3,600 participants from 154 countries, 30 international organizations and various stakeholder groups.


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