Press Release
ECE/ENE/99/8
Geneva, 19 November 1999
NINTH SESSION OF THE UN/ECE COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
HIGHLIGHTS
The United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) Committee on Sustainable Energy met in
Geneva from 9 to 11 November 1999 to address two critical issues: the sustainability of
energy production and use; and the integration of the energy infrastructure, and energy
economies, of member countries of the UN/ECE. It attracted more than 180 participants from
40 UN/ECE countries, as well as from India, Indonesia, Iran, the Philippines and numerous
international organizations and NGOs.
George Kowalski, Director of the UN/ECE
Energy Division, reminded delegates that "the relationship between the economy and
the environment is complementary and reenforcing. They are two sides of the same coin; a
clean environment and productive resource base are necessary for a healthy economy, and a
strong economy is needed to support high social and environmental standards." He also
stressed that "with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the single most important policy
objective facing Europe today is to prevent new fractures and dividing lines from
reemerging. In this respect, the energy sector was well placed to strengthen the economic
links that bind UN/ECE countries together."
To encourage the implementation of energy
policies that are supportive of sustainable development, the Committee decided to
contribute to the ninth session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. This
Commission provides a global forum for the consideration of sustainability issues under
Agenda 21, agreed to in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The Commission's ninth session in
2001 will be devoted to energy-environment issues. To enrich its contribution, the
Committee on Sustainable Energy agreed to meet at High Level in September 2000 to discuss
the energy sustainability issues of highest priority to the ECE region, and to recommend
related intergovernmental steps for their resolution.
Delegates stressed the important role that
the energy sector and energy policies will have to play in the global transition to a more
sustainable path of development. The main source of air emissions responsible for climate
change, acid rain and ground level smog is the energy sector. Furthermore, energy systems
contribute to the degradation of land and water resources, and nuclear power contributes
to the generation of radioactive wastes that will remain hazardous to humans for thousands
of years. Therefore, the Committee assigned great importance to enhancing energy
efficiency, including through UN/ECE's flagship programme the Energy Efficiency 2000
Project, and to accelerate the implementation of clean coal technologies in order to
improve coal's acceptability as a source of energy.
Participants expressed the hope that no
new fractures or dividing lines, based on economic factors, reemerge in Europe, despite
the difficult economic conditions in many parts of eastern Europe and central Asia. The
economic transition, and the hope for improvement in material well being, is still in many
respects incomplete. Aggregate output levels for most countries with economies in
transition continue to be well below those of 1989, the pre-transition period. Moreover,
income disparities are rising, within countries and across countries in Europe.
With this in mind, the Committee conducted
a review of its programme of work, with the objective of enhancing those elements that
directly contribute to facilitating the greater integration of the energy economies of its
Member States, and to provide increased support to countries in central and eastern Europe
and central Asia for pursuing further reforms aimed at improving the investment climate in
their countries. The work areas covered by the Committee include energy efficiency,
including the Energy Efficiency 2000 Project, natural gas, including the Gas Centre, coal
and thermal power, and electricity. In addition, the UN/ECE has a number of programmes,
such as the Regional Advisory Services and the Special Programme for Economies in Central
Asia, and supports other programmes, such as the Southeast European Cooperative
Initiative, to assist countries with economies in transition to implement reforms,
reestablish energy trade and infrastructure links, and improve the energy efficiency,
productivity and competitiveness of their energy industries.
Delegates were also apprised of the
progress achieved in the implementation of the United Nations Framework Classification for
Reserves/Resources: Solid Fuels and Mineral Commodities. This classification, developed
under the auspices of the Committee, is now increasingly being adopted and implemented
world wide. A number of non-ECE countries were present to describe how the classification
was being implemented in their respective countries and regions of the world. The aim is
to have a uniform, world-wide classification used by both governments and the private
sector, including banks and stock exchanges, to facilitate the development, financing and
exploitation of new mineral resources.
The Committee on Sustainable Energy is the
Principal Subsidiary Body of the Commission in the field of energy. It includes 55
countries, covering North America, western Europe, central and eastern Europe, the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Baltic region and Israel.
For more information please
contact:
Mr. George Kowalski
DirectorSustainable Energy Division
Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Telephone: (+41 22) 917 2417
Fax: (+41 22) 917 0038
E-mail:[email protected] |
Mrs.
Sevinç Kiciman
Senior Economic Affairs Officer
Sustainable Energy Division
Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Telephone: (+41 22) 917 2446
Fax: (+41 22) 917 0038
E-mail:[email protected] |