Sustainable energy objectives are attainable, if the world embarks on a determined, collective effort
The Committee meeting was held during UNECE’s Sustainable Energy Week (17–21 November 2014), which featured five events and included the first meetings of the Group of Experts on Energy Efficiency and the Group of Experts on Renewable Energy, a Workshop on the Development of a Classification for Renewable Energies and the launch of the Geneva Energy Conversations.
In opening the meeting, UNECE Executive Secretary Christian Friis Bach called attention to the Committee’s focus on 'Energy for Sustainable Development – Must Reality Conflict with Ambition?' “The objectives of energy sustainability are attainable, if the world embarks on a determined, collective effort”, he said, presenting to the Committee an extended menu of policy options for consideration by countries to act into eight categories. The high-level segment continued with addresses from the World Energy Council, the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation and KPMG International, followed by a panel dialogue, which further examined how to accelerate the world's transition to a sustainable energy system.
During the discussion the points were raised that policy must align with people’s needs. It is much more effective if people work to achieve societal objectives while working in their self-interest. Also, it is impossible to know the future given how technology advances, economies evolve, and markets react. It is essential that we be humble in our approach and focus on establishing the framework conditions within which investors and consumers make their choices. As participants noted, there is not a lack of capital, nor a dearth of innovation or technology that prevents us from meeting the objectives of energy for sustainable development. What is needed is stability and political commitment to the long game in balancing economics, environment, and societal needs.
UNECE member States agreed on recommendations to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on how Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and CCS for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) should be treated in a Post-Kyoto Protocol Agreement. After the meeting, the UNECE Executive Secretary submitted the recommendations to the UNFCCC secretariat for further action at the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties and the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Lima, Peru.
Member States and the public were also invited to join the launch of the Geneva Energy Conversations. UNECE and the Centre for International Environmental Studies of the Geneva Graduate Institute organised the first in a series of innovative evenings, focussing on the solutions and challenges to reach and stay on a 2°C pathway. David Hone, Chief Climate Change Advisor to Shell, underscored that, while emissions continue to rise despite government efforts, the solutions to climate change are still within reach.
In its other work, the Committee also the Group of Experts on Energy Efficiency meeting discussed conclusions and recommendations, as well as its 2014-2015 Work Plan, and the Work Plans for the Group of Experts on Renewable Energy, Expert Group on Resource Classification, Group of Experts on Cleaner Electricity Production from Fossil Fuels, Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane, and Group of Experts on Gas.
A memorandum of understanding with the Renewable Energy Network of the 21st Century (REN21) was signed to undertake joint activities on renewable energy in the UNECE region.
UNECE Executive Secretary Christian Friis Bach: Opening Statement at the 5th International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development, Hammamet, Tunisia, 4-7 November 2014. Watch video on UNECE’s YouTube channel
The Executive Secretaries of the five UN Regional Commissions issue joint call for action to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy (UNECE Press Release, 4 November 2014)
