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“We need change, and we need it urgently”… Yumkella tells EU as he lauds their efforts on energy access

By: Anthony Abdul Karim Kamara Jnr - USA on February 8, 2012.

BRUSSELS, February 8, 2012 – The European Parliament has today welcomed senior representatives from the United Nations, the European Union, the European Parliament, as well as civil society and the private sector for the European launch of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. (Photo: {l-r} UN Energy Chair Kandeh Yumkella and EU Commissioner Andris Piebalgs)

An initiative spearheaded by United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, Sustainable Energy for All seeks to spur economic growth, address global inequities and preserve the environment in an effort to ensure universal access to modern energy services, to double energy efficiency and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030.

Announcing the Sustainable Energy for All High-level Group’s “Framework of Action,” during his keynote address, UNIDO’s Director General, Kandeh Yumkella, who also chairs UN-Energy and is co-chair of UN Secretary-General’s High-level Group noted several high-value proposals and areas for action at the national and international level, including efforts to expand energy access, promote efficiency standards and policies, and strengthen investment in renewables.

“This Framework will enable governments, the private sector and civil society groups to make specific commitments to action which will drive progress from the boardroom to the smallest village, enabling the world to achieve sustainable energy for all by 2030” said he at the jam-packed Paul Henri Spaak hall of the European Parliament.

“Europe has demonstrated leadership by example on energy access and through its long-term vision on renewables and efficiency. We need to replicate these examples throughout the world and accelerate actions that help us achieve sustainable energy for all by 2030,” noted DG Yumkella as he lauded the leadership of the European Union as well as its support of the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s initiative.

The European Union has also made energy one of the three thematic priorities of its new “Agenda for Change.” Not only is Europe advancing sustainable energy to the top of the global development agenda but the European parliament passed a comprehensive resolution on the need to achieve universal energy access.

Reports suggest that increasing access to modern energy services is a prerequisite to creating social and economic opportunities and an enabling environment for the world’s poorest to improve their lives especially in a world where one in five persons worldwide still lacks access to adequate, accessible, affordable and reliable electricity and about three billion people still rely on the use of wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for heating and cooking purposes.

“We need change, and we need it urgently. We can, and we must, give three billion people the chance to build more productive, healthier lives,” said Yumkella, stressing that “Europe stands to gain from accelerating the transition to low-emission technologies because more stringent commitments to energy savings and concrete targets for renewables by 2030 will unlock private-sector investments across Europe as well as deliver on the vision of a low-carbon future laid out in Europe’s Energy Roadmap 2050 an initiative of the European Climate Foundation – ECF.”

By embracing the goals of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, Europe clearly understands that during tough economic times, focusing on sustainable energy will open new opportunities for increasing Europe’s competitiveness and for stimulating much-needed growth and jobs.

“We are all aware of the fundamental role that energy access plays as a driver for development, in delivering health, education, food security and economic growth, to name but a few. With around €2bn allocated in the energy sector in developing countries, the EU is a leader in empowering the world. Our energy partnership with Africa has already provided access to energy to 13 million people. We must join forces with the industry, academics and partner countries to foster access to sustainable energy to all by 2030” said Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs.

“The EU will throw its weight behind putting sustainable energy at the top of the global development agenda. Through the promotion of our technology and expertise, combined with a targeted use of our aid funding, we will aim at increasing access to modern energy services to the world’s poorest. This is a prerequisite for creating social and economic opportunities that can improve their lives on the long run,” he continued.

EU Commissioner Piebalgs is a member of the High-level Group on Sustainable Energy for All, that is tasked with leading efforts to mobilize and facilitate commitments to action that will drive change on the ground; commitments that will feature at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) later this year.

Other speakers included Norbert Neuser, Member of the European Parliament; Stephen Leonard, CEO of IBM UK/Europe, Grace Mukasa, East Africa Regional Director – Practical Action; Måns Nilsson, Research Director, Stockholm Environment Institute; and Anders Wijkman, Associate Senior Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute, former MEP and Vice President of the Club of Rome.

Sustainable energy is central to providing opportunities for inclusive, equitable and environmentally friendly economic growth, creating new job opportunities and contributing to poverty eradication while moving towards low-carbon and resource-efficient energy models.

As governments, the private sector and civil society come together to forge a common partnership, it is clear with the strong will from all stakeholders, there is no challenge too large to achieve. Sustainable Energy for All is one that can and must be achieved to promote economic growth and help the poorest of the poor to satisfy their basic human needs.

The event was sponsored by the United Nations Foundation, Practical Action and the Stockholm Environment Institute.

by Anthony Abdul Karim Kamara Jnr, on assignment in Brussels

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“We need change, and we need it urgently”… Yumkella tells EU as he lauds their efforts on energy access

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