By Kari Williamson
In his keynote at WFES, Ban Ki-moon said he has designated sustainable development as his top priority for his next five-year term, and he has set out three objectives to be achieved by 2030:
- Universal access to modern energy services;
- Double the rate of improvement of energy efficiency; and
- Double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
Work on an Action Agenda has already started.
Chinese Premier joins in renewable energy call
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo has also joined Ban Ki-moon in calling for renewable energy and energy efficiency at WFES.
In his keynote, Wen Jiabo outlined a four-stage process to address the world's future energy challenges with priority on energy conservation and energy efficiency.
“To save energy does not mean simply to cut energy use, nor does it compromise people's quality of life. What is needed is to rely on science and technology to increase energy efficiency, build a circular national economy featuring low input, high output and low energy consumption and emissions, and drive sustainable economic and social development with minimum energy and resource consumption.”
He called on governments to “vigorously develop renewable energy and clean energy” and to promote a “revolution of science and technology in the energy sector.”
He further outlined steps taken by China such as shutting down coal fired generators, investing in wind, solar and hydropower, and increase energy efficiency.
Need for renewable energy cooperation
South Korea's Prime Minister, Kim Hwan-sik used his WFES keynote to call for cooperation between developed and developing countries in expanding renewable energy resources.
“To distribute renewable energy to the world, active financial support and technology transfers from developed countries to their developing counterparts are required,” he said.
South Korea aims to become a leader on renewable energy, and Kim Hwan-sik added: “We will maintain close cooperation with the UAE to expand the spread of renewable energy as well as measures for green growth in the future.”