The 2004 Renewable Energy conference in Bonn, Germany and subsequent international meetings have raised awareness of the conditions necessary to support the growth of renewable energy. These conditions identified include
- enabling policies that encourage the development of renewable energy markets
- increased private and public financing in renewable energies
- human and institutional capacity building, and coordination and intensification of research and development.
The following are just some of the partnerships, coalitions, industry associations and other initiatives outside of Canada that have been established around the world in the past few years.
Find out more information on the status of Renewable Energy in Canada.
International
Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC) - Renewable Energy
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is an international organization created by Canada, Mexico and the United States under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). The CEC was established to address regional environmental concerns, help prevent potential trade and environmental conflicts, and to promote the effective enforcement of environmental law. CEC addresses renewable energy issues under its Environment, Economy and Trade Program.
Energy and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are an initiative of the UN Millennium Committee and are quantified targets for dramatically reducing extreme poverty in the world by 2015. For example, the Millennium Development Goal #1 is to reduce by half the proportion of people living in poverty by 2015.
A common finding to the ten task forces of the UN Millennium Committee is that improving access to energy services is critical to the achievement of the MDGs. According to the United Nations Development Programme website, “None of the Millennium Development Goals can be met without major improvement in the quality and quantity of energy services in developing countries.”
G8 Gleneagles Declaration
At the 2005 Gleneagles G8 Summit, leaders of the G8 nations recognized the importance of cleaner energy technologies, and committed to undertaking further action to accelerate their development. Relevant excerpts from the G8 Gleneagles Declaration on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development include;
5. We face a moment of opportunity. Over the next 25 years, an estimated $16 trillion will need to be invested in the world’s energy systems. According to the International Energy Association, there are significant opportunities to invest this capital cost effectively in cleaner energy technologies and energy efficiency. Because decisions being taken today could lock in investment and increase emissions for decades to come, it is important to act wisely now.
6. We will, therefore take further action to:
(a) promote innovation, energy efficiency, conservation, improve policy, regulatory and financing frameworks; and accelerate deployment of cleaner technologies, particularly lower-emitting technologies.
Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP)
GVEP is a 10-year initiative that seeks to increase access to modern energy services to those in developing countries around the world in a manner that enhances economic and social development and reduces poverty. GVEP partners include developing countries and industrialized governments, multilateral organizations, private firms, non-governmental organizations and other interested stakeholders. GVEP is one of three programs under The Clean Energy Initiative (CEI): Powering Sustainable Development from Village to Metropolis, launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg in August 2002.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)
REEEP is a global partnership that structures policy initiatives for clean energy markets and facilitates financing for sustainable energy projects.
Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21)
REN21 is a global policy network that serves as a forum for international leadership on renewable energy and connects governments, international institutions, non-governmental organizations, industry associations, and other partnerships and initiatives. Its goal is to bolster policy development for the rapid expansion of renewable energies in developing and industrialized economies.
The United States
American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE)
The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) is a non-governmental organization in Washington, D.C. focused on accelerating the adoption of renewable energy technologies into the mainstream of American society through work in convening, information publishing and communications. With a focus on trade, finance and policy, ACORE promotes all renewable energy options for the production of electricity, hydrogen, fuels and end-use energy.
Apollo Alliance
The Apollo Alliance is a broad-based constituency that supports a sustainable and clean energy economy that will create millions of good jobs for the United States, reduce its dependence on foreign oil, and create cleaner and healthier communities.
California Solar Initiative (CSI)
The California Solar Initiative (CSI) is the largest solar energy policy ever enacted in the U.S. and second only to Germany in terms of global solar policy.
Interstate Renewable Energy Council: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)
DSIRE provides access to information on state, local, utility and federal incentives in the United States that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. The database is an ongoing project of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), a U.S. non-profit organization working to accelerate the sustainable utilization of renewable energy sources and technologies in and through state and local government and community activities.
Western Governors Association: Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative
In June 2004, Western Governors Association (WGA) adopted a resolution in which they agreed to examine the feasibility of
- developing 30,000 MW of clean and diverse energy by 2015.
- increasing energy efficiency 20 percent by 2020.
- providing adequate transmission to meet the region’s needs through 2030.
The WGA’s targets include developing 1,000 MW of solar power by 2010.
European Union
European Renewable Energy Council (EREC)
EREC is an umbrella organization of European renewable energy industry, trade and research associations active in the sectors of photovoltaic, wind energy, small hydropower, biomass, geothermal energy and solar thermal. EREC is calling for an increase in the overall renewable energy target for the EU to 20% by 2020.
European Union Biomass Action Plan
The Biomass Action Plan establishes measures for increasing the use of biomass energy in the heating, electricity and transport sectors. The initiative is aimed at helping the European Union meet its goal to increase renewable energy as a percentage of the total energy supply from 5.4% in 1997 to 12.0% by 2010. This plan is aimed at reducing Europe’s dependence on imported energy, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, protecting jobs in rural areas and extending the EU’s technological leadership in these sectors.
Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign 2005-2008
Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign is a European Commission initiative under the Intelligent Energy - Europe (2003-2006) programme. The goal of the campaign is to help the European Union achieve its renewable energy and other sustainable energy policy targets.
Developing Countries
China Renewable Energy Law, February 2005
In 2005, China passed its first ever renewable energy law that offers a series of favorable policies for developing renewable energy. For example, the law demands that all state grids purchase renewable energy. Ratified in February 2005, China's renewable energy resources law will take effect on June 1, 2006.
In 2003, China’s renewable energy consumption accounted for only 3% of the country’s total energy consumption. Through this law, the government plans to increase this to 10% by 2020.
China has the potential to develop 400 million kilowatts (KW) of hydraulic power and 1 billion (KW) of wind power, in addition to the rich solar energy resources in two-thirds of the country. Moreover, the total amount of the country’s bioenergy resources is expected to reach the equivalent of 1.2 billion to 1.5 billion tons of coal a year by 2020.
Organización Latinoamericana de Energía (OLADE)
In 1973, 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries signed the Lima Convention, which has been ratified by 26 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The mission of Organización Latinoamericana de Energía (OLADE) is to promote agreements between its members and carry out actions to satisfy their energy needs through sustainable development of different sources of energy.
Non-Governmental Organizations and Industry
Citizens United for Renewable Energies and Sustainability (CURES)
CURES is a network of more than 240 member organizations seeking to increase the role of renewable energies worldwide. CURES aims to serve as an information network; shape policies and processes; and monitor and evaluate policies, processes, governments and international financial institutions related to renewable energies and sustainability.
Climate Action Network (CAN)
CAN is a worldwide network of over 365 non-governmental organizations working to promote government, private sector and individual action to limit human-induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels. CAN identifies increasing the use of renewable energy as an important strategy for reducing GHG emissions and mitigating dangerous climate change. CAN Europe is actively working on renewable energy policy issues.
Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
GWEC was established in 2005 with a mission to ensure wind power is established as one of the world’s leading energy sources. GWEC works in the areas of policy development, business leadership, global outreach, and information and education related to wind energy.
International Network for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE)
INFORSE is a worldwide network consisting of 140 non-governmental organizations working in about 60 countries to promote sustainable energy and social development. The network was established in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. INFORSE’s vision is “a world where energy services that are necessary for a just and human-centred development are provided in a sustainable way using renewable energy.”
World Wind Energy Association (WWEA)
WWEA is an international non-profit association embracing the wind sector worldwide, with members in 80 countries. WWEA works for the promotion and worldwide deployment of wind energy technology.
