Energy is one of the main topics during the ministerial discussions at the Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GMEF) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) being held in Dubai from 6 to 9 February. Millions of people still do not have access to electricity. The growing demand for fossil fuels and the dependence on oil are at the core of the global energy situation. Furthermore, the energy sector is responsible for producing the largest share of greenhouse gases.
During the discussions, the EU will be concentrating on access to energy services in order to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The focus is also on energy saving and energy efficiency decoupled from economic growth, the growing demand for energy, increase in greenhouse gases and the deteriorating environmental situation. The rapid and significant increase in the use and development of renewable energy and other sustainable energy technologies, as well as efficient mechanisms for the review and follow-up for sustainable energy systems, are also priorities.
In this respect, the EU considers it particularly important to touch on all these points, and not just on access to energy services, as is the US approach for instance. The EU thereby makes clear that action must not only be taken with regard to developing countries, but that the industrialised countries too must play their part. A particular concern of the EU is to bring about a shift in production and consumer patterns towards sustainability. It welcomes the role that the UNEP is playing as part of the Marrakech Process on sustainable consumer and production patterns.
The EU attaches particular importance to the link between climate change and energy consumption. The Climate Conference in December in Montreal is viewed as a positive step towards strengthening the climate process (Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol). In this context, renewable energy and above all the sustainable use of biomass take on key roles.
On Tuesday, 7 February, 87 ministers from the Johannesburg Renewable Energy Coalition (JREC) will meet in Dubai. The aim of the JREC, which was established on the EU’s initiative at the World Summit in Johannesburg, is to encourage the voluntary cooperation of countries on the basis of the universal declaration “Ways to renewable energy”. The Member States have committed themselves to voluntary regional and national targets for renewable energy. The most recent meeting of JREC members took place in Beijing at the beginning of November, when a decision was taken to hold a JREC meeting at ministerial level on the fringe of the UNEP-GMEF.
The results of the ministerial discussions at the GMEF will be incorporated in the talks at the 14th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD14), which will be held in New York from 1 to 12 May 2006 and will deal among others with the topic of energy.
Ministers at the meeting in Dubai will also discuss the proposal made by French President Jacques Chirac during the French EU Presidency concerning the establishment of a UN Environment Organisation (UNEO). The proposal involves developing an organisation from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The EU wishes to support the establishment of the UNEO within the framework of the process in the UN General Assembly. The content-related aspects will remain high on the agenda during the Austrian Presidency.
Further information at www.unep.org
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