Commission on Sustainable Development

Ninth Session

4^th Meeting (AM)

SOUND ENERGY SOLUTIONS POSSIBLE, COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TOLD

Improvement of traditional energy systems, introduction of advanced technologies, creation of environmentally friendly energy choices, use of best practices, exchange of information and energy pricing were among the issues discussed by the Commission on Sustainable Development this morning, as it continued a series of multi-stakeholder dialogues on energy.

The subject of today’s segment was “Sustainable Choices for Producing, Consuming and Distributing Energy”.  Unique to the Commission, such dialogues involve representatives of businesses, non-governmental organizations, trade unions, local authorities and the scientific community.  They are seen as a means of generating new partnerships, assessing progress and building consensus on possible action.

A panellist representing the scientific community said that solutions to meet the energy, environmental and development needs of all countries had already been successfully applied around the world.  The scientific community could contribute to achieving sound energy solutions for all countries by resolving technical and cost problems.  It could also provide education, training and insight.

It was technologically and economically quite feasible to extend energy resources and provide heat, power and light with far less energy, a representative of the local governments’ delegation agreed.  She recommended prioritization of investments and reduction of energy demand, and the use of state-of-the-art energy efficiency strategies.  It was also important to set national standards for clean energy production.

Referring to forecasts that global energy demand would increase by up to

60 per cent in the next 50 years, a representative of Australia said that the bulk of the “trillions of dollars needed to meet that demand” should come from private investors.  It was necessary to create an environment which would make such investments attractive.  Policies should create a balance between government and private investments, and appropriate market regulations could help to achieve that goal.

One business representative emphasized that all present energy options should be kept open, including use of nuclear energy, coal and fossil fuels.  He was not advocating an "either/or" policy, but a "both/and" one, he said.  Commercialization of all energy technologies was a key to their future success. 

There was no quick transfer from existing systems to new ones, but development and deployment efforts were needed to promote new technologies.  It was possible to be optimistic about the future of sustainable energy, but such a future would be impossible without a full range of options.

A non-governmental organization representative stressed the importance of using existing tools for clean energy production and use.  In particular, he advocated the implementation of the “Global Energy Charter for Sustainable Energy Development”, which had originally emerged at the first World Clean Energy Conference, as the source of an answer to the stalemated second climate conference in Geneva.  It included provisions on emission limits, costing, energy efficiency, sustainable energy, and funding and financial instruments for renewable energies.  It also addressed the questions of human behaviour and policy-making.

Also on the subject of international instruments, another representative of local authorities referred to a recent meeting of representatives of 100 European municipalities, at which these authorities had expressed their outrage at the refusal of the Bush Administration to forward the Kyoto Protocol to the United States Senate for ratification, or to consider the United States an essential player in the battle against climate change.  Reaffirming local governments’ commitment to the promotion of sustainability, he said that their message to President Bush was:  “We are on your tail and we are not going away.”

This afternoon, the Commission will continue its dialogue on the topic of “public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable energy for transport”.

Background

This morning, the Commission on Sustainable Development met to open a multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable choices for producing, distributing and consuming energy.  (For background information on the Commission and its main focus during the ninth session see Press Release ENV/DEV/563 of 12 April 2001.)

Statements by Expert Panellists

EMAD EL-SHARKAWI of the World Energy Council said that regardless of extensive schemes to bring energy to rural populations over the last decade, some two billion people still had no access to reliable energy sources.  The world was not doing enough to help the poor population.  The challenge was how to overcome energy poverty.  Affordable energy services would dramatically improve living standards.  One alternative would be to bring alternative fuels to the rural poor, such as liquid fuels and affordable electricity.  The international community had accepted the goal of halving those living on less than a dollar a day by 2015.  He called on governments and business to play a leading role in implementing effective strategies to promote the transition from biomass fuels to more efficient and clean sources of energy, such as  electricity. 

Choices for producing, distributing and consuming energy should be based on renewable energy sources, he continued.  Renewable energy, with its unlimited supply, was mostly local in nature and added to energy security.  However, renewable energy sources could not compete with conventional sources without subsidies.  They were largely intermittent and backup sources were required.  The economics of wind energy had improved when combined with storage.  Thermal energy was increasingly being used in Europe, and was also making contributions in some developing countries.  Solar energy also held considerable potential.  The construction of large hydroelectric dams had been limited in recent years because of environmental and social concerns.  When considering new dam projects, viable alternatives should be assessed.  While all options should be considered, fossil fuels would continue to met the bulk of the world’s needs.  Switching to natural gas was another trend.  Natural gas generated some 50 per cent less carbon per kilowatt hour.  Nuclear energy also had the potential to deliver large-scale energy supplies.  The nuclear industry had realized there were public concerns about its use.  Waste disposal was among the most sensitive issues for nuclear energy.  Fusion was progressing, and could make significant contributions by the end of the century.  He called on governments to improve energy efficiency by improving legislation.

Speaking on behalf of the scientific community, RICHARD L. OTTINGER of Pace University, member of the World Conservation Society (IUCN), said that the non-sustainable energy systems of today resulted in inequitable patterns of energy use and produced serious air pollution at all levels.  If fully costed, many traditional production  systems were significantly more expensive than environmentally preferable alternatives.  Moreover, the alternatives permitted leapfrogging to modern energy technologies, thus avoiding having to pay twice for traditional technologies – once to operate them, and again to clean up their harmful effects.  The choice facing developing countries was not between sound energy policies and funding for vital needs of education, healthcare and jobs.  If they were to those latter objectives, sound energy policies could save resources.

Fortunately, solutions were available to energy, environmental and development problems of all countries, he continued.  Many of those solutions had already been successfully applied around the world.  The scientific community could contribute significantly to achieving sound energy solutions for all by resolving technical and cost problems and through providing education, training and insight into existing sound energy systems. 

The first universal imperative for adoption of sustainable energy systems was to get the prices right, he said.  That meant: eliminating subsidies for environmentally-damaging energy use; including the external costs in costing analyses; and comparing energy resources on the basis of their life cycle rather than their initial cost.  Efficiency measures were generally recognized as the best means of reducing the costs and pollution of existing electrical generation systems.  All scenarios for reaching sustainability in energy use envisaged a significant increase in the use of renewable sources – geothermal, wind, solar, biomass, hydro- and marine.  Another option involved the use of a new generation of nuclear plants that was less costly, more pollution resistant and resolved problems of waste disposal and proliferation.  Measures to increase safety were needed, however, before nuclear energy became an acceptable alternative.

However, about 80 per cent of world primary energy was still supplied from fossil fuels, he said, and they would continue to account for the bulk of energy production for some decades.  It was thus crucial to seize all opportunities for making fossil fuel consumption more clean and efficient.  He went on to present the proposals to introduce those relatively affordable clean energy options, which included recommendations to:  eliminate regulatory impediments to energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources of energy; promote the use of hydrogen as a fuel; increase in research of carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration, including standards for the permanency of CO₂ storage; promote and accelerate research on advanced technologies; deploy renewable energy technologies; and to make electricity production, transmission and use more efficient.

BRIAN KOHLER, of Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, speaking on behalf of trade unions, said that something must be done about climate change.  The question was not whether to reduce fossil fuel use but when and how. Industrialists feared seeing their facilities become obsolete overnight, with the stroke of the regulator’s pen.  Workers, their families, and their communities feared the loss of their jobs.  These fears were not unfounded.  Massive change must take place to preserve the environment and move towards sustainability.  A significant numbers of “green” jobs must be created in the process.  A transition was coming, and its regulation could not be left to the marketplace.  The only way to ensure a just transition was to create structured programmes to facilitate it.

Those who opposed the Kyoto Protocol did so because they had no answer to the “tomorrow” question, he continued.  They pretended that climate change was a myth, or that there was nothing that could be done about it.  Many hoped to delay the inevitable until there was a technological “fix”.  Yet, a practical technological solution –- other than fossil fuel use -– was unlikely to be found.  If workers were blackmailed with their jobs, the environment would lose.  Workers must not be asked to make that choice.  The trade union he represented had developed a “just transition” policy, which recognized the right of society to decide –- with the input of stakeholders.  Just transition was more flexible than traditional labour market adjustment programmes.  It included a period of income protection for workers, not to postpone the inevitable, but rather to help them move from existing jobs to emerging ones.  A just transition envisioned an equitable energy supply.  The full understanding of the impacts of climate change on employment and community stability was a pre-requisite for consensus-building.  A study must be undertaken, with the involvement of stakeholders, taking into account local and sectoral issues.  Without action, the planet had no future.  There were no jobs on a dead planet.

BARBARA CANSDELL, Councillor of Maroochyshire in Australia -– a panellist speaking on behalf of local authorities delegation –- said that it was technologically and economically quite feasible to extend energy resources and provide heat, power and light with far less energy than was normally used today.  Giving an example of energy savings efforts in Maroochyshire, she said that Council buildings were being refitted with energy efficient lighting.  The Council had recently won a national health award and was trying to reduce emissions.  It had developed a building code that demanded more efficient energy use, and a small dam that provided local electricity. 

Using less fossil fuel energy, through energy efficiency and measures to lessen energy demand, reduced the emissions that were wrecking our planet’s climate, she continued.  Those measures also created a host of local environmental and public health benefits.  Conservation, efficiency and other demand measures allowing the use of less fuel or electricity should be encouraged.  She recommended prioritizing investments in reduced energy demand, and prioritizing the achievement of state-of-the-art energy efficiency.  National and multilateral financial investments should be equally geared at reducing energy demand and generating new power.  National standards should be set for clean energy production.  Ceilings on standard air pollutants and greenhouse emissions would promote clean electricity generation and provide consumers with a clean energy product.

ROSS WILLMOTT, Council Leader from Lester in the United Kingdom -– also speaking as a local authority panellist -- said that despite the gains made by industrial economies, per capita energy consumption continued to rise in most countries, and economic policies still favoured inefficient energy production and use.  “We should not wait for consensus before we act, however”, he added.  Local authorities all over the world were taking the lead in that respect. 

In Lester, efforts were underway to reduce demand and improve technology.  Up to 30 per cent of energy was being provided from renewable energy sources.  As similar energy improvements should be encouraged elsewhere, the authorities were providing information about its initiatives to those interested in the experience.  Home energy surveys were being conducted, and solar installations were encouraged.  By becoming more efficient consumers and producers and encouraging energy-efficient production, local governments could play a strong role.  He recommended, among other things, that national and local funds be directed towards renewable energy production and the encouragement of demand-side measures.  “Think global, act global, act local”, he said in conclusion.

SISSIE MATELA, of the Rural Development Service of South Africa, said that to achieve truly sustainable development, unsustainable consumption patterns should be changed.  A new system should be developed that relied on efficient energy use in all countries, to be implemented within a reasonable timeframe.  The use of nuclear energy and fossil fuels must be phased out.  Industrialized countries should use much less energy.  Priority should be given to local energy resources that fostered local development.  Energy efficiency was important around the world.  In developing countries, energy efficiency should be used as a vehicle for development.  That could be done by introducing better design and maintenance schemes to reduce the need for energy consumption. 

She went on to say that a system of sustainable urban planning based on local needs should be introduced.  Sustainable production methods must be encouraged.  One example was organic farming.  Energy conservation strategies should also be introduced, including information dissemination.  Each time a new power plant was considered, careful consideration of cost benefits should be made.  Evaluation should be used to chose the best investment.  After reducing energy requirements through conservation, remaining needs could be met by renewable energy.  Some renewable energy technologies were already affordable today, including solar cookers, wind power and solar collectors for heating water.  With increased use, renewable energy technologies would be more cost effective.

She proposed support for the dissemination of information on wind turbines.  Programs should also be supported for the development of passive solar energy.  That cost effective source of renewable energy was not used enough mainly due to a lack of design skills.  Other sustainable renewable sources, such as geothermal energy and wave energy, should also be supported.  All stakeholders and decision-makers should be involved in the process.  Funding must be available, particularly for small scale investments in developing countries.  Capacity-building was also important in developing countries.  Multilateral development banks must give preference to investments in sustainable energy.  She proposed the establishment of a sustainable energy agency to support energy introduction measures into developing countries.

Responding to the stakeholders presentations, IMRAN SIDDIQUE (Pakistan), said that the root cause of the problem facing developing countries was the lack of funding.  In many developing countries, the demand to increase the energy prices had had an adverse effect.

Another Government representative -- ROVERT ALDERSON, Head of Energy and Environmental Division of Industry Science Resources of Australia, said that cooperation could play a constructive part in the resolution of many issues.  Continuous improvements in energy efficiency were needed, and cooperation at many levels could achieve significant results.  Efficiency codes, incentives and technological advances were needed.  Demand-side arrangements could create market circumstances for cleaner energy use. He cautioned against adopting technical solutions that were environmentally friendly but not cost-effective, however, for they could have negative impacts socially and economically. 

He went on to say that various policy tools were appropriate for various sectors, which could learn from each other.  Exchange of information should be encouraged in that respect.  There was little doubt that internalizing costs would make renewable energy resources more competitive vis-à-vis conventional ones.  Policies for environmentally-friendly energy use should take into consideration the fact that energy prices would most certainly rise.  The world was in transition to sustainable development, and support should be given to research and commercialization of renewable technologies.  It was equally important to improve conventional fuel technologies and develop energy services. 

Another area was rather sensitive and required an honest dialogue, he said. Current forecasts said that global energy demand would increase by up to 60 per cent in the next 50 years.  Thinking about trillions of dollars needed to meet that demand, it became clear that the bulk of that money should come from private investors.  An environment should be created to make such investments attractive to them.  It was important to consider policies creating balance between government and private investment.  Appropriate market regulations could help to achieve that goal.  Capacity-building was fundamentally important and should be looked at in a holistic way.  There was no single solution for all economies, but it was necessary to examine policies that could work.

Interactive Dialogue

The Chairman of the Commission, BEDRICH MOLDAN (Czech Republic), said that many interesting views had been expressed by the panellists.  Acknowledgement of the negative impact of current energy practices was of central importance.  Consensus needed to be reached on the price of energy choices, and it was necessary to seek agreement on sustainable choices, conservation and efficiency, and renewable energy.  Successes and best practices needed to be shared.  Those were just a few of the ideas and the floor was open for additional contributions.

A non-governmental organization representative stressed the importance of using the tools for clean energy implementation.  After the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), action had been too slow to reduce global warming, health hazards and biosphere deterioration.  The “Global Energy Charter for Sustainable Energy Development” had been released today, which had originally emerged at the first World Clean Energy Conference as an answer to the stalemated second climate conference in Geneva.  It included legislation on emission limits, external and total costing, energy efficiency, sustainable energy, funding and financial instruments for renewable energies.  It also addressed the questions of human behaviour and policy-making.  He also supported using mandatory energy standards, including those on emissions, electrical safety, solar power and safety.

A representative of the scientific community stressed the need to go beyond research and development, and consider the transfer of new energy technologies.  Electricity and natural gas needed to be developed in many parts of the world.  It was an uncertain process.  Very few new technologies would be successful in the market.  Without investment in technology and early introduction to the market, an adequate level of performance might not be achieved.

A representative of a non-governmental organization said that a moratorium on the extraction of fossil fuels was important for survival.  Such a moratorium had been established in Venezuela, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Niger.  The greatest victims of the effects of climate change had been the poor, vulnerable populations of the developing world.  That was why she supported a moratorium and the transition towards use of renewable sources of energy.

The representative of Indonesia said that it was important to identify sustainable choices for energy consumption, particularly for poor rural and urban dwellers.  The Indonesian Government had initiated appropriate energy policies.  The Government -- in collaboration with the private sector -- promoted development of local energy sources, such as biomass and geothermal methods.  To implement such activities, appropriate support from donor countries was important.

A representative of the business community said that the oil and gas industry was working with host governments to explore new energy resources.  With careful planning, energy resources could be developed without causing lasting harm to the environment.  Industry had pioneered new technologies, such as a technology which reduces the number of oil wells being drilled.  The production of natural gas had increased over last decade.  Industry was placing greater emphasis on utilizing stranded gas.  Industry was also working with governments on fuel reformer technologies.  All production techniques had carbon dioxide emissions as a byproduct.  The feasibility of storing carbon dioxide emissions was currently being studied. 

On behalf of the scientific community, another speaker said that it was important to develop internationally endorsed, scientific standards to monitor carbon sequestration.

A representative of the non-governmental community said that, in Russia, the question of nuclear energy was at the centre of much attention.  She pointed to the Chernobyl catastrophe, which continued to have devastating effects.  In light of that catastrophe, other sources of energy must be explored.

Another speaker from the non-governmental organization community presented the Chairman with a petition calling for an end to the development of nuclear technologies.  The organizations endorsing the petition were concerned that nuclear energy had been included in the Commission’s agenda and that dangerous technology might thereby be given a fresh start.  Nuclear power would not help developing countries.  It was capital intensive.  World-wide, nuclear power had been plagued by erratic performance and the risk of catastrophic accidents.  The nuclear industry was eyeing the developing world as a last place to market its product.  She urged members to protect the integrity of the Commission’s process by excluding nuclear energy from its consideration. 

A representative of trade unions said that the victims of nuclear accidents should be present to discuss the concept of “just transitions”.  In a nuclear accident in the former Soviet Union in 1957, workers of the plant were the first to be contaminated.  They did not know that they were slowly dying.  No one had told them.  The next accident occurred in the 1980s, and they finally knew why people were dying.  In Central and Eastern Europe today, nuclear energy was facing a revival.  Six countries still relied heavily on aging Soviet-designed reactors as their primary sources of energy.  A Chernobyl-type plant in Lithuania provided some 70 per cent of country’s energy.  When the last reactor in Chernobyl was shut down last year, it affected the station’s work force of 6,500 people as well as some 5,000 other jobs in the neighboring community.  The burden of inadequate funding for the transition was being borne by the community.  Workers wanted electricity, but didn’t want to die for it.

A representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that the agricultural sector in many developing countries was still energy-starved.  Energy for productive and income-generating activities was a key to development and to improving the quality of life.  Agriculture was not only an energy consumer –- it could also produce energy, and this use of the sector was still to be fully-tapped.  The energy function of agriculture also opened new job opportunities.  He believed that the international community could begin to design what could eventually become an international protocol on energy, which could include a segment on rural energy.  It could accompany and guide the energy transition referred to by many speakers.

A representative of Saudi Arabia said that his Government did not see any future for nuclear energy as part of sustainable development.  Storage and disposal of nuclear waste and concerns about its safety should be taken into account.  Nuclear accidents were not limited to the vicinities of the plants –- they were trans-boundary. 

A representative of the World Coal Institute said that the question was how to enhance deployment of cost-effective technology, whilst reducing the health and environmental impacts.  Improvements were needed across all energy issues.  For example, it was not the use of coal itself that created problems, but how it was used.  People needed to be encouraged to move from open fires and other household uses to alternate, more efficient, energy choices.  Energy with minimal negative impact should be sought.  He would like to see the cessation of all coal consumption in households.  Until alternatives were delivered, however, it was necessary to recognize the needs of those who relied on traditional energy sources.

A representative of the scientific community said that the world energy assessment editorial board had provided a definition of sustainable energy as energy used to support human livelihood in all its dimensions.  No energy technology or source should be excluded a priori, but much needed to be done to improve the use of traditional energy sources and develop new technologies.  Preserving biodiversity was very important, and it was necessary to focus on the problems involved in the use of fossil fuels, nuclear energy and hydro-electric energy.

A representative of a non-governmental organization said that consumer participation was highly important for promoting energy efficiency.  The use of energy-efficient products needed to be encouraged.  She spoke about several non-governmental organization initiatives in Asia for sharing ideas and promoting sustainable energy.  In 2000, a non-governmental organization symposium had encouraged the creation of a network of civil organizations, and she encouraged the donor community to support that network.

Another speaker representing non-governmental organizations stressed the importance of education for sustainable and responsible energy use.  Determining the paradigm of energy use was also a necessary step.

A representative of Thailand said that his Government was struggling with energy problems, and trying to implement responsible policies.  However, it was not in a position to support nuclear energy.  Since 1992, efforts had been made to establish a nuclear plant in his country as a pollution-free alternative.  However, there were questions as to whether current nuclear technology allowed for 100 per cent safety.  It was also necessary to take into account the human error factor. 

A German trade union representative addressed the question of future energy technologies.  A recent study presented several scenarios, including an “ecologically-driven one”.  Clean energy was possible and feasible.  Turning to his country’s experience, he described initiatives in improving insulation of buildings.  Credits were also being provided towards that end.  Climate protection policies supported use of renewable energy, and many jobs had been created in the process of their implementation.  Renewable energy and energy efficiency made sense from an economic point of view.  Building coalitions among local governments and others involved in energy should be encouraged.

A business representative said that all present energy options should be kept open, including use of nuclear energy, coal and fossil fuels.  Commercialization of all energy technologies was a key to their future success.  There was no quick transfer from existing systems to new ones.  It had taken fifty years for oil to become a leading energy source.  Development and deployment efforts were needed to promote new technologies, which needed to be further enhanced.  Energy producers, distributors and consumers were optimistic that a sustainable energy future was possible, however.  Such a future would be impossible without a full range of options.  He did not advocate an “either/or” policy, but a “both/and” one. 

A representative of local authorities said that information on best practices needed to be shared.  The degree of population participation in efforts for energy reduction was growing.  Local governments should join energy conservation and protection efforts. 

A speaker from the scientific community said that resources were not increasing for research and development.   On the contrary, there had been a decrease in government research spending.  Private research and development spending had also fallen.  There had also been a shift in emphasis from long-term research to lower risk short-term projects.  Basic research was not costly compared to greater interventions down the road.  Sole reliance on the market was not likely to produce the right type of research and development.  The most recent news from the United States suggested that the downward trend in research and development spending might continue and this was a source of concern to the scientific community.

A representative of a non-governmental organization from Ghana said that his organization was focused on creating awareness of the role of renewable energy technologies to meet basic needs, such as supplying clinics with electricity and pumping water.  The Commission must deal with the question of how to target subsidies.  The best way to deal with renewable energy sources was to put the consumers at the centre of the debate.  His organization had identified a lack of effective maintenance support for equipment sent to remote areas, and had set up a network of competent repair men who could ensure that equipment in the field continued to operate.  They had also set up a revolving fund to ensure that spare parts were available.  Projects such as his were necessary to condition the market for full commercialization.  He believed that processes adopted for small projects contributed to the knowledge base.  He supported the establishment of a permanent United Nations Web site to publish the findings of his project and other similar ones.

A representative of trade unions said that, over the past two years, there had been an increase in employment for the climate change agenda.  A central theme had been how to seek collaboration with governments and transnational bodies.  A major outcome of the process was clarification of issues.  He hoped that the employment issue would be part of the official climate change negotiations.  Agreements between trade unions and the business community could serve as a good model.  Were governments ready to support trade union efforts to obtain recognition of just transition programmes?

The representative of Samoa said that sustainable energy, for small island communities, meant availability, accessibility and affordability.  Serious gaps for small-island States currently existed.  In the Pacific region, some 70 per cent of island communities were without access to electricity.  Small island countries suffered from isolation.  The only long-term solution was renewable energy.  It would help alleviate exposure and extreme vulnerability to the consequences of climate change, and would use natural resources such as sun, wind and ocean.  Investment must be attracted to assist in the development of renewables.  The Commission could examine ways to attract investment in small-island States.  While Samoa was too small an investment prospect, in the context of a regional group it might prove attractive for research and business opportunities.  Capacity-building was important for all developing countries.  Many small-island States had suffered severe trauma from the use of nuclear weapons.

On the concept of a just transition, a representative of the scientific community said that what was needed was an understanding of the wealth that existed within the context of national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) evaluations.  More data and further study was needed, as were the application of concrete indicators to see where each nation stood.  Current GDP figures included the benefits of the use of fossil fuel.  Uniform standards for judging what was sustainable must be explored.

A speaker from the business community said that the nineteenth century had been dominated by coal, the twentieth century by oil and the twenty-first century would be dominated by natural gas.  It was an efficient and an environmentally-friendly fuel.  Energy supply and environmental protection would be the most important considerations.  Natural gas could be made available by many countries and could be the backbone for production and power generation without pollution.  The Commission should study how natural gas could be made available to developing countries.

A representative of local authorities said that the state of California had recently deregulated its energy market and was suffering as a result.  Energy sold in California today under deregulation was not cleaner than that sold prior to deregulation.  The rules attached to deregulation of the energy market had not required private investment in the cleaner generation of electricity.  Without such standards, markets could not be relied upon for clean and renewable energy.  Local authorities must be given authority for energy production in their communities, or at least some role in decisions about it.  Local authorities could produce cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.  She recommended that the Commission seek to remove the obstacles that inhibit local authorities.

Another speaker from the non-governmental organization community said that making a shift to sustainable agriculture would contribute to energy conservation and improve human health.  Traditional agricultural methods relied heavily on toxic chemicals, many of which contributed to global warning.

A representative of the scientific community said that everybody was aware of the energy performance of cars, buildings and appliances.  However, that was not the case in businesses, especially small ones.  He pleaded for the use of standardized performance indicators for industry.  That question had been addressed by developed economies, but such information was not adequately shared.  It should be made more available to developing countries, in particular through the use of the Internet.  Relevant statistics should be included in the standard performance reporting for industries.

A panellist representing local authorities then said that the dialogue had been very interesting.  Air pollution today would spread tomorrow, and measures should be taken for cleaner energy production.  Standards for air quality should be implemented, and much needed research for state-of the art technology should be funded.  Demand-side measures for energy-efficient use should be promoted. 

The resolve of local governments to promote sustainability was unshakable, he continued.  A few days ago, an organization representing 100 cities in Europe had proclaimed its support for the Kyoto Protocol.  They expressed outrage at the refusal of the Administration of President Bush to send the Kyoto agreement to the United States Senate for ratification, or to consider the United States as an essential player in the battle against climate change.  They also invited the American public to rejoin the global effort to promote a cleaner environment.  The message for George Bush was: “We are on your tail and we are not going away”, he said.  In the meanwhile, local governments were going to continue to implement policies at their level.

       A representative of the United States said that certain delegations wanted to speak in the debate, but had not been given an opportunity to make a statement because of lack of time.  The delegations who had no opportunity to speak today should be given such a chance later during the session.

The Chairman, Mr. MOLDAN (Czech Republic) said that all the delegations which were on the list of speakers had been given an opportunity to speak.

The representative of the United States said that he had been referring not to governments but to certain other stakeholders participating in the dialogue.

A representative of the scientific community said that many scientific subjects were connected to energy, but maybe a new discipline on energetics should be established, integrating the various spheres of knowledge and educating people on the subject.  Representatives of various branches of science needed to come together to find solutions.  The best mix, from the global and environmental points of view, was hard to find, as it involved many interests and options.  An international forum or a panel should be established to allow all stakeholders to gather regularly to search for solutions.

A representative of trade unions said that trade unions were fully aware of the need to decide on the most appropriate energy measures.  Urgent decisions must be taken by industrialized countries.  Industrialized countries must recognize that the current energy model does not work.  European trade unions had asked governments to quickly ratify the Kyoto Protocol.  Italian trade unions had jointly asked that the heads of State of the Group of 8 (G8) developed nations to decide on mechanisms for equitable social transitions, including safe closure of nuclear plants and support for effected workers.  International financial institutions and civil society should design competition and investment rules which gave priority to labour standards over trade regulations.  Intellectual property rights should not affect sustainable technology flows to developing countries. 

A representative of the non-governmental organization community said that carbon dioxide disposal in deep seas could destroy rich underwater wildlife.  It was not a sustainable solution and should not be supported by the Commission.  He was pleased to hear many positive solutions presented to the Commission, such as the development of wind power.  He proposed the creation of an international solar energy agency.  A United Nations Web site could be operating within a few months.   He urged all countries to ratify the Kyoto Protocol by June 2002.

A business community representative said that governments had made clear the need to follow a sustainable growth path.  The business sector was prepared to play a leading role in meeting that goal.  All carbon-free energy sources must be seriously taken into account.  The international community must be visionary and support potential energy sources.  Together, business, industry and governments could stimulate investment programmes that would achieve sustainable energy services.

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