Joint statement by the G8 Energy Ministers, Session I plus EC
Joint Statement by the G8 Energy Ministers, the European Energy Commissioner, the Energy Ministers of Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa
Session I
Rome, Italy
May 24, 2009
The Energy Ministers of the G8 Countries, the European Energy Commissioner, the Energy Ministers of the G5 Countries (Brazil, The People’s Republic of China, India, Mexico, South Africa) and the Energy Ministers of Egypt, Republic of Korea, and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, met in Rome on May 24, 2009 to discuss energy strategies to respond to the climate change challenge while ensuring global sustainability.
We intend to contribute to the success of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process as the appropriate forum to address the climate change issue.
The climate change challenge has a global nature asking for the involvement and collaboration of all countries, developed and developing based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
We endorse a comprehensive approach to address all greenhouse gas emissions. We recognise the importance of increasing energy efficiency through the entire energy chain and of accelerating the demonstration, development and deployment of low-emission energy technologies, including renewable energy sources, smart grid systems and energy storage, refurbishment of power generating facilities and cogeneration, sustainable mobility and low-emission transport vehicles, advancing demonstration of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), and for those of us interested, nuclear power.
1. We need to ensure the closest international co-operation and most effective coordination of efforts in research, development, demonstration and deployment of these low emission technologies, enabling effective sharing of knowledge on key technologies.
2. We believe that a comprehensive strategy to respond to the climate change challenge must necessarily envisage a portfolio of different energy sources. In the context of diversification of the energy mix, renewable energies will play an important role, as they contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhance sustainable development, with due account for different country capabilities.
3. Therefore, We recommend:
a) improving the policy and regulatory frameworks to boost investments in renewable energies, such as solar, hydro, wind and geothermal energy and biomass, while promoting their deployment and diffusion throughout all countries;
b) continuing support to regional and international co-operation and private-public partnership on research, development and deployment of renewable energies;
c) addressing the financial dimension including the possibility of designing dedicated international financing mechanisms.
4. We are aware that despite diversification strategies, fossil fuels will continue to be a key component of the energy mix in worldwide, for many decades into the future. Therefore, the development of innovative technologies such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) will contribute to tackle the climate change challenge.
We support the launch of large – scale CCS demonstration projects globally and call for the active involvement of the private sector in this endeavour.
We support work by the International Energy Agency, Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute and Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) to advance this technology. The International Energy Forum, OPEC and other institutes may join their effort.
We expect that the CSLF Ministerial Meeting to be held in London on October 12-13, 2009 might represent a timely opportunity to assess the state of the art and to identify financing mechanisms.
5. We note that in the opinion of a growing number of countries nuclear power can contribute to diversify the energy mix, to increase power generation security and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We reaffirm that the fundamental prerequisite for the peaceful use of nuclear energy is the international commitment to safety, security and safeguards for non-proliferation (3S), while supporting the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
6. We call all States to adhere to existing international nuclear treaties and continue to promote development and implementation of robust international treaties, standards, recommendations, and monitoring procedures both at international and national levels.
IPEEC
The Energy Ministers of the G8 Countries, the European Energy Commissioner, the Energy Ministers of Brazil, People’s Republic of China, India, Republic of Korea, Mexico welcome the signature of the International Partnership of Energy Efficiency Cooperation – IPEEC and welcome the operational launch of the new international partnership. The signing ceremony by the founding Members was held during the G8 Meeting of Energy Ministers on May 24th 2009.
We, the founding Members:
a) believe that the operational launch of IPEEC will facilitate broad actions that yield high efficiency gains, exchange of information on best practices, and facilitate other means to improve energy efficiency.
b) ask IPEEC to incorporate the Sustainable Buildings Network proposed under the energy pillar of the Heiligendamm Dialogue Process to exploit the potential of energy efficiency in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
c) ask IPEEC to finalise a workplan within a short delay along the Terms of Reference as agreed
d) invite interested countries to join the new Partnership.
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