Brussels, 07/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - A European boost to international sustainable energy year will be given on 8 February at the European Parliament. At this event, Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development, will express the European Commission's commitments to promoting an effective EU contribution towards the objective of providing the poorest sectors of the population with access to sustainable energy by 2030. This ambitious goal was set up by a new high level group, led by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, of which Piebalgs is a member. The commissioner will also express his support for the three objectives of the initiative to be achieved by 2030: universal access to modern energy services, doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global mix of fuel sources. The challenge ahead is a substantial one given that worldwide about 1.4 billion people have no access to electricity, up to a billion more have access only to unreliable electricity networks and almost 3 billion people rely on solid fuels (i.e. traditional biomass and coal) for cooking and heating.
On Tuesday, on the eve of the official programme launch at the Parliament, Piebalgs stated: “We are all aware of the fundamental role that energy access plays as a driver for development, in delivering health, education, food security and economic growth, to name but a few. With around €2bn allocated to the energy sector worldwide, the EU is a leader in empowering the world. Through the promotion of our technology and expertise combined with a targeted use of our aid funding, we will aim to increase access to modern energy services for the world's poorest.”
Access to energy is one of the EU's post-2013 development policy priorities in the new orientations presented by the Commission in its “Agenda for Change” communication. Sustainable energy is central to providing opportunities for inclusive, equitable and environmentally friendly economic growth, creating new job opportunities and contributing to poverty eradication while moving towards low-carbon and resource-efficient energy models. Energy will also be one of the main topics taken up at the Rio+20, a conference that will take place in June 2012. (AN/transl.fl)