As the evidence and impact of climate change increase, so does the urgency to develop new, clean ways of generatingand using energy. And as global demand for energy increases, this quest will become even more urgent.
This year the population of the planet reached 7 billion. By 2050 it may top 9 billion. All will need access to modern andaffordable energy services.
The UNCTAD Technology and Innovation Report 2011 focuses on the important role of renewable energy technologiesin responding to the dual challenge of reducing energy poverty while mitigating climate change. This is particularlytimely as the global community prepares for the Rio+20 Conference next year.
The Report identifies key capacity issues for developing countries and proposes concrete recommendations for the wider use of renewable energy technologies to promote sustainable development and poverty reduction.
My high-level Advisory Group on Energy and Climate Change stressed that there is an urgent need to mobilize resourcesand accelerate efforts to ensure universal access to energy. Creating an enabling environment for the promotionand use of renewable energy technologies is a critical part of this effort, as recognized by the United NationsGeneral Assembly when it declared next year as the “International Year for Sustainable Energy for All”.
It is also at the heart of my recent launch of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative to help ensure universal accessto modern energy services; double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and double the share of renewableenergy in the global energy mix, all by the year 2030.
We can tackle both energy poverty and climate change by facilitating investment, enhancing access to technologies,and doing more to help developing countries make a transition to a greener path of economic growth. The Technologyand Innovation Report 2011 helps point the way forward.
BAN Ki-moon
Secretary-General
United Nations
