Energy Efficiency: A win-win approach for Sustainable Development

My contribution to the SDIN Issues Journal today...

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Energy Efficiency: A win-win approach for Sustainable Development

Meeting the energy needs of the world requires a comprehensive framework that not only seeks to increase energy supply, but also improve the allocation and use of energy while reducing energy demand. Increasing and improving energy efficiency can deliver benefits in all of the issues address at the CSD15, and policy options to exploit its potential must be reflected in the outcomes of the commission. Improvements in energy efficiency offer win-win solutions to the needs of the developing and the developed world.

Energy Efficiency: What can it bring to the CSD?

It can ….
Improve energy use with financial gains for different sectors using new and cutting-edge industrial technologies.
Reduce current energy use, in some countries, by 70% by improving building.
Reduce energy use by 10% improving stand-by use, or energy leakage.
Reduce industrial energy use, in some countries, by 17%-33% through improving production processes by 2050.
Reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 45%- 53% through improving production processes by 2050.

Energy efficiency is a win-win scenario –it must be a priority for a sustainably powered world. n some countries improving production and productions processes, such as new recovery technologies, higher efficiency of material use, performance standards, as well as other improvements

Improving energy efficiency in the developing world requires technology transfer from developed countries; the CSD must create a framework that allows developing countries to access the benefits of energy efficiency. Public-Private Partnerships is one option; further action is needed to promote a sustainable approach to energy use. Developed countries, in the spirit of the Monterey Consensus, must assist developing countries in leap-frogging to energy efficiency technologies and capacity building.

Some Policy Priorities for Energy Efficiency

Residential use: More regulations for new buildings and retrofits of old infrastructure can reduce cost and deliver savings to homeowners. Policy regulations can prescribe energy performance thresholds through MEPS, energy information labels, and subsidies for energy efficient appliances, building codes, and other methods to promote savings according. Because many appliances are imported to the developing world, it is important to harmonize references to performance standards observing international trade regulations.

Industrial use: We need to set benchmarks, energy auditing, and standards for industry, and these can deliver further benefits with far-sighted and transparent public-private and private-private partnerships. MEPS need to be set and enforced by governments, and these can be enhanced promoting voluntary measures through savings programmes.

Transportation: There are many policy options, and different measures and policies can help shape consumer behavior. Some of these are MEPS for national fleets, and improvements in public transformation. Improved technologies can help cut fuel use, and these technologies can be promoted through tax incentives

Making the case for sustainable energy at the United Nations

Representatives of the youth caucus of the United Nations Commission for Sustainable at attending the preparatory meetings for the policy session of the Commission. Below is the statement I made at the UN Plenary on Monday morning...
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Children and youth, as the future generations, do not wish to inherit a toxic, radioactive, dirty, and carbon-driven world, and call on the CSD to take action to guarantee that we have a future to look forward to. Providing more than 6 billion people with energy will require concrete action to ensure that we meet the needs of the poor and not only industry.

We firmly believe that renewable energy is the key to a sustainable future. Small-scale renewable energy projects offer a sustainable solution to energy access, providing local, context-sensitive solutions that preserve the environment. Youth have been essential partners in implementing small-scale projects; such contributions need further support.

A clear, universally recognized definition of sustainable energy must be agreed on, which must take into consideration principles stated in the JPOI. It is -evident that nuclear energy and “clean” fossil fuels are not viable options for truly sustainable development; subsidies supporting their exploitation must be phased out and used to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Global climate change is the most pressing issue of our generation. We need immediate action; we cannot rely on partnerships and short-term political maneuvering. Successful measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change demand innovative policy solutions encompassing multiple sectors.

We strongly believe that corporate social responsibility and accountability must be emphasized; while the JPOI highlighted this need, it was not mentioned at CSD14. A framework for business and industry to operate responsibly is needed, and it is needed now.

Cleaner production should be matched with sustainable consumption. Market approaches cannot ensure the best economic allocation of resources alone. Subsidies, when required, need to be used to secure access to energy for the poor.

Children and youth want healthy air. Pressing air pollution issues include the need for a collaborative and functional international policy framework. The costs of unsustainable transportation should be internalized. Fiscal policy should be used to promote public transportation, fuel efficiency, and multiple user initiatives.

There is a lot work to do between now and May.

Measurable targets and timelines are required. While achieving targets needs cooperation from all stakeholders, government accountability must also be stressed.

Given its potential for change, we insist that the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development be heavily emphasized at CSD15.

Recalling UN General Assembly 60/2, the inclusion of youth delegates in the international decision-making process should be facilitated. Governments must fulfill their commitment to include representation of youth.

What i am up to!

it has been more than a week since i wrote here, but i think i have a good excuse. Last Friday i left frozen bar harbor to Washington Dc to attend a weekend retreat for SustainUS, and then i traveled back up to New York yesterday to join a team of NGOs at the UN Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting for the Commission for Sustainable Development (IPM-CSD). Its has been an exciting time already, I published my first article on the SD Issues today, and I just presented a statement to the Plenary on the Priorities for sustainable development and energy. After presenting my statement, i was interviewed with the UN Chronicle for their next edition... and i still have a week ahead of me.
Exciting!
I will try to have updates occasionally.

Spring Breakkkk!!

It's official! i am going to Costa Rica for spring break. I am arriving in San Jose on March 11th and returning to Maine later that month (only to stay here for a week and then go to Argentina).

Ahh... Home sweet home!

This trip to Costa Rica promises a lot. I will be visiting some places where i am interested in working after graduation, and also saying good bye to my land in the case that end-up moving to some other place after i graduate. The thought is a little nerve-racking, but i rather face it as truth.

I am also planning on having some good fun! I invited a bunch of friends to come down, and one of my best friend took up the invitation. John is going to be in traveling with me for a week, which i hope to use to travel to some of the coolest spots in the country: arenal, monteverde, santa rosa, coyote, cabo blanco, etc... yeay! I will be also reuniting with some good odl friends, and enjoying life 'pura vida' style!

happy birthday kyoto!

On February 16th the Kyoto Protocol passed its two-year anniversary since coming into effect in 2005. On February 16th, 2005 the Kyoto Protocol became binding law after Russia ratified it, becoming the fifty-fifth nation bound under the Protocol. Up to now, one hundred and sixty-nine nations are parties to the treaty, with the regrettable exception of the United States and Australia.

The Kyoto Protocol has come a long away since its creation in 1997, but, in the midst of the second anniversary, there are dark clouds overcastting compliance with the global 2008-2012 targets. Most of members bound to reduce emissions during 2008-2012 have already passed their targets beyond a point of no return; some members have even attempted to forfeit efforts to meet their duties. However, there have been some accomplishments; the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), one of the Kyoto flexible mechanisms for countries to meet their targets through reductions abroad, has recorded remarkable steps. Between 2008 and 2012 more than 1 billion tons of CO2 will be reduced through clean development in more than 500 projects worldwide, and the number keeps increasing. This, unfortunately, will not be enough to meet the Kyoto targets—unless developed countries take meaningful steps to reduce emissions at home.

On its second birthday, I wish Kyoto a stronger compliance mechanism for its post-2012 life, stronger additionality criteria for its mechanisms, political will for reform from its friends, and fruitful reconciliation with currently absent large greenhouse gases emitters. Join me wishing Kyoto a happy birthday; leave your comments with birthday wishes on this blog!

Global Average Temperature For January Highest On Record

NOAA reported today that the combined global land and ocean surface temperature was the highest for any January on record. According to the NOAA National Climatic Data the most unusually warm conditions were in the mid- and high-latitude land areas of the Northern Hemisphere. The combined global land and ocean surface temperature was 1.53 degrees F (0.85 degrees C) warmer than the 20th century average of 53.6 degrees F (12.0 degrees C) for January based on preliminary data, surpassing the previous record set in 2002 at 1.28 degrees F (0.71 degrees C) above the average.

Last month's record was greatly influenced by a record high land-surface temperature, the fourth warmest global ocean-surface temperature was in the 128-year series, and a moderate El Niño episode that began in September 2006. In the contiguous United States, the monthly mean temperature was near average in January.

The presence of El Niño, along with the continuing climate change trend, contributed to the record warm January. NOAA reported that the monthly mean temperatures more than 8 degrees F above average covered large parts of Eastern Europe and much of Russia, and temperatures more than 5 degrees F above average were widespread in Canada. The unusually warm conditions contributed to the 2nd lowest January snow cover extent on record for the Eurasian continent.

Hikin' Dorr

In conclusion to the climate summit this past weekend on Sunday, my friends and I went for a long afternoon hike . We hiked Dorr Mountain, the second tallest mountain in Mount Desert Island. Temperatures were on the -10/-15 C range, and were surprised by the ice and the accumulated snow. Check out some of the photos, they are awesome!
We were blessed with the company of my good friend Rob Niven from Montreal, who joined us for the Summit and presented on carbon capture. We also had the good company of Seth from Chewonki and Julia Thomas from MECA.


Thanks for the good company, and, of course, thanks to Blanco for his guidance!

The Maine Climate

Once again, the blog has been quiet. I believe there has been a good reason, besides for a busy winter, the organization for the climate summit has been taking a lot of my spare time. To learn more about the summit, please click here.
I will have more updates soon.
Photo: Conference of Youth in Nairobi, Kenya in preparation for the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Scientists and trading partners have spoken: Is the US listening?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is releasing its Fourth Assessment Report expressing the global consensus on climate change trends. Released in Paris, France today, the report concludes that it is 90% likely that climate change is due to human activities. Meanwhile, Jacques Chirac, president of France, has warmed that if the US does not take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, products exported from the United States could be taxed to enter the European market. While industries in Europe have to invest in reducing their emissions, industries in the US continue to emit gases without any control. This is unfair to European industry, and, unless the US takes serious action to reduce emissions, it could be faced with a carbon tax if it wishes to continue trading with its largest export market.

Although such a tax could be disputed at the WTO, France is supportedby the rest of Europe if it was to implement such a measure. The US Federal government has ignored the concerns of millions of citizens, but perhaps it might listen to the concern of its own industry. The science is clear, the cost of inaction is escalating, the time to act is now.