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Geneva, 1 June 2004 - During its annual session held in Geneva on 24-26 May 2004, the Steering Committee of the Energy Efficiency 21 Project (EE21) officially accepted the “Climate is Business e-Ward 2003", a recognition from the industry given to the UNECE by the European Business Council for the Sustainable Energy Future (e5).

On behalf of the Steering Committee of the EE21 Project, Mr. Zdravko Genchev received the award at a ceremony held in Milan in December 2003. The Business Council has been at the forefront of presenting the voice of a progressive business community ready to accept the challenge of combating climate change. The “e5” refers to "energy, emissions, environment, efficiency and economy", the main caucus of the European Business Council for the Sustainable Energy Future.

The e-Ward was sponsored by Deutsche Telekom, Ecofys, Essent Durzam (NL) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The EE21 Project was recognized through this award as being a major contributor to climate change mitigation through its work and activities. The new phase of the EE21 Project discussed during the three-day session will be even more active in this direction through special attention to the promotion of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy investment projects.

The Bureau and the secretariat will continue their efforts to develop the Project Plan 2003-2006 including a financing mechanism or investment fund by working with supporting institutions and fund management teams. The projects operations for the new phase begin upon completion of the Project Plan and the provision of adequate resources by supporting institutions. Towards this direction, the UNECE work will continue with all partners, including the UNF/UNFIP Energy Efficiency Investments for Climate Change Mitigation, the French Global Environment Facility, Norwegian Government, Italian Government, the US EPA, the US DOE, UNEP and the UNDP GEF, and on the Regional Network for the Efficient Use of Energy and Water Resources (RENEUER).

For further information please contact:

Gianluca Sambucini
Energy Efficiency 21 (EE21)
Industrial Restructuring, Energy and Enterprise Development
Division (IREEDD)
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Palais des Nations Bureau 348
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

Telephone: +41 (0)22 917 1175
Telefax: +41 (0)22 917 0178
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.unece.org/ie/

Ref: ECE/IREEDD/04/N03