[Index]
A regional focus on sustainable energy
and climate change
Second UNECE Regional Implementation
Forum for
Sustainable Development
Palais des Nations, Geneva, 15-16 December
2005
Geneva,
13 December 2005 - The United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UNECE) is holding its Second
Regional Implementation Meeting on Sustainable
Development at the Palais des Nations,
15-16 December. The strong support this
event has received to date from member
States underscores its topical focus:
energy for sustainable development. Senior
government officials will actively participate
from almost all UNECE member countries.
H.E. Mr. Aleksi Aleksishvili, Chair of
the United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development and Finance Minister
of Georgia will deliver a keynote address.
Delegates will debate how best to address
the challenge facing the UNECE region
of ensuring that economic growth, efficient
and secure supplies of energy and a clean
environment are all compatible objectives.
Three interactive discussion sessions
will focus on (i) energy for sustainable
development; (ii) industrial development
and linkages to energy for sustainable
development; and (iii) air pollution/atmosphere
and climate change and linkages to energy
for sustainable development. The event
will culminate in the Chair’s Summary
of the meeting being submitted as the
UNECE regional contribution to CSD-14.
Energy for sustainable development…
In 2000 governments of the UNECE region
adopted a series of objectives in order
to promote and facilitate the transition
to a more sustainable energy future:
sustained access to high quality energy
services; security of energy supplies;
the reduction in health and environmental
impacts resulting from the production,
transport and use of energy; well-balanced
energy network systems, tailored to optimise
operating efficiencies and overall cooperation;
sustained improvement in energy efficiency;
and steady reduction in energy-related
environmental impacts through the development
and application of environmentally-sound
and economically-viable technologies,
and increased use of renewable energy
resources.
Delegates will take
stock of progress in the achievement
of these objectives, identify obstacles
and agree on further measures. Depending
on their specific situation, some countries
may seek support to undertake necessary
infrastructure and technology improvements;
others may be able to play a leading
role in terms of innovative technologies,
energy efficiency and the further development
of renewable energy.
Industrial
development…
Over the past two decades, significant
structural changes have taken place in
the industrial sector in the UNECE region,
with different trends observed in North
America and Western Europe and in transition
economies. Different policies and measures
will be required to promote sustainable
industrial development throughout the
region, with the same ultimate objective
to contribute to economic prosperity
and the creation of income-generating
employment opportunities while reducing
pollution and improving the efficiency
of natural resource use.
Air pollution/atmosphere and climate
change…
Both issues are closely linked to
energy for sustainable development and
also addressed within the framework of
specific legal instruments, the UNECE
Convention on Long-range Transboundary
Air Pollution and the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC). Complementing the discussions
under the Conventions, the meeting will
focus on linkages and synergies between
air pollution and climate change.
Many of the air pollutants covered
by the UNECE air pollution Convention
and the greenhouse gases (GHGs) covered
by the UNFCCC have common sources. Emission
control strategies for such sources may
simultaneously address air pollutants
and GHGs, thus contributing to progress
in both areas.
Partnerships…
For each of the issues discussed progress
can only be achieved through the involvement
of all segments of society. Therefore
representatives of the private sector,
NGOs, international organizations and
partnerships will add their perspective
to the discussions. There will also be
a showcase of the experience of specific
partnerships for sustainable development.
Responsibility at the global
level…
UNECE is a region which
contains great disparity. Within it are
four of the world’s five strongest
economies. The meeting will therefore
not only discuss how to assist less advanced
member States, but also address the responsibility
of Western Europe and North America to
continue their support for developing
countries in other regions to tackle
energy and climate change challenges.
For further information please contact:
Ms. Monika LINN, Team Leader
Environment for Europe and Sustainable Development Team
UNECE Environment and Human Settlements Division
Palais des Nations
CH–1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)22 917 13 15
Fax: +41 (0)22 917 01 07
E-mail: [email protected]
Ref: ECE/ENV/05/P11