Cercle mondial du consensus, World Circle of the Consensus, Weltkreis des Konsens

World Sustainable Energy Coalition

International NGO in Consultative Status with the Economic & Social Council of the United Nations

 

 

To WSSD Chairman, Ministers, Delegations, ICC, WBCSD/BASD, WEC, G77, OPEC

Why the Johannesburg Summit must set Renewable Energy Targets

The world population cannot tolerate further manipulations of the energy issue, by side-tracking or quietly suppressing it from the main agenda of WSSD, as it happened at the Summit in Rio de Janeiro ten years ago. It is unacceptable that energy is only discussed in detail in the Poverty Eradication Chapter. Energy needs a world policy with world-wide targets for the transmission to clean, renewable energy systems. The historic omission of specific energy commitments of Agenda 21 must be corrected by enclosed request and ratified in Johannesburg and by the UN General Assembly.

The Plain Truth about Energy

OPEC and WEC know that the depletion of the oil and gas reservoirs is approaching and that the mid-point has already been passed in many areas like the Americas and Europe. ICC, WBCSD and BASD, representing also the chemical industry admit that the remaining fossil resources must be conserved for the organic chemistry, which should be able to rely on this feedstock for hundreds of years. According to reliable world forecasts, reservoirs would last only a fraction of this time horizon, if combustion in power stations, vehicles and for heating purposes continues at the actual rate.

Most politicians, scientists, medical doctors, engineers and economists admit by now, that fossil fuel emissions cause huge damages in terms of global warming, health problems, acid rains, soil contamination and that the petroleum companies are responsible for a lot of bio-degradation, oil spills, trade balance deficits and oil wars.

Based on these undeniable facts, the UN and all governments must commit to a

World Renewable Energy Market Share Growth Target of 5 % p.a.

as shown in attached graph, based on the actual RE market share of about 20 %.

There are enough renewable energy technologies available by now - many of them economically even more viable than conventional, polluting systems - that at least the additional energy demand from population growth, development and modernization can and must be satisfied by clean, sustainable energy. This is the minimum target. It is then hoped that market dynamics will accelerate this transition in the next decades so that the fossil reserves can be stretched for higher added value uses for centuries.

Those who cannot believe this reality, should visit Norway with its 57 % RE market share in spite of its oil and gas production, or Iceland with its 70 % share, which is still growing due to its transition to hydrogen fuel from geothermal and hydro power; or you may visit SHELL and see their growing wind, solar, biomass and hydrogen activities; or see some of the world's largest photovoltaic systems plants of BP.

Therefore we appeal to all Nations to give their support to enclosed request to Chairman Emil Salim, to the Secretary General of WSSD and to the Secretary General of the United Nations.