United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has addressed the need for a clean energy revolution for a more sustainable future.
The initiative will require the combined efforts of governments, multilateral investment banks, private finance, civil society, the knowledge community and the private sector, said Mr Ban at the Global Green Growth Forum (3GF) in the Danish capital, Copenhagen.
“We are partners on a path to sustainability, but we have no time to waste.”
In 2011, Mr Ban launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative, which aims to achieve three inter-linked global targets by 2030: universal access to modern energy services; the doubling of energy efficiency; and the doubling of the share of renewable energy in the world’s energy mix.
“Each of these objectives serves a common end: clean, low-carbon growth. This is critical for sustainable development,” said Mr Ban.
The triple deadline is fast approaching as world leaders have agreed to establish a new sustainable development framework and reach an agreement on climate change by 2015.
Mr Ban proposed a climate summit next September to bring together government, business, finance and civil society leaders from around the world to agree on new commitments to be made and spark a race to the top in climate action.
He also urged them to raise their level of ambition by scaling up the investments and financial flows necessary for making the transformation to a low-carbon economy.
“We need large amounts of capital for the rapid development of low-carbon infrastructure,” he stated.
“With enlightened action, we can create jobs, improve public health, protect the environment and spur sustainable green growth. In the coming year we should all do our utmost to unlock the barriers to climate finance that exist across the global economy.”
He also noted, in the meeting, his intention to include pension fund leaders in the climate summit, and discussed the possibilities for using the event as a unique opportunity to leverage unprecedented financial, political and organizational capital.
Mr Ban also stated that “with focus, resolve and ambition, we can lower the global thermostat and raise the level of economic opportunity for all – from the poorest households to the largest enterprises.”
Denmark has already shown its initiative this year and was recognised at the 3GF conference for its efforts of its commitment to a 100 per cent renewable energy system, and was rewarded with a Gift to the Earth Award.
