G8 LEADERS COULD SINK THEIR OWN GLOBAL BLUEPRINT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

21 July 2001

Genoa, Italy - Today, as the G8 Heads of Government meet to discuss climate change and the findings of their own Task Force Report on Renewable Energy, three international environmental groups, Greenpeace, WWF and ECA Watch International, urged the G8 to adopt the report’s recommendations.

The last G8 meeting in Okinawa, at the initiative of British Prime Minister Blair, established a Task Force to identify barriers preventing the expansion of renewable energy for the world’s poorest. The Task Force’s report contains detailed significant recommendations which, if agreed and implemented by the G8, will go a long way towards generating the global renewable energy revolution that is needed to combat climate change and fight poverty world-wide.

“If the G8 leaders are serious about tackling the problem of climate change and helping the world’s poorest people they should adopt and act on the recommendations of their own Task Force” said Paul Horsman, Greenpeace climate campaigner. “Furthermore, they should set concrete timetables for implementation, and they should take the initiative further, both by expanding its ambition and by including other governments to create a truly global initiative.”

While there are shortcomings in the Report, the following points are noteworthy:

• The report says that future energy demand cannot be met by fossil fuels and nuclear power without serious environmental and human health impacts, contrary to President Bush’s recent Energy Plan which, if implemented, would increase carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent in 20 years.
• It clearly says that the only barriers to massive uptake and expansion of renewables are financial and political, not technological. This contradicts those who still say that the technology is not yet ready and further makes the case for action by governments.
• The report emphasises that renewables are often already competitive with conventional energy sources. This contradicts the claims that renewables are too expensive.
• The report states that successful promotion of renewables over the next 30 years will prove less expensive than a "business as usual approach" to the global energy supply.
• The Task Force recommends that G8 countries take steps to remove subsidies for environmentally harmful energy technologies such as fossil fuels and nuclear power.
• The Task Force recommends the implementation of common environmental guidelines among the G8 Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) which include minimum standards of energy-efficiency or carbon intensity for ECA-financed projects and increased funding for renewables in their energy portfolios.

However, the report has been criticised by both the US and Canada and there is a danger that the G8 will sink to the lowest common position which will severely undermine the report’s objectives.

“If they fail to fully adopt the report then any statements from the G8 on helping the poor and tackling climate change will be seen for what they are – hypocritical empty words,” added Giulio Volpi, WWF climate officer. “Without concrete action to promote a clean energy future, this Genoa G8 will be seen for what it really is – a summit of leaders of the wealthiest nations whose agenda is run by corporate power.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Paul Horsman, Greenpeace: +44 7801 212 990; Domitilla Senni + 39 3483988606 Giulio Volpi, WWF International: +32497506805, Cristina Maceroni: +393298315725
Antonio Tricarico, ECA Watch International: +39 3288485448