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Daily Web Coverage
IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) has produced daily reports, daily digital coverage, and a summary report of the Summit. To download our reports, please click the HTML/PDF icons below. |
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Summary Highlights of the Forum
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The fifth World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2012 opened in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on 16 January 2012. The first day of this four-day event was organized around the theme “Policy and Strategy Forum,” and comprised opening statements from Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO Masdar; Wen Jiabao, Premier, China; Kim Hwang-sik, Prime Minister, Republic of Korea; UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; and other dignitaries, followed by special addresses and ministerial panels. The WFES program also included roundtable discussions, an exhibition hall, and numerous other side events and activities.
OPENING CEREMONY
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO Masdar, opened the Summit. Describing WFES as a platform for sharing experience and vision, Al Jaber offered examples of innovation and growth in the renewable energy sector including increases in wind power, greater solar capacity, and parallel cost reductions and technology improvements.
Wen Jiabao, Premier, China, stressed the historic connection between harnessing energy and human progress. He said that China will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Kim Hwang-sik, Prime Minister, Republic of Korea, described Korea’s low carbon, green growth strategy and shared Korea’s experience in green growth.
Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President, UN General Assembly, highlighted the UN 2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.
Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, stressed the need to end energy poverty to ensure equal opportunities. He described the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (also known as Rio+20) meetings as the beginning of a multi-year mission to achieve sustainable energy for all, and called for a new energy future that harnesses the power of technology and innovation in the service of people and the planet.
 Download the IISD RS daily report for Monday, 16 January (English: HTML - PDF format) (Arabic: PDF format).
Visit the web coverage for Monday, 16 January 2012.
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On Tuesday, the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2012 was organized around the theme of “Business and Policy Forum.” In the morning, participants attended plenary panel discussions by business leaders in sustainable energy and international agencies. In the afternoon, participants attended parallel sessions on wind power, natural gas, energy efficiency, cities, transportation, China, rural development, and capacity building. During an evening reception, the 2011 Zayed Future Energy Prize was awarded to Schneider Electric, Ashok Gadgil, and the Carbon Disclosure Project.
In a keynote address, Fatih Birol, International Energy Agency (IEA), underlined that the global financial crisis and the Fukushima nuclear disaster have affected government energy policies and demoted climate change on the political agenda.
Panelists in the business leaders in future energy plenary session agreed on the need to continue investing in emerging markets, with Tulsi Tanti, Chairman, Suzlon, saying this can transform obstacles into opportunity. Juan Araluce, President, Vestas, and Frank Wouters, Director, Masdar Power, emphasized economies of scale and scalability. Bjørn Haugland, DNV, highlighted investments in research and development as companies transition from renewable pilot projects. Steve Bolze, General Electric, said investments in new technologies will be critical in the longer-term. Mark Carne, Shell, pointed out that 2012 will be the first year that Shell produces more gas than oil. Jim Brown, First Solar, said that supply stacks, including photovoltaics and renewable energy, can insulate the market from price volatility risk. Steve O’Rouke, Sun Edison, said addressing engineering issues is the next challenge for photovoltaic technology. Jean-Pascal Tricoire, President, Schneider Electric, emphasized the need for low cost energy.
During a plenary session on insights from international agencies, Adnan Amin, Director General, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), suggested governments create an environment that encourages private sector investment in renewables. S. Vijay Iyer, World Bank, said governments can justify using renewable energies across numerous sectors, and encouraged applying funds to leverage the private sector. Jim Leape, Director General, WWF International, stressed the importance of renewable energy efficiency and using arguments beyond climate change. Mohammed El-Ashry, Chairman, REN21, emphasized the need for public and private support for innovation to enter the marketplace. Marcel Engel, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, said business needs predictability to scale up. Timothy Wirth, President, United Nations Foundation, suggested complementary approaches for sustainable energy and economic growth, such as efficiency incentives. Carlos Dora, World Health Organization, stressed complementarities in environment, energy, and health, saying people need to understand concrete benefits from change.
Download the IISD RS daily report for Tuesday, 17 January. (English: HTML - PDF format) (Arabic: PDF format).
Visit the web coverage for Tuesday, 17 January 2012. |
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Panel on Transforming Cities: Establishing Sustainable Communities (L-R): Peter Sharratt, Managing Partner, Deloitte LLP; Rutu Dave, Climate Change Specialist, CF-Assist, Climate Change Practice, World Bank Institute; Alan Frost, Director, Masdar City; Rex Parris, Mayor, Lancaster, CA, US; Mary Walsh, London Leader, London Sustainable Development Commission, UK |
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Panel on Wind: Powering Up (L-R): Luis Adao da Fonseca, Chief Business Development Officer, EDP, Portugal; Andrew Garrad, President, Garrad Hassan, UK; Steve Sawyer, Secretary General, Global Wind Energy Council; Eddie O’Connor, CEO, Mainstream Renewable Power, Ireland; Inigo Sabater Elzaguirre, VP Government Relations, Vestas Mediterranean; Aart Schreij, Project Manager, London Array, Masdar, UAE; |
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On Wednesday, the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2012 was organized around the “Technology & Innovation Forum” theme. In the morning, participants heard a keynote address and panel discussion by technology leaders and entrepreneurs during two plenary sessions. In the afternoon, Participants attended parallel sessions on issues including solar technology, energy storage, energy-smart infrastructures, carbon capture and storage (CCS), bioenergy, and nuclear power. Side events also took place in a variety of locations throughout WFES, including the Project Village, the Young Future Energy Leaders pavilion, roundtables, and pavilions and conference suites.
Download the IISD RS daily report for Wednesday, 18 January. (English: HTML - PDF format ) (Arabic: PDF format).
Visit the web coverage for Wednesday, 18 January 2012. |
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The fourth and final day of World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2011 was organized around the theme “Finance and Regulatation Forum.”
Keynote speaker Plutarchos Sakellaris, European Investment Bank, identified three instruments that governments can use to attract technology investment: fixed prices, such as feed-in tariffs; market-based approaches, such as certificate cshemes; and targeted approaches.
A subsequent panel on “Financing Sustainable Energy for All,” addressed financing for renewables, and the role of governments, insurance companies, and manufacturers in financing technologies. Ravi Suri, Standard Chartered Bank, called for better understanding of technology risk. Ben Warren, Ernst & Young, stressed that new sources of capital, including pension funds, need to enter the renewable energy financing fray. Richenda Van Leeuwen, UN Foundation, highlighted the potential for telecommunication companies to enter the market. Alex O’Cinneide, Director, Masdar Capital, with Jorge Ramos, Citigroup, stressed that financers need consistent renewable energy policy rather than fluctuating government attitudes and inconsistency.
During the closing ceremony, Richenda Van Leeuwen, United Nations Foundation, stressed the need to keep energy at the top of the global agenda and reminded participants of Ban Ki-moon’s Sustainable Energy For All initiative.
Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC, stressed that the Durban climate change conference delivered beyond expectations, demonstrating universal political will and increased ambition in the global climate regime. Rob Bradley, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE, described UAE’s historic and ongoing leadership in environmental protection and conservation. Robert Swan, Voyage for Cleaner Energy, urged delegates to inspire others, saying "the greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." Summit director Fiona Watson announced that plans are under way for the 2013 WFES, which will run in tandem with an International Water Summit next year, supported by the International Water Association.
WFES 2011 closed at 3:15pm.
Visit the web coverage for Thursday, 19 January 2012. |
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