Switzerland Joins International Energy Partnership

 

January 19, 2006

"Our REEEP membership echoes Switzerland's commitment towards global climate protection and to sustainable development. Intensifying our international cooperation within this initiative will not only strengthen our national energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, but it will also be highly beneficial for our industry and research organizations involved in the energy technology market," said Moritz Leuenberger, President of the Swiss Confederation.

Marianne Osterkorn, REEEP International Director, sees the commitment of the Swiss government as a major step toward engaging the international finance community with the clean energy sector. "Switzerland's leadership in financial services and the reinsurance industry are crucial to attract the levels of finance necessary to expand the marketplace for renewable and energy-efficient technologies. REEEP also looks forward to Switzerland's leadership in energy efficiency technologies as REEEP expands its work into buildings and the built environment."

REEEP has more than 58 on-the-ground projects targeting the development of policy or financial models that can be replicated by governments and project developers worldwide. REEEP's work is focused on the development and support of legislative and regulatory frameworks that accelerate the marketplace for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

REEEP, an alliance of governments, NGOs and businesses, consists of 160 partners (40 of which are governments) and is one of the key partnerships in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency. REEEP receives financial contributions from Austria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. As the main donor, the United Kingdom has supported REEEP since its inception.