Positioning of solar at
COP15
Braving the cold of
Denmark and enlightened
by the perspective of
attending one of the
most awaited world
summits on climate
change, the EPIA team
headed to Copenhagen
with a strong
willingness to raise the
flag of solar PV as high
as possible. With our
simple but catchy motto
“solar power, more
energy, less CO2”, we
intended to increase the
overall awareness on the
huge potential of solar
energy to mitigate
climate change.
What we can highlight
from this summit, apart
from the exhausting
“obstacle course” and
major access
restrictions, is
summarised below.
The conference “took
note” of a quite weak
“Copenhagen Accord”,
drafted in the last
hours by 5 countries,
namely the US, China,
India, Brazil and South
Africa. The text does
not mention any specific
intention to agree on a
binding successor to the
Kyoto Protocol after
2012. Among the many
loopholes to be
mentioned, no agreement
was reached neither on
the baseline year -
against which 2020
emissions reductions are
to be benchmarked - nor
on the long-term goals
for global emission
cuts.
Yet there is at least
recognition of the need
to avoid a global
temperature increase
above 2 degrees and that
deep cuts in global
emissions are required.
About 30 billion dollars
should be raised for
2010-2012 by developed
countries as fast-track
financing for actions in
developing countries,
while a more long-term
goal of mobilising 100
billion dollars a year
by 2020 is agreed. The
set up of a technology
mechanism dedicated to
accelerating technology
development and transfer
was also decided.
Negotiations will move
ahead, with the next
milestones already
foreseen in Bonn and
Mexico this year.
Delegates from developed
countries left
Copenhagen with
significant homework,
including the
requirement to submit to
the UN by the end of
January 2010 their
commitments in terms of
emission reduction
targets for 2020.
Countries that are
parties to the Kyoto
Protocol are expected to
further strengthen their
emission reductions.
Developing countries on
the other hand will have
to implement mitigation
actions, submitted to
domestic verification
and list them by the end
of January 2010 as well,
and report every 2 years
on these actions.
Beyond the modest
results of the
negotiations, EPIA
fulfilled what it came
for: attracting media
attention and providing
information on the
bright perspectives of
solar power via a press
conference, interviews,
networking and a
side-event organised in
partnership with the
American Solar
Association (SEIA) and
the Alliance for Rural
Electrification (ARE).
A number of delegates
from across the world
expressed significant
interest in photovoltaic
technology and despite
the exhausting
negotiation rounds, took
the time to stop by the
EPIA booth. Over 1000
pins with the dedicated
solar logo and our key
publications were
distributed. More than
100 participants
attended the side-event,
at which the emissions
reduction potential of
solar and specific
industry targets were
presented at global
level. In parallel, over
2000 hits were recorded
on the dedicated website
solar COP15. The
presentation of the
solar plane by its
inventor B. Piccard
added to the overall
very positive
positioning of solar at
COP15.
Ahead of the next
international
negotiations, there is
now an urgent need to
keep strengthening and
spreading the message
that solar PV is part
of the solution to
mitigate climate change.
Legally binding emission
reduction targets are
essential for the
post-2012 period as well
as strong and long-term
regulatory frameworks to
promote the deployment
of renewable energy
sources .
Let this New Year be the
year of positive
advancement of the solar
cause in the climate
change negotiations and
beyond!
Florence Limet
Policy Advisor
On behalf of the EPIA
Team
European Photovoltaic Industry Association
Renewable Energy House - 63-67 Rue d'Arlon – 1040 Brussels – Belgium
Contact: Kinga Timaru-Kast - k.timaru@epia.org
© EPIA a.i.s.b.l. 2009 - www.epia.orgrg
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