4 June 2004. At the conclusion of the International Conference for Renewable Energies in Bonn, Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin and Federal Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul see positive results. "The conference was a complete success," they declared on Friday. "Together the delegates have paved the way for a global transformation in energy structures and for a massive increase in the use of renewable energies. This will alleviate global poverty and protect the climate."

"We have laid down new international goals for the increased use of renewables," said Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin. "The action plan will mobilise billions in investments in generating energy from wind, solar, biomass and geothermal sources. This will also benefit the climate. Implementing these measures will lead to the continued and significant decrease in global emissions of carbon dioxide: by 2015 estimated savings of 1.2 billion tonnes CO2 per year are anticipated. Renewables 2004 is a milestone along the road towards an energy system which places equal emphasis on both climate protection and real development opportunities for the world's poor."

"We have achieved our goal," said Federal Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul. "We have achieved a common vision - a declaration of intent to supply one billion people with energy from renewable sources by 2015. We agreed on this in the Political Declaration. This will advance poverty alleviation considerably. And we have given this Political Declaration a concrete basis through proposals that have been incorporated in the International Action Programme." The Minister said she was very pleased with the success of the Action Programme." These contributions show an impressive willingness on the part of all government delegations, companies and civil society to help renewable energies achieve a lasting breakthrough."

Germany made a special contribution to the International Action Programme. Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder announced before the delegates that from 2005, the German Government would provide € 500 million for five years, which would be used to set up a new financing facility in the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau. This increases Germany's previous pledge, made in Johannesburg in 2002, to make available € 1 billion for measures promoting energy efficiency measures and the increased use of renewables.

Altogether around 165 voluntary actions and commitments were submitted for inclusion in the Action Programme. Particularly ambitious goals were presented by China and the Philippines for example, as well as from the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

By 2010, China plans to increase the share of renewable energies in its total installed energy capacity to 10 per cent. This is equivalent to 60 GW total installed capacity and is expected to be made up of 50 GW from small hydropower installations, 4 GW from wind energy, 6 GW from biomass utilisation and 450 MW from solar power. In order to achieve this goal, China has developed its own national strategy for renewable energies. The government will raise around € 50 billion for this in cooperation with other stakeholders.

By 2013, the Philippines has set itself the goal of raising the share of renewable energies in the national total energy capacity by 100%, to 4,700 MW, primarily through geothermal power and wind energy. This will make the Philippines the world's main producer of geothermal energy and South-East Asian leader in wind energy generation. Hydropower will also be used, with the Philippines planning to double the volume of energy generated from this source. The Philippines will furthermore become the central producer and trading centre for solar cells in the ASEAN region. To implement this pioneering strategy, in addition to state funding measures the government is relying strongly on private sector participation.

Questions of financing were among the central topics of the Conference. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) agreed to use US$ 100 million per year to support ambitious renewable energy projects in developing countries. The aim is to trigger total investments of around US$ 500 million per year.

The World Bank Group announced it will increase funding in the renewable energies and energy efficiency sectors by 20% p.a. over the next five years. Support for renewable energies and energy efficiency will amount to a total of US$ 400 million in 2010, equivalent to twice the previous amount.

"The positive results of the Conference are most encouraging: Renewable energies are accepted worldwide; both here and in developing countries they are gaining more and more supporters," said Wieczorek-Zeul. "By reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the use of renewables, we will make a significant contribution towards sustainably alleviating global poverty and protecting the climate."

"We have overcome the blockade of Johannesburg," said Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin. "The message of Bonn is actions not words! Here in Bonn, the international community got down to business. The Bonn results have set the world in the right direction. The age of renewables has now begun."