2 July 2004. The International Action Programme is one of the key outcomes of the International Conference for Renewable Energies - renewables 2004 - which took place in Bonn in June. Many governments, international organisations, financial institutions, companies, associations and non-governmental organisations responded to the German government's appeal for contributions, thus confirming their willingness to promote renewable energies in the coming years with actions and voluntary commitments. The Action Programme now contains about 200 contributions from all over the world.

"This demonstrates the attraction of the International Action Programme," stressed Federal Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul. "Many new contributions have been added even after the Conference. Governments, NGOs and companies are thus showing that they all want to be involved in the global transformation of energy systems. In this way, sustainable poverty reduction can succeed, to the benefit of us all."

"Getting down to business was the innovative approach of renewables 2004," said Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin. "The many concrete contributions to the Action Programme will mobilise billions in investments for generating more energy from wind, solar power, biomass and geothermal energy worldwide. The goal is an energy system which places equal emphasis on both climate protection and development opportunities."

Germany's major contribution to the Action Programme is Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's announcement that a special fund for renewable energies and energy efficiency will be set up, totalling up to 500 million euros (in addition to the 1 billion euros pledged in Johannesburg in 2002 for renewable energies and energy efficiency). For a period of five years from 2005, reduced interest loans will be granted for investments in developing countries. In addition, Germany also introduced the further increase, through the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), of the renewables' share in the electricity supply to 20 per cent by the year 2020 into the Action Programme.

Other important actions include the Global Environment Facility's agreement to support the increased use of renewable energies in developing countries with 100 million USD per year - which will allow total annual investments of 500 to 600 million USD - and goals for the increased use of renewables. A total of more than 20 countries have named such goals, the most prominent from China: by 2010 China aims to generate 10 per cent of its electricity from solar power, wind and small hydropower stations.

From 1 to 4 June 2004, the International Conference for Renewable Energies - renewables 2004 - took place in Bonn. With a total of 3,600 participants from 154 countries, 30 international organisations and various stakeholder groups, the Conference met with an exceptional level of interest.

A list of all the actions and the full International Action Programme can be found on the Internet at www.renewables2004.de/en/2004/outcome_actionprogramme.asp.