2004 � the year of renewable energies: Wieczorek-Zeul and Trittin commit to sustainable forms of energy

15 January 2004. 2004 is the year of renewable energies. In Berlin today, Federal Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul and Federal Environment Minister Juergen Trittin drew attention to the International Conference on Renewable Energies that is going to be held in Bonn in June 2004 on the invitation of the Federal government. This conference is aimed at helping energy generated from the use of water, sun, biomass and geothermal heat to a break through on a global scale. Minister Wieczorek-Zeul pointed out the significance the conference has for poverty alleviation: "2 billion people have no access to modern energy. To alleviate poverty around the globe, access to energy is vital." Minister Trittin added: �Climate protection is a global challenge which calls for a renewed and environmentally-compatible energy system. We will have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30 percent by 2050 worldwide if we want to prevent dangerous changes to the climate. One important core element for achieving this is to expand the use of renewable energies."

In the run-up to the international conference in June, regional preparatory meetings are being held. The European conference of renewable energies is taking place from 19-21 January in Berlin. There have already been meetings in Brazil and Kenya which will be followed by further meetings in Yemen and Thailand in the next few weeks.

In September 2002, Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schr�der announced at the world summit in Johannesburg that Germany will host an international conference for renewable energies. The world summit decided to �significantly increase the global proportion of renewable energy�. The Federal government is planning to forge political alliances to prevent the sort of blockades that have arisen for other global issues such as world trade. �We want to get those together who support a future of sustainable energy. Everybody is invited to attend this conference - but in the negotiations we will not wait for the slowest participants�, said Minister Wieczorek-Zeul.

In June 2004, more than 1,000 participants from all over the world are expected in Bonn. Governments, international organisations, private companies and non-governmental organisations will negotiate on how the use of renewable energies can be increased in developing and developed countries. The conference aims to produce a substantial action plan, summarising the commitments and actions of all stakeholders.

renewables 2004 will show that the increase in the use of renewable energies is a win-win strategy for everybody involved: More solar energy, more wind energy, hydropower and thermal energy coupled with higher energy efficiency will help solve the problems of the future.