Statement
Delivered by Grenada on behalf of AOSIS
We wish to place particular emphasis on a few areas that we believe are essential to improving the effective implementation of sustainable development. 1. Legislation 2. Energy efficiency 3. Renewable energy 4. Technology Transfer 5. Indigenous technology 6. Sustainable Tourism 7. Funding Mechanisms 8. Private Sector involvement 9. SIDS Net 10. Capacity Building 11. Special MSI section in the CSD outcome document We call for: Support for creating an enabling environment by integrating energy into National Planning processes AND economic policy and energy legislative frameworks, that encourage cost-effective and efficient energy security initiatives for national development. Promote energy efficiency for both demand and supply side sectors. In terms of the supply side: SIDS are Highly dependant on imported technology and therefore appliance labeling and standards are critical Promote renewable energy technologies: • where particular attention should be given to improving the efficiency of solar photovoltaics • support the use of solar thermal for water heating. • Assistance for the effective Capture, transport and effective conversion of renewable energy sources. • Increase research and development into developing cost effective and efficient energy storage facilities. • Pilot projects in gasification • Biofuels should come from sustainable feedstock so that Food security is ensured. • We welcome initiatives by Iceland in Geothermal Energy and would like to move to more pilot projects and the commercialization of these projects. • In the area of R&D we also need specific funding for indigenous technology. Chair The tourism industry is a major energy consumer in SIDS and needs to be targeted for capacity building for implementing energy efficiency. The issue of funding is an important Theme for SIDS in terms of sustainable development: We would like clear information on sources of multilateral funding available for energy initiatives. In fact, We need a formal review of all funding sources and mechanisms including the CDM, GEF and other funding modalities. Across the board, we need to reduce transaction costs and make these funding sources more predictable and Provide appropriate mechanisms and modalities specific to the needs of SIDS. We reitierate the need for grant funding particularly for feasibility studies, debt funding in the form of project finance which seeks no collateral, and equity financing. Related to this we cannot stress the importance of Improving private sector engagement in renewable energy and sustainable development. On the question of Reinssurance and insurance schemes. We need to look at the existing schemes available to CARICOM through the world bank with a view to making this available more globally so that the Pacific and AIMS regions can benefit, and with a view to greater private sector involvement. Information sharing and capacity building: SIDS NET Develop and strengthen effective clearing house mechanisms such as cyber laboratories and centers of excellence in SIDS regions and foster sharing of information and experiences between these mechanisms. In this regard We envisage an interactive learning network which uses the rich environment similar to My Space and You Tube. We call for greater Capacity building including training, technology and information transfer through building on pilot project experiences. The retention of this human capacity is critical for SIDS to implement in a sustainable manner. Finally Chair, AOSIS wishes to reiterate the need for a separate section in the outcome of CSD 15 specifiaclly dedicated to the implementation of MSI: Implementation of the MSI is the mandated role of the CSD. In closing Chair we reiterate: 1. Legislation 2. Energy efficiency 3. Renewable energy 4. Technology Transfer 5. Indigenous technology 6. Sustainable Tourism 3 7. Funding Mechanisms 8. Expansion of Insurance mecahnisms 9. Private Sector involvement 10. SIDS Net 11. Capacity Building 12. Special MSI section in the CSD outcome document
