World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi
Today at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry Matthias Machnig called for concrete progress in climate protection: "2009 will be a key year for achieving a common international line of action on climate protection. In Bonn in the coming week we will found the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). In December the world will meet in Copenhagen. Thus, this year we can make decisive progress for climate protection and a sustainable energy supply."
Following its successful start in 2008, this year the second World Future Energy Summit is again being held in Abu Dhabi. It is the world's largest conference on the future of global energy supply. The organisers expect around 15,000 people to attend the 3-day event. Among the prominent participants are EU Commissioner Piebalgs and former British prime minister Tony Blair.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, State Secretary Machnig called for an energy policy geared consistently towards climate protection and firmly focused on improving energy efficiency and expanding renewable energies. Machnig urged participants to support the foundation and setting up of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) which was initiated by Germany. IRENA will give new impetus worldwide to the expansion of renewable energies. Acting as a platform for renewable energies, IRENA will provide practical advice and support to both industrialised and developing countries.
Machnig also drew attention to the successes achieved in Germany. He cited the example of the massive expansion of renewables which has created 250,000 secure new jobs. Machnig said that this figure will at least double by 2020. A total of 1.8 million people work in the environment sector in Germany, a figure which looks set to rise further. "Especially in times of economic crisis, environmental technologies offer major economic opportunities - in particular for Germany's excellently positioned industry," stressed Machnig.
Machnig praised the commitment of the United Arab Emirates to a sustainable energy supply. The United Arab Emirates is pursuing a committed policy in the field of renewables, despite the fact that it is among the countries with the largest oil and gas reserves. This also holds huge opportunities for German industry.
Numerous companies from the energy and environment sector are also representing Germany at the exhibition taking place parallel to the Summit. During a tour of the exhibition, Machnig spoke with a several companies about the situation on the global markets and discussed their export prospects. At a reception in the German pavilion at the exhibition, Machnig stressed the leading role of German industry in both the renewables and the efficiency and environmental technology sectors. This success is is not least due to Germany's resolute climate protection and environmental policy.