DUSHANBE, August 26, 2011, Asia-Plus — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a clean energy revolution to help transform the global economy and put the world on a cleaner, safer, more equitable path, the UN News Center reports.
“Countries that move quickly down a clean energy pathway will be the economic powerhouses of the 21st century,” Mr. Ban stated on August 24 during a round table in the United States city of Denver on sustainable energy for all. “Their citizens will also enjoy cleaner air, better health, greater market competitiveness, and enhanced security.”
He said the UN system is advocating three energy targets which will help address the “energy poverty” that exists in much of the developing world.
Together, the objectives will enhance equity, revitalize the global economy and help protect the world’s ecosystems. They are ensuring universal access to modern energy services, doubling energy efficiency, and doubling the renewable energy share in the overall global energy mix.
“These targets are challenging, but they can be met,” said Mr. Ban, who added that tackling energy poverty is vital to efforts to achieve the set of anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“If we are to achieve these goals, we need nothing short of a clean energy revolution,” he stated. “What we need most is strong, sustained political leadership to drive this clean energy revolution forward at the speed and scale necessary,” he added.
The UN Secretary-General pointed out that just three per cent of current global energy investment could finance access to modern energy for all.
