Minutes of
UN-Energy Seminar and General Meeting
25-26 February 2008
Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria
1. A Seminar and a General Meeting of UN-Energy was held at the United Nations Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria, 25-26 February 2008, hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The agenda and the list of participants are attached at Annex I and II respectively.
2. Mr. Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General of UNIDO and Chairman of UN-Energy, welcomed the participants. In his introductory remarks the Chairman observed that the growing international debate related to climate change also brought with it growing expectations of UN-Energy. It was important for the UN system to "act as one" in implementation, and to be pro-active in preparing relevant inputs to inform the global debate.
3. The Chairman highlighted the importance of UN-Energy interaction with non-UN entities and experts. He expressed his appreciation that in spite of the short notice representatives of the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) had accepted the invitation to make presentations to the UN-Energy Seminar. He also thanked the representatives of the World Bank and the UNFCCC secretariat for providing substantive presentations and suggestions with a view to frame the future UN-Energy programme of work. The Chairman also thanked the representatives of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations Foundation (UNF), the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and the International Institute of Development Studies (IIDS) for their participation in the UN-Energy Seminar.
4. The following presentations were made and discussed at the seminar, and can be accessed via the UN-Energy webpage:
- Mr. Jamal Saghir, Director, Energy, Transport and Water and Chair of Energy and Mining Sector Board at the World Bank provided an introductory overview entitled "Energy for Development: Some Trends and Issues" , focusing on the “big picture” and analyzing the gaps in access to energy and in investment financing, both seen as compounded by gaps in energy policies. Providing greater access to energy services in developing countries, especially in Africa, remained of particular importance. He noted that the key development issues included energy security, energy access and climate change. Urbanization, in particular in the developing world, was accelerating and this trend was not yet adequately addressed by policy makers. Mr. Saghir highlighted the rapid growth in the World Bank Group energy project portfolio. He also drew the attention of UN-Energy to the importance of energy technology research, development and deployment (RD&D) and noted that recent historic data suggested that public as well as private sector funding for research and development had fallen significantly between 1980 and 1990, and had stagnated at low levels ever since. Mr. Saghir concluded that it was important for energy policy makers to step up their support for the commercialization of new energy technologies.
- Mr. Nebojsa Nakicenovic, the representative of IIASA, introduced the collaborative work undertaken within the framework of the “Global Energy Assessment” (GEA) project. He explained some of the long-term scenario projections and their underlying assumptions. He also highlighted the crucial importance of rapid technological advancement in low-carbon energy technologies if the challenges of climate change are to be addressed effectively.
- Ms. Cecilia Tam, energy technology policy analyst at IEA, introduced the conclusions of the IEA World Energy Outlook 2007 report and also provided a summary preview of the up-coming IEA publication “Energy Technology Perspectives 2008: Scenarios and strategies to 2050” which is planned to be released in time for the G8 Energy Ministers Meeting in Japan in June 2008. She informed the group that the IEA reference scenario projects global energy-related CO2 emissions to increase from the current levels of 27 Gt/annum to 42 Gt/annum in the year 2030. If alternative energy policies were adopted on both the supply and the demand side, the projected growth in CO2 emissions may be some 20 per cent lower. However, if a long-term stabilization of CO2 in the atmosphere at levels of 450 ppm is to be achieved as advocated by a growing number of countries, much more profound shifts to new low-carbon or no-carbon energy technologies would be needed, together with great investment in energy infrastructure development. In order to realize a protection of the global climate, emission reductions would be needed in all economic sectors, and significant financial incentives would need to be given for investments to achieve the necessary CO2 reductions.
5. Members of UN-Energy and other seminar participants expressed their appreciation of the presentations. It was observed that it was important for UN-Energy to continue to highlight the lack of access to energy by the poor, in particular in Africa. The participants discussed the respective advantages of centralized grid-based and decentralized/off-grid energy/electricity supply models and concluded that both should form complementary components in national energy development strategies. It was also considered important that UN-Energy flag a variety of other key issues and contribute to the promotion of energy efficiency. The discussion underscored the importance of accelerated development and deployment of advanced energy technologies, including renewable energy technologies. In concluding the discussion, the Chairman thanked the presenters and all others for their active participation, also pointing out that the enriched discussion will enable UN-Energy to better focus its attention on the main challenges ahead.
6. The representative of the IIDS informed UN-Energy of the various options of using modern information technologies for the development of knowledge management systems and provided an on-line demonstration of an information tool on climate change related projects and activities that IIDS had prepared for the CEB secretariat.
7. The group used the afternoon session of 25 February 2008 and parts of the morning session on 26 February 2008 to introduce and discuss in the plenary and in working groups the suggested draft elements for the UN-Energy work programme 2008-2009 which the cluster leaders had circulated among members ahead of the meeting.
- Draft UN-Energy work plan element on energy efficiency: UNIDO and IAEA jointly introduced a proposal to develop and disseminate a modeling tool that can enhance the assessment of the cost effectiveness of energy efficiency measures. A presentation was made to illustrate the usefulness of computing cost curves that can be used to rank alternative energy efficiency options by their relative cost effectiveness. Such costs curves can contribute to rationalize decision making on energy policies. The modeling effort would be based on the IAEA MESSAGE model methodology. UNIDO and IAEA have formed a project team and have invited the World Bank and other UN and non-UN partners in joining and supporting this initiative. Whereas the modeling tool is intended to be developed and presented in a generic manner, the cluster leaders also intend to undertake some country studies to test and to build capacity in the application of the methodology. The representative of IIASA highlighted the IIASA experience in modeling work which could also benefit this activity. It was noted that the methodology could be of particular interest to countries with economies in transition. Therefore, the representative of UNECE suggested to explore possibilities of linking this activity with the UNECE Energy Efficiency 21 Project. The Chairman informed the group of his recent consultations with the Minister of Environment of Poland, noting also that Poland will host the 14th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC at the end of 2008. The Chairman encouraged the energy efficiency cluster to further develop its proposal and to explore possibilities of presenting the methodology and information on some initial applications as a part of a side event at the CoP-14 conference.
- Draft UN-Energy work plan element on renewable energy: FAO and UNEP, the co-leaders of the cluster on renewable energy, introduced their proposed activities, including the preparation of a follow-up UN-Energy publication bioenergy, which would build on earlier work and provide relevant information to policy makers. A detailed work schedule was presented, and the cluster co-leaders invited other interested members to team up with this initiative. In addition the contribution of UN-Energy to the discussion on bioenergy, the group discussed possible engagement concerning other areas of renewable energy. UNESCO expressed its readiness and outlined its plans in furthering capacity building for enhanced renewable energy development. Speaking on behalf of UNIDO, the Chairman informed the group of the up-coming Global Forum on Renewable Energy scheduled to be held in Iguacu, Brazil, 18-21 May 2008. Noting the hydropower is an important source of energy with considerable development potential the Chair also proposed to explore the inter-linkages between energy and water in the context or renewable energy development.
8. A video conference was organized on 26 February 2008 from 10-11 am Vienna time to enable all members unable to attend in person to actively participate in the deliberations. Representatives of ECA, ESCWA, UNCTAD and UN Habitat joined the video conference. Based on the consultations of the first day, cluster leaders summarized the emerging work plans. The representatives of ECA reconfirmed their interest to contribute to the work of the energy access cluster. ECA also informed the group of up-coming conference events planned to be held in Addis and in Dakar. The Chairman of UN-Energy invited the energy access cluster to explore possibilities of cooperation in this context. The representative of UNCTAD briefed the group on ongoing work related to standardization and trade in liquid biofuels and expressed interest to contribute to the work of the renewable energy cluster. The representatives of ESCWA and UN Habitat also briefed the meeting on their energy related activities and expressed interest to take part in selected activities of all of the three clusters.
9. The secretary to UN-Energy invited members to provide the secretariat with up-dated summary profiles to keep the mapping of activities on the UN-Energy webpage current and informative. He also proposed that webpages of members of UN-Energy may include a weblink to the UN-Energy webpage, which may increase visibility of UN-Energy and its efforts to enhance system-wide coherence in the field of energy.
10. In line with recent decisions of the Policy Committee and the Secretary-General on a climate-friendly / climate-neutral UN, the secretary to UN-Energy proposed that any eventual new project proposals include a budgetary provision to purchase carbon off-sets for all official travel. He also encouraged members to enhance the implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP-lead Energy Management Group (EMG) in their respective organizations.
11. The Chairman thanked all participants for their inputs to the meeting. He informed the meeting of his plans to keep the HLCP and the CEB periodically informed of the progress in the work of UN-Energy. He requested the cluster leaders to review and submit their amended cluster work plans during the 1st week of March to enable the Chair to compile his report to HLCP/CEB in a timely manner for their up-coming spring meetings.
12. The Meeting agreed to hold the next UN-Energy video conference at a convenient time during the last week of April 2008. The Group expressed its appreciation of UNIDO Director-General and his team in organizing and hosting the Meeting.
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ANNEX 1
List of participants
AGENCY |
Name of Participant |
Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |
Mr. Gianluca Sambucini |
United Nations - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) |
Mr. Alexander Müller |
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) |
Mr. Holger Rogner |
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) |
Mr. Minoru Takada |
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) |
Mr. Osman Benchikh |
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) |
Mr. Mark Radka |
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) |
Mr. Henning Wuester |
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) |
Mr. Kandeh Yumkella, |
World Bank |
Mr. Jamal Saghir |
United Nations - Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) |
Ms. Kathleen Abdalla |
United Nations Foundation (UNF) |
Ms. Melinda L. Kimble |
Internacional Energy Agency (IEA) |
Ms. Cecilia Tam |
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) |
Prof. Nebojsa Nakicenovic |
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) |
Mr. Binu Parthan |
Austria Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Ms. Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl |
The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) |
Mr. Said Aissi |
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) |
Langston James Goree |
Video/Tel conference Participants
|
AGENCY |
Name of Participant |
|
|
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) |
Ms. Jacques Moulot |
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) |
Mr. Nazar Hassan |
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (HABITAT) |
Mr. Vincent Kitio |
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) |
Ms. Simonetta Zarrilli |
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25-26 February 2008
Vienna International Center (VIC) / C07 - Conference Room II
Agenda
Monday, 25th February 2008
09:30 – 10:00 |
Introduction and Opening Session |
10:00 – 11:30 |
UN-Energy Seminar: |
11:30 – 11:45 |
Coffee Break |
11:45 – 13:00 |
UN-Energy Seminar contd: |
13:00 – 14:00 |
Lunch Break |
14:00 – 15:30 |
Meeting of UN-Energy:
|
15:30 – 15:45 |
Coffee Break |
15:45 – 17:00 |
B) Discussion of proposed elements and adoption of Tentative Framework of UN-Energy Programme of Work 2008-2009 |
18:00 – |
Cocktail Reception |
|
|
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Tuesday, 26th February 2008
10:00 – 11:00 |
UN-Energy video-conference
|
11:00 – 12:00 |
Integration of UN-Energy work programme elements |
12:00 – 12:30 |
Strategic calendar of events and other matters |
12:30 – 14:00 |
Lunch Break |
14:00 – 15:00 |
Parallel group discussions among cluster members on implementation plans for work programme elements |