Documentos Johannesburg Energy Diary 28th August 2002, morning New? Renewables? Targets? Don’t let them run out of the table! Although fully discussed on the corridors of the Sandton Convention Centre and exposed on the Energy Plenary this Wednesday, the so called Brazilian Initiative for a 10% target for new renewable energy global share by 2010 can still be out of the WSSD Plan of Implementation if not put on the table for negotiation. The Brazilian Forum of NGOs and Social Movements, as many concerned major groups of civil society, expects the Brazilian Government, already supported by many countries, not to hide behind the G77 group to end up without a strong commitment on targets for the production of sustainable and affordable energy on the summit final document. The Forum also supports the Energy & Climate Caucus proposal of phasing out harmful subsidies, which should be shifted to a fund for sustainable energy production in developing countries, as a mean to achieve this target. The dramatic treaty of climate change, as well as the need of two billion people for a life with dignity, including with the access to clean and affordable energy, urges the governments worldwide to commit with this joint effort for a sustainable planet. 29th August 2002, afternoon Energy negotiations fuelled with oil In a day full of energy but with a lack of political will expressed by oil export countries, the target for new renewables global share was the issue among G77 countries. Not only the Brazilian proposal was presented and resisted, as countries as Egypt, Iran, and Saudi Arabia emphatically stated they can not accept any global target aiming the increase of the share of renewable sources of energy. Brazil was supported by countries from Latin American and the Caribbean region but the consensus was not reached in the room. The tendency should lead to the inclusion of commitments only in the regional plans, as NEPAD (Africa) and the Latin American and Caribbean action plan. As suggested by Costa Rica, these targets at least must include strong commitments by the governments, in a way they should not be agreed only on a voluntary basis. During the press conference held right after the afternoon G77 session, ministers and representatives from Mexico, Philippines, Norway, Brazil and Argentina presented their commitment to continue the pressure for targets on renewables. The Environment Secretary of São Paulo State, Professor Jose Goldenberg, explained how developing countries can benefit from the Brazilian initiative. The present global share of renewable sources of energy reaches 5%. Industrialized countries comprises a mean of 6% and would be the ones to lead the way on increasing the share of new renewables to 10%, while developing countries are already responsible for 29% of the renewable energy production. As these sources include the use of unsustainable biomass, which leads to environmentally harmful conditions due to deforestation and indoor pollution, developing countries can replace these by new and sustainable sources of energy, as solar, wind and modern biomass, making use of international cooperation and foreign investments to reach the global target. Too many words and no actions yet to give consistence to the WSSD Implementation Plan regarding the energy issue. Once effective actions are expected to be taken by governments on the energy sector since the Climate Convention signed in 1992, the planetary society can not accept governments to wait for more ten years to take concrete steps to start the necessary and urgent change for a sustainable future. The Brazilian Forum of NGOs and Social Movements, being present both in the official and civil society meetings, strengths its demand and work for sustainable energy for all. 30th August 2002, late afternoon G77 targets zero The new wording for sustainable energy targets presented by Iran ‘fully recognizes’ the role of national and voluntary regional targets ‘where they exist’. The shame proposal was supported by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and followed by a silent room which testify the ruin of expectations to have any step forward on the climate change and access to affordable energy issues. Not even an agreement on phasing out subsidies for environmental harmful energy production was achieved. Would the ministers and head of states be listening the pressure to take responsibility from now on and to save energy negotiations? Hopefully they watch television, read newspapers and are aware of the weigh on their shoulders, once sustainable and affordable energy are now fashion words in the media, and a demanded reality. 31st Auguts 2002, morning Voluntary regional targets for renewables – better to stay home and save air travelling emissions to Johannesburg The voluntary regional or national targets are wavening WSSD negotiations on energy, biodiversity, patterns of production and consumption and so on. What is the point on having UN Conventions to end up with regional plans and with voluntary measures to promote sustainable development through partnerships? When delegates can not agree with expressions such as “taking actions”, or “ launching an action programme” to improve access to reliable and affordable energy services, a basic assumption to promote development and sustainability? Are there not enough reasons to go march and boycott the WSSD? Or it should have been better to stay home and save air travelling emissions, tons of CO2 that are going to keep the hot air for more ten years in the atmosphere and inside these convention buildings? The G77 proposed text suggests now to “diversify energy supply by developing advanced, cleaner, affordable and cost-effective fossil fuel technologies”, and to increase the share of renewables on voluntary regional basis. The Forum of Ministers of Latin America and Caribbean met this morning and manifested again support for the Brazilian initiative for global targets. …it is getting harder to keep the faith. Contacts: Lucia Ortiz – Friends of the Earth Brazil / Brazilian Forum of NGOs and Social Movements for Environment and Development