Climate Expert Calls for Greater Use of Renewables

Doha, December 3 (QNA) - Renewable energy associations on Monday called for using sources of renewable energy on a broader basis and for an international collaboration to use renewables smartly. Panelists at a press conference, held today under the theme "Towards 100 % Renewables-The key role of communities" on the side lines of the COP 18 conference currently in progress in Doha, spoke of their efforts to promote the use of renewables on a larger scale. "We d like to see more countries coming with substantive decisions," President of International Solar Energy Society (ISES), David Renne. "We (Renewable energy associations) look for the appropriate implementation of the Green Climate Fund and to support the private sector to become an entity within that fund," Renne said. When Funds are properly used by governments it will help bring down the high cost of renewable energy technologies. That will then give the private sector an opportunity to introduce private companies representing renewable technologies into the climate change debate. Renne pointed out to some cases studies that have been carried out that show results of activities taking place. "Renewable technologies are meeting a substantial percentage of the energy needs of the community and many technologies appearing will help develop the process," He said. Talking about the climate negotiations currently underway, he said "the Green Climate Fund is one good step, however it still needs to be fully implemented by the governments." These funds will help bring down the high costs of climate mitigating technology and will attract private sector investment. On the current debates around the extension of the Kyoto period commitment from a 5 to 8 year period, he said "the major question is how do we allocate our resources and decide on the kind of future we are looking for." "Discussions now are shifting their focus from mitigating climate change to adapting to climate change," he noted. He expressed hope to see more countries signing up to practical agreements that make a good use of renewables. The ISES works together with other renewable energy organizations, namely the international Hydropower organization, international solar energy society, world wind energy association, world bioenergy association. (END)