|
|
|
|
|
| SARPN Home |
| POVERTY, ENERGY & GENDER > Sustainable Energy News |
| [previous] | [table of contents] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] | [next] |
| SUSTAINABLE ENERGY NEWS NUMBER 10 |
| 1. SECCP News | |
|
COP 8: SECCP contributes to Sustainable Development Policies and measures drafting process Sustainable development requires a major change in energy development, both to move to use of resources that are renewable, rather than finite and to reduce the adverse impacts on human health and the environment - local and global - of conventional energy (fossil fuels, nuclear power and large dams). In South Africa there are powerful vested interests resisting any significant change from business-as-usual: the Integrated Electricity Outlook (20-year timeframe - produced by Eskom and the National Electricity Regulator) make it clear that renewable energy technologies are at this stage viewed as nothing more than window-dressing. One dynamic that may help to change this is engagement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Some of the most interesting developments that took place during COP8 (the eighth Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC) in New Delhi last month were outside of the official proceedings. While the USA, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia blatantly obstructed proceeding and endeavoured to undermine existing agreements within the Convention, the global Climate Action Network (CAN) held a series of meetings to develop the draft position paper on Equity. SECCP and other South Africans participated in the process, with the SECCP Co-ordinator convening the working group dealing with the sections on SD PAMs, global justice, energy targets and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Export Credit Agencies (ECAs). Immediately prior to the COP there was a meeting to consider the 'Non-Paper' (draft material not yet endorsed) that resulted from the CAN Equity Summit held in May. The process aims to establish an optimum global emissions scenario for avoiding "dangerous climate change" (i.e. the best possible pathway to stabilisation of greenhouse gasses), and then in a fair and equitable manner to determine the rights and responsibilities of the parties (countries which signed the UNFCCC) within that scenario. Basically this means working out the specifics of the 'common but differentiated responsibilities', including the necessary targets for industrialised countries and the extent of 'space for development' and recommended actions for developing countries. While the pursuit of equity requires that industrialised countries (the major cause of global warming) rapidly achieve deep cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions (the scientists suggest 60 - 80% within a generation), if there is to be any chance of eventually stopping the increase in global average temperature, the developing countries will need to take action as well. The sooner developing countries (DCs) integrate climate change issues into development planning, the less the cost and greater the public benefit will be. Equity also requires that national circumstances, including vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, inform the kind and level of action expected of DCs. One suggestion for breaking the persisting dead-lock between those calling for greater "participation of developing countries" and those insisting that the north show real achievements first, is to present the adoption of policies and measures (e.g. regulations), that are designed to achieve sustainable development but will also serve to mitigate or adapt to climate change, as commitments that should be recognised under the convention. This 'SD PAMs Approach' would give formal recognition to existing actions in DCs and some obligation for industrialised countries to provide financial support. One approach to energy is to develop policies to de-link economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions (or carbon-intensity) through both energy efficiency and using renewable energy (diversification); this is the core of what is called 'decarbonising the economy'. Another essential energy policy is subsidy reform - phasing out subsidies to conventional energy and introducing legitimate, including financial, support systems to achieve access to sustainable energy. Such policies would deliver substantial public benefits at the national level while also addressing possibly the most threatening global issue. SD PAMs should also address other issues to deliver both national and global benefits, e.g. product stewardship and ecologically sound waste management practices; comprehensive forest policies, including sustainably managed forests for biomass energy and non-energy wood products, forest conservation policies for valuable ecosystems, and providing for local ownership and management by indigenous/local populations; ecologically sound agriculture, food security and resource conservation policies and measures that support sustainable livelihoods, reduce the vulnerability of communities to climate change and mitigate GHG emissions. Article 4.3 of the UNFCCC calls for financial resources and technology transfer from industrialised countries to support mitigation activities in DCs. Rather than waiting for the Clean Development Mechanism (of the Kyoto Protocol) to provide some marginal contribution to clean energy development, we should be insisting that national policies with global benefits receive direct financial support. One such policy is due to be considered by cabinet any day now, South Africa's White Paper on the Promotion of Renewable Energy and Clean Energy Development (Part 1). SECCP convenes S-N-S Workshop in India SECCP held a workshop in New Delhi, prior to COP8 to explore the development of South-North-South NGO partnerships. Participants were invited to participate in an open-ended discussion of the potential for and possible nature of partnership arrangements for inter-regional co-operation on Sustainable Energy and Climate Change - linking Southern Africa with Southern Asia (South & South-East) with the participation of Northern, possibly Danish, partners. International negotiations and decisions on climate change will have profound impact on the structures of society, on economic and social development, as well as on the environment. International processes are impacted by an inherent North-South conflict, which at its worst pits the North seeking environmental decisions against the South wanting to promote development. The North is able to mobilise extensive human and financial resources both to official delegations and NGO participation on climate change issues. These inequalities will grow in the future as climate change and energy issues become more complex and comprehensive. Building alliances and partnerships between Southern and Northern NGOs will thus be increasingly important in order to optimise NGO influence and introduce new solutions. The idea of South-North-South partnerships is that while Southern NGOs can learn from each other to address common concerns and challenges, building solidarity around common objectives to strengthen advocacy and develop a stronger voice in international fora, there is also a need for information flow from South to North and financial support from North to South. Participants came from organisations ranging from a 'think-tank' to an implementation (project facilitation) agency; there was some divergence of interests between the policy-oriented organisations and those more concerned with practical demonstration and sharing /dissemination of experience. Participants were generally more interested in linking on-going work at the national level than initiating a project focusing on international negotiations. No specific ideas were tabled to take the initiative forward, but an area where partnership may be appropriate, (as opposed to networking and information-sharing), was explored in some detail: this consisted mostly of policy work, including deriving policy from practical experience in project implementation. There was interest in the impacts of energy sector restructuring - including but not limited to electricity supply and privatisation. A number of areas of interest were identified and clustered as follows:
A way forward for possible development of a project idea, centred on awareness and restructuring, was discussed. If Earthlife Africa Johannesburg is positive and interested parties contribute to a Project Idea Document, SECCP will convene a project development workshop in South Africa in February 2003. Sustainable Energy Policy Collaboration (SEPCo) Workshop In early November SECCP participated in the second South African SEPCo workshop convened to discuss and develop principles and plans for feasible instruments for more sustainable energy service delivery. Plenary sessions and two parallel workshops focused on principles for a regulation to foster electricity generation from renewable energies and on the design and implementation of energy centres and agencies. Civil society was well represented, as was the NER, but there was general disappointment that only one person from the DME attended parts of the proceedings on each day. A representative of the lead agent for SECCP's research study on Policies and Measures for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in South Africa reported on progress and explained the scenarios that are currently being modelled. The research study should be ready for public release by mid February, in time to inform input to the Strategy that will be developed by DME following adoption of the policy. Policies and economic instruments will be assessed separately and in combination, with legal analysis for consistency with current and emerging policy and legislation. Since the modelling of the scenarios will be using the same data and assumptions as the official Integrated Energy Plan and Electricity Outlook, we are hopeful that government will give due consideration to the results. (Note: hit your browsers refresh button to see the latest postings.) PAMs study to be under consideration for IPCC report SECCP's main focus research being undertaken by EDRC entitled "Policies and Measures for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency" will be completed by March 2003. It appears that the relevance of this study will extend beyond the boundaries of South Africa. At COP 8 the IPPC indicated that it would be interested in PAMs for the fourth assessment report since there is a growing belief that largest strategic area for greenhouse gas reduction will come from domestic policies and measures and not CDM type arrangements. The IPCC will over the next couple of years be reviewing published documents that relate to PAMs and prepare some analysis thereof. In other words, PAMs should receive greater importance in future as a means for climate change mitigation. Translated brochures available SECCP's brochures "Climate Change can be deadly"; "Renewable Energy is People's Power" and "Energy Efficiency is a Winner" have been translated into Zulu and South Sotho. If you would like copies, email Lerato on seccp@earthlife.org.za with your postal address and indicating how many copies you would like and what they will be used for. Research and Information co-ordinator position available As of the end of 2002, Erika Schutze will be leaving the project to pursue studies and freelance projects in Cape Town. The above post is available and the deadline for applications has been extended to November 22. This project aims to link renewable energy and energy efficiency to advocacy around climate change, to influence relevant development policies. Post requires: Matric & relevant tertiary qualification; driver's licence; communication skills incl. fluency in English and at least one other official language; good writing and computer skills; knowledge of relevant issues; a strong, documented track record and demonstrable skills; ability to share responsibilities; enthusiasm and commitment. Duties include: drafting advocacy campaign materials, policy alternatives and position papers; preparing publications for printing; local and international information dissemination/exchange; producing e-mail newsletter; organizing stakeholder workshops. Experience of energy sector and/or publishing and/or research management an advantage. Send CV and a letter of motivation (no certificates) to: seccp@earthlife.org.za or Fax (011) 339 3270 or P O Box 11383, Jhb, 2000. Earthlife Africa Jhb is an equal opportunity employer. |
|
| [previous] | [table of contents] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] | [next] |