Speech prepared for delivery at the 12th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM12) at the plenary session on “Ambition into action–turning a year of ambition into a decade of delivery”.
Minister Juan Carlos Jobet, Minister of Energy for Chile
Excellencies, friends
Unless we transform our energy systems, we are headed for a major climate crisis – with massive negative impacts for human health, for climate, and for nature and biodiversity. The science is absolutely clear that we need to reduce emissions by 45 percent by 2030. Accounting for 78 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the G20 carries special responsibility here.
We need clean and efficient energy to deliver these reductions – while ending energy poverty for hundreds of millions of people. To accelerate action, we must use COVID-19 stimulus and recovery packages to deploy existing clean energy technology and bring new technologies online.
Technologies exist already – use them.
In the IEA’s recent net-zero pathway, most of the reductions in CO2 emissions between now and 2030 are based on current technologies. We are talking not just about solar and wind, but systems like District Energy – on which UNEP is supporting Chile’s Ministry of Energy.
Technologies that improve the efficiency of every appliance and building that uses energy are key. Energy efficiency is an important short-term measure to reduce energy demand while we shift to renewables, and a long-term way to reduce pressure on grids. We need to make it a much greater part of the mix.
But we need more technological solutions – so invest in them
Looking out to 2050, almost half of the emissions reductions in the IEA pathway come from new technologies. But we also need to ensure that new technologies are designed with circularity in mind to reduce the environmental footprint of technology. So, governments must increase their spending on research and development and deploying clean tech.
But smart technologies should also use nature-based solutions – use it
This tech should include solutions that are nature-based and sustainable, such as natural shading and green roofs.
Access to financing for technologies is vital
New energy technologies need to flow to developing and emerging economies, along with the funding that makes their deployment possible, or it simply won’t solve our climate challenge
Clean and efficient energy is one of our best bets to bequeath future generations a healthy and sustainable planet. We have the tools and know-how to achieve a net-zero future for people and for planet. We must use them.
Thank you.
Executive Director
