Australia
Australia statement on Energy
Thank you Madam Chair
All governments are faced with the growing challenge of sustainably meeting the
energy needs of their economies. Australia recognises that access to appropriate
low cost and reliable energy technologies and services is necessary for achieving
sustainable development. International policy on this point has been agreed in
Agenda 21 in 1992, Rio+5 in 1997, CSD-9 in 2001, in Johannesburg in 2002, and
at the World Summit in 2005.
The policy has been agreed, but practical implementation lags behind. There is no single
solution to the challenge of providing access to low cost, clean energy services. All options,
including renewables, cleaner fossil fuels and nuclear, must remain open. Individual
countries must be able to tailor measures to suit their national geography, society and
economy.
It is clear that the best route to energy security for both energy importing and energy
exporting countries is through:
? Efficiently functioning markets
? Regulatory frameworks that ensure secure and predictable investment conditions
and which promote the efficient allocation of resources, and
? Concerted action on the development of new clean low emissions technologies that
enable the continued use of abundant and secure fossil fuels while meeting agreed
climate change objectives and supporting economic growth.
The International Energy Agency?s World Energy Outlook issued late last year clearly
shows that fossil fuels will remain the dominant source of energy to 2030.
Australia is pursuing a practical approach to drive the development and deployment of
practical low emission technologies, including cleaner fossil fuels. We are doing this in
partnership with international and regional partners. For example, the Asia- Pacific
Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP6), brings together key developed and
developing countries ? Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, and the US. In partnership
with the private sector, these Governments are working on pro-growth, technology-driven
solutions to climate change.
The APEC Energy Security Initiative (ESI), is another important forum for
partnerships in energy management.
Australia is also focusing efforts on energy efficiency - achieving gains delivered at a net
saving to the economy. Energy efficiency enhances not only energy security, but also
reduces infrastructure outlays, improves the productivity of industries and lowers
greenhouse gas emissions.
Most recently Australia has been active in working with other countries and multinational
industry to establish agreed world best regulatory standards, under the banner of a
community of practice. We will be sharing our experience on this issue at CSD 15.
Our experience suggests it is possible to reduce unintended trade barriers imposed by
differing national and regional standards through such a community of practice approach.
We would encourage other countries to maintain and enhance their energy efficiency
efforts and consider undertaking similar initiatives.
Thank you.
Thank you Madam Chair
All governments are faced with the growing challenge of sustainably meeting the
energy needs of their economies. Australia recognises that access to appropriate
low cost and reliable energy technologies and services is necessary for achieving
sustainable development. International policy on this point has been agreed in
Agenda 21 in 1992, Rio+5 in 1997, CSD-9 in 2001, in Johannesburg in 2002, and
at the World Summit in 2005.
The policy has been agreed, but practical implementation lags behind. There is no single
solution to the challenge of providing access to low cost, clean energy services. All options,
including renewables, cleaner fossil fuels and nuclear, must remain open. Individual
countries must be able to tailor measures to suit their national geography, society and
economy.
It is clear that the best route to energy security for both energy importing and energy
exporting countries is through:
? Efficiently functioning markets
? Regulatory frameworks that ensure secure and predictable investment conditions
and which promote the efficient allocation of resources, and
? Concerted action on the development of new clean low emissions technologies that
enable the continued use of abundant and secure fossil fuels while meeting agreed
climate change objectives and supporting economic growth.
The International Energy Agency?s World Energy Outlook issued late last year clearly
shows that fossil fuels will remain the dominant source of energy to 2030.
Australia is pursuing a practical approach to drive the development and deployment of
practical low emission technologies, including cleaner fossil fuels. We are doing this in
partnership with international and regional partners. For example, the Asia- Pacific
Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP6), brings together key developed and
developing countries ? Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, and the US. In partnership
with the private sector, these Governments are working on pro-growth, technology-driven
solutions to climate change.
The APEC Energy Security Initiative (ESI), is another important forum for
partnerships in energy management.
Australia is also focusing efforts on energy efficiency - achieving gains delivered at a net
saving to the economy. Energy efficiency enhances not only energy security, but also
reduces infrastructure outlays, improves the productivity of industries and lowers
greenhouse gas emissions.
Most recently Australia has been active in working with other countries and multinational
industry to establish agreed world best regulatory standards, under the banner of a
community of practice. We will be sharing our experience on this issue at CSD 15.
Our experience suggests it is possible to reduce unintended trade barriers imposed by
differing national and regional standards through such a community of practice approach.
We would encourage other countries to maintain and enhance their energy efficiency
efforts and consider undertaking similar initiatives.
Thank you.
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