Denmark
PLENARY STATEMENT BY DENMARK
on the 10th of May 2006 at the high-level meeting of
the 14th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development
Thank you Chairman,
I would like to align myself with the statement made by Austria on behalf of the European
Union.
Per capita consumption of energy in the industrialised countries is by far larger than in the
developing countries. The industrialised countries have been consuming in an unsustainable
manner for a long time. The unsustainability of this energy path is the main reason for the
current problems that we are facing. The task for the industrialised countries therefore should be
to identify and implement policies that can lead to the decoupling of economic growth from the
use of energy and emission of green house gasses.
At the same time the legitimate and necessary right of developing countries to economic growth
and increase in access to and consumption of energy has to be recognised . Therefore we need
political instruments that will improve less carbon intensive technologies which can avoid the
developing countries from repeating our mistakes.
Renewable energy and energy efficiency constitute an appropriate answer to the call for
increased access, improved energy security and reduced environmental degradation. Subsidies by
governments to the energy sector play a major role in the energy market. Without subsidies for
fossil fuels, renewable energy would be much more competitive, if the environmental and social
cost of energy are internalised. There is an urgent need to create a more level playing field for the
different types of energy sources in the energy market and Denmark believes that it is necessary
to change this imbalance. This would lead to a much stronger position of renewable energy in a
free energy market.
In furthering the global share of renewable energy there is also strong need for mechanisms that
allows for the sharing of knowledge and best practices, and coordinated approaches to renewable
energy challenges. Denmark believes that the Johannesburg Renewable Energy Coalition (JREC)
is a crucial instrument in that regard. Through JREC some 90 countries have committed
themselves to promote the renewable energy agenda in pursue of more sustainable energy
policies.
As one of its main objectives, JREC aims at proposing a model for appropriate and effective
follow-up arrangements after CSD 15 with the view to assess progress and advancing
collaboration between governments. We encourage governments to give priority to renewable
energy policies through integration into the energy mix and use JREC as a mechanism for
identifying the necessary strategies and policies.
Mr. Chairman,
Differentiated time-bound targets are crucial ? not only to promote sustainable growth ? but also
as a mechanism to guide business and industry decisions.
Moving from this review session to the policy decisions next year it is important to discuss
modalities for an effective review and follow-up arrangement to be agreed upon by CSD15.
Thank you
on the 10th of May 2006 at the high-level meeting of
the 14th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development
Thank you Chairman,
I would like to align myself with the statement made by Austria on behalf of the European
Union.
Per capita consumption of energy in the industrialised countries is by far larger than in the
developing countries. The industrialised countries have been consuming in an unsustainable
manner for a long time. The unsustainability of this energy path is the main reason for the
current problems that we are facing. The task for the industrialised countries therefore should be
to identify and implement policies that can lead to the decoupling of economic growth from the
use of energy and emission of green house gasses.
At the same time the legitimate and necessary right of developing countries to economic growth
and increase in access to and consumption of energy has to be recognised . Therefore we need
political instruments that will improve less carbon intensive technologies which can avoid the
developing countries from repeating our mistakes.
Renewable energy and energy efficiency constitute an appropriate answer to the call for
increased access, improved energy security and reduced environmental degradation. Subsidies by
governments to the energy sector play a major role in the energy market. Without subsidies for
fossil fuels, renewable energy would be much more competitive, if the environmental and social
cost of energy are internalised. There is an urgent need to create a more level playing field for the
different types of energy sources in the energy market and Denmark believes that it is necessary
to change this imbalance. This would lead to a much stronger position of renewable energy in a
free energy market.
In furthering the global share of renewable energy there is also strong need for mechanisms that
allows for the sharing of knowledge and best practices, and coordinated approaches to renewable
energy challenges. Denmark believes that the Johannesburg Renewable Energy Coalition (JREC)
is a crucial instrument in that regard. Through JREC some 90 countries have committed
themselves to promote the renewable energy agenda in pursue of more sustainable energy
policies.
As one of its main objectives, JREC aims at proposing a model for appropriate and effective
follow-up arrangements after CSD 15 with the view to assess progress and advancing
collaboration between governments. We encourage governments to give priority to renewable
energy policies through integration into the energy mix and use JREC as a mechanism for
identifying the necessary strategies and policies.
Mr. Chairman,
Differentiated time-bound targets are crucial ? not only to promote sustainable growth ? but also
as a mechanism to guide business and industry decisions.
Moving from this review session to the policy decisions next year it is important to discuss
modalities for an effective review and follow-up arrangement to be agreed upon by CSD15.
Thank you
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