Iceland
The Permanent Mission of Iceland
to the United Nations
Statement by
H.E. Sigridur Anna Thordardottir,
Minister for the Environment of Iceland
at the
High-Level Segment of the 14th Session
of the Commission on Sustainable Development
New York, 10 May 2006
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
_________________________________________________________
The Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations
800 Third Ave. 36th fl. - Tel 212-593-2700. - Fax 212-593-6269
Mr. Chairman,
For the majority of people on this planet, the question of development is of primary
importance. Eliminating poverty is not only a goal of the world?s poorest, but for all
countries.
Climate change is another challenge that merits our full attention.
These two challenges must be tackled at the same time. This requires new thinking,
better policies and a stronger push for cleaner technology. This is especially important in
the field of energy, which is the bigge st sector contributing to climate change.
Iceland?s journey from poverty to economic growth was mostly fuelled by harnessing the
country?s natural wealth, including its renewable energy sources.
Today geothermal energy and hydropower account for more th an 70 percent of Iceland?s
primary energy consumption. The use of these energy sources is not only positive for the
economy, but also in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
A low carbon road to development is a possibility for many countries, especialy if we fix
some of the bumps on the road.
Geothermal energy is a potential energy source in many quarters of the world.
Assessments indicate that using existing geothermal technology could provide adequate
energy to six hundred million people. Why are we not using this energy source to a
greater extent?
There are numerous obstacles facing geothermal in particular and renewable energy in
general. The global energy infrastructure is still designed for fossil fuels, and cleaner
energy faces an uphill struggle.
Governments, industry and development funding agencies must work harder to promote
technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is good not only for combating
climate change, but also for sustainable development.
Iceland holds high expectations for CSD 14 and 15.
We must use this occasion to present opportunities for making the energy sector more
sustainable.
My government would like to see policies designed and implemented that speed up the
development of climate -friendly technolog y in fields such as geothermal energy.
Hydrogen could also be a key component in clean, sustainable energy systems in the
future.
We have made presentations on these technologies here at this CSD session, and look
forward to working with others ? in government and industry ? who are working on
cleaner energy technology and policies.
There is no magic solution to combating climate change. It will require a large menu of
different options. This session of CSD is a good opportunity to present these options. Our
task now is to define the path towards a cleaner energy future and agree on measures to
follow that path.
to the United Nations
Statement by
H.E. Sigridur Anna Thordardottir,
Minister for the Environment of Iceland
at the
High-Level Segment of the 14th Session
of the Commission on Sustainable Development
New York, 10 May 2006
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
_________________________________________________________
The Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations
800 Third Ave. 36th fl. - Tel 212-593-2700. - Fax 212-593-6269
Mr. Chairman,
For the majority of people on this planet, the question of development is of primary
importance. Eliminating poverty is not only a goal of the world?s poorest, but for all
countries.
Climate change is another challenge that merits our full attention.
These two challenges must be tackled at the same time. This requires new thinking,
better policies and a stronger push for cleaner technology. This is especially important in
the field of energy, which is the bigge st sector contributing to climate change.
Iceland?s journey from poverty to economic growth was mostly fuelled by harnessing the
country?s natural wealth, including its renewable energy sources.
Today geothermal energy and hydropower account for more th an 70 percent of Iceland?s
primary energy consumption. The use of these energy sources is not only positive for the
economy, but also in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
A low carbon road to development is a possibility for many countries, especialy if we fix
some of the bumps on the road.
Geothermal energy is a potential energy source in many quarters of the world.
Assessments indicate that using existing geothermal technology could provide adequate
energy to six hundred million people. Why are we not using this energy source to a
greater extent?
There are numerous obstacles facing geothermal in particular and renewable energy in
general. The global energy infrastructure is still designed for fossil fuels, and cleaner
energy faces an uphill struggle.
Governments, industry and development funding agencies must work harder to promote
technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is good not only for combating
climate change, but also for sustainable development.
Iceland holds high expectations for CSD 14 and 15.
We must use this occasion to present opportunities for making the energy sector more
sustainable.
My government would like to see policies designed and implemented that speed up the
development of climate -friendly technolog y in fields such as geothermal energy.
Hydrogen could also be a key component in clean, sustainable energy systems in the
future.
We have made presentations on these technologies here at this CSD session, and look
forward to working with others ? in government and industry ? who are working on
cleaner energy technology and policies.
There is no magic solution to combating climate change. It will require a large menu of
different options. This session of CSD is a good opportunity to present these options. Our
task now is to define the path towards a cleaner energy future and agree on measures to
follow that path.
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