NGO Intro Statement for IPM 2007 (Opening Session, 26 February 2007):
A Call for a New Paradigm
The combustion of fossil fuels is a key driver for climate change and atmospheric pollution.
Fossil fuel imports are increasingly indebted the least developed countries. The use and
development of nuclear energy facilities is neither safe, nor environmentally and economically
sound. Lack of access to energy services for a large part of the world?s population is a key
obstacle to a just and sustainable development, and to the reduction of poverty. The world lacks
decentralised modern energy, based on renewable sources for development and for poverty
reduction. All in all, the overwhelming majority of our energy systems are unsustainable.
NGOs are working for a just transition from fossil fuels and nuclear energy towards accessible,
affordable and efficient energy solutions. We believe that this transition must be based on a new
paradigm that includes increased use of the precautionary principle, sustainable development,
gender equity and social equity. We call upon countries and other stakeholders to join un in this
work. The development must include the following specific global policies:
1. Equitable and just access to energy services to fulfil basic needs of all citizens. This must
be introduced in energy policies with time bound targets and commitments, as an integrated
element of the Poverty Reduction Streategies (PRSPs) and National Strategies for Sustainable
Development (NSSDs), with focus on the poor and with institutionalised citizen involvement.
2. An immediate shift in energy funding to phase out subsidies to fossil fuel and nuclear
industries. These subsidies dramatically hamper sustainable development and should be
redirected to renewable energy and energy efficiency funding, including access to energy for the
poor.
3. To develop a comprehensive strategy on finance, redirecting the International Financial
Institutions (IFIs) and their funds to sustainable energy including the introduction of
strengthened micro-financing for new Renewables and energy efficiency.
4. To halt the development of nuclear facilities as they are neither safe, nor environmentally
and economically sustainable.
5. To set sustainability criteria for energy production and consumption, including the use of
bioenergy to avoid negative effects on food security, livelihood, biodiversity and the widening of
the gap between the haves and have-nots.
6. To promote clean public transport systems. Vehicles, particularly those driven by diesel
engines, are the main cause of urban air pollution.
7. To develop an ?indoor clean-air? health/environment policies that include access to
affordable, cleaner and environment-friendly cooking and heating facilities, such as efficient,
smokeless and cleaner-burning biomass stoves, biogas and solar cookers. Policies should include
the promotion of simple technologies for adequate ventilation of smoke from indoor fires.
8. To make available an adequate technology to curb burning of garbage waste heaps land
fills and should outlaw garbage incineration that emit toxic fumes.
9. To stabilize the climate by keeping man-made climate change well below 2OC as a global
average with emission limits based on equitable principles. Action is needed immediately to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases while simultaneously meet the demands of the Millenium
Development Goals.
10. To support the most vulnerable and poor communities in their efforts to adapt to climate
change.
11. To prevent the transfer of costs for mitigation of climate change to developing countries
through the Clean Development Mechanisms, and to support the development of socially and
environmentally sound CDM projects that respect the ?gold standard?.
12. To make financial instruments of governments more effective in promoting sustainable
policies and implement Environmental Fiscal Reforms (EFR).
We hope that we ? in cooperation with Governments and other stakeholders- can use the CSD to
kick-start the sustainable energy transition with renewed and concrete commitments to cooperate
internationally, nationally and locally based on the principle of common but differentiated
responsibility with the North extending technical assistance, building the capacity, sharing
technologies and providing financial support to the South. Undoubtedly, the world needs to act
beyond the current practices and definitely not with a ?business as usual? attitude. What the
planet needs is a new paradigm to address the problems in energy, industrial development, air
pollution and climate change. We need it now and the CSD has an important role to play in
attaining this mission.
