German Environment Minister hails IRENA efforts in developing renewable energy sources

Abu Dhabi, Jan 13, 2013 (WAM) - German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier has stressed the importance of forthcoming IRENA meeting, which will bring together the policymakers and high-level representatives of industry, the scientific sector and civil society from all over the world. "We know that if we carry on with business as usual we will not be able to stop climate change or prevent a massive increase in sea levels, and droughts will become a threat to survival in an increasing number of regions in the world. We therefore need a fundamental paradigm shift towards a green economy, "he added. The German minister was speaking during the first session of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. ahead of the World Future Energy Summit. Delivering the speech titled: "Renewable energies are the future", Altmaier enquired, "How can we satisfy the energy demands of our growing economies in 10, 20 and in 30 years time without posing an elementary threat to our natural foundations of life? This is one of the key political challenges at the beginning of the 21st century." He warned if the world carries on with business as usual it will not be able to stop climate change or prevent a massive increase in sea levels, and droughts will become a threat to survival in an increasing number of regions in the world. The German minister underlined that "We therefore need a fundamental paradigm shift towards a green economy. Technologically speaking we are already in a position to use raw materials and resources much more intelligently and efficiently than we have done in the past - thus creating a green economy that decouples growth from resource consumption, protects the climate and safeguards the natural foundations of life on our planet." He noted that the trend towards a green economy can already be clearly seen today. In 2011 for the first time ever, more wind farms, solar parks, hydropower plants and biogas installations were built worldwide than coal-fired power plants. "Renewable energies are essential for a reliable, affordable and clean energy supply. In particular wind and solar energy are the way forward, " the German minister said, noting that 118 countries have now adopted national expansion targets for renewable energies, and worldwide over 3.5 million people work in the renewables sector. He noted that the outlook for the future is very promising. According to the latest IPCC report, by 2050 almost 80 percent of global energy demand could be covered by renewables, and from a technological perspective this figure could even be much higher. Germany is moving forward on this path, he continued, indicating that by 2050 "we want to cut our greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95 percent. To this end, at least 80 percent of electricity is to come from renewable sources. But that is just the beginning. We want to heat our buildings in an environmentally sound way, we want our cars to run climate-friendly, above all, we want to achieve a completely new dimension of energy efficiency." The German minister underscored that the German automobile industry is investing in electric mobility, the construction sector is developing buildings that generate more electricity than they consume. "With the transformation of its energy system, Germany has paved the way for a new age of entrepreneurship." - Emirates News Agency, WAM