Ministers and government representatives from 78 countries on
Tuesday called for urgent efforts to increase the global share of
renewable energy in the total energy supply.
They made the call in the Beijing Declaration on Renewable
Energy for Sustainable Development, adopted at the conclusion of
the Beijing International Renewable Energy Conference 2005.
According to the declaration, increasing energy efficiency and
the use of renewables boast multiple benefits.
The benefits include accelerating the eradication of poverty,
increasing job opportunities, improving air quality and public
health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating climate change
and enhancing energy security.
The declaration points out that the doubling of oil prices in
less than two years has increased the economic risk of relying
primarily on imported energy.
By developing renewable energy such as wind power, hydropower
and solar energy, countries can create diversified energy
portfolios that are less vulnerable to wide price fluctuations.
The document says that the participating countries have agreed
to accelerate the research and development of renewable energy.
They will also strengthen support for the transfer of technologies
through North-South and South-South cooperation.
The developing countries will enhance capacity building, says
the document, including establishing markets for renewable energy
and increasing access to finance.
(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2005)