Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim on the issue of energy for all in Vietnam and Lao PDR:
Vietnam and Laos are both deeply committed to the question of energy supply in the future, and Norway supports prioritisation of renewable energy. The development of renewables such as hydro-power and bio-energy will not only contribute to local economic development but generate jobs and increase income for rural people.
Electricity failures create huge problems: for the girl who cannot attend evening classes, for the doctor who cannot keep medicines cool, for the businessman who has to close down production. Such problems are widespread in many developing countries. At the same time, there are many people who have no access to electricity at all. They depend on burning coal or other fuel for cooking and heating. The pollution this causes is not only dangerous for families in their homes; it is also detrimental for the climate. The introduction of more modern and efficient stoves can help. This would enable families to save time and money, and breathe cleaner air in their homes, at the same time as greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Energy is hope: hope for economic development, for a better future. Together with its partners, Norway is working to establish an international energy and climate initiative to increase access to energy services and limit greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector in developing countries. This initiative will be presented at the conference entitled “Energy for all – financing access for the poor” in Oslo 10 - 11 October. The conference is being arranged in cooperation between Norway and the International Energy Agency (IEA). Norway warmly welcomes the high-level participation of Laos and Vietnam at the conference; especially as we celebrate respectively 20 and 40 years of diplomatic bilateral relations this year.
Erik Solheim (furthest to the right), the Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development, is attending the "Energy for All - Financing Access for the Poor" conference in Oslo in October 2011, here together with the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Photo: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign AffairsToday, 1.4 billion people lack electricity. That is 20% of the world’s population. Many countries also experience frequent power cuts due to an overburdened grid and inefficient energy use. Better energy systems would benefit everyone, as well as improving the economy and the environment.
Energy for all is an important goal. This means considerably more than just providing each family with a light bulb and the opportunity to charge a mobile phone. It means creating jobs, strengthening the economy and making it possible for doctors to use lifesaving equipment and medicines. It also means giving people access to new, clean cooking facilities. Today, around 1.5 million people – mainly women and children – die due to the cooking facilities in their homes.
If we are to achieve energy for all – including for industry – we must plan 10–20 years ahead. Electricity consumption will increase over these years, at the same time as there is considerable potential for using electricity more efficiently. Without a plan for improving efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions will increase.
In order to achieve the goal of access to more sustainable forms of energy, efforts are needed from many parties. The countries concerned must give priority to this sector and provide a good framework for investment. Companies must identify opportunities. Rich countries and the major international institutions must play their part, and so must NGOs by providing information and implementing concrete measures to increase access and improve efficiency.
Norway would like to play a leading role in this work. We would like to take part in the financing of energy developments in other countries based on the results achieved in terms of increased energy access and reduced emissions for the country as a whole. We will also encourage companies to invest in enterprises that increase energy access in poor countries.
If the countries themselves, the donors, the international institutions and the business sector join forces in putting energy for all on the agenda, it will be possible to achieve this aim. Political will is vital for change, and we have enough examples that show that it is possible. We therefore hope that this effort will be successful. Energy for all represents hope for a better future – for all. And together we can make it happen.
For more information on "Energy for All - Financing Access for the Poor", see the official website.