The World Future Council: International Year of Sustainable Energy for All

International Year of Sustainable Energy for All

It’s the year 2012 and still more than 1.6 billion people around the world have no access to electricity and some 2.4 billion people rely on traditional biomass, including wood, for cooking and heating. Reason enough for the United Nations to declare 2012 the “International Year of Sustainable Energy for All”. Thus the UN recognizes the importance of energy access for sustainable economic development and supports the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Find all information about the initiative and its goals on the UN website: sustainableenergyforall.org.

Power to the People

We need bold solutions to solve the problems of the world. Therefore the WFC focuses on the promotion of renewable energies as well as on a rapid transition to efficient energy production and energy consumption.

Especially Africa faces big challenges but also great opportunities. 650 million people live without access to energy on the African continent, at least 80 percent depend on wood and charcoal for their energy supply. Hospitals, schools and private households have to get by without light and electricity. A serious obstacle to development – but also a huge opportunity to supply vast parts of Africa right from the outset of electrification with renewable energy.

Renewable and decentralized energy production has environmental and economic benefits. On top of such it also allows the population to be a market participant and independent of electricity utilities, in other words “Power to the People”: the guiding principle for us at WFC in the year 2012.

What We Do

Global Platform: African Renewable Energy Alliance

The African Renewable Energy Alliance [AREA] is a global platform for policy makers, business, civil society and academia to exchange information and consult about policies, technologies and financial mechanisms for the accelerated uptake of renewable energies in Africa. In the quest for sustainable solutions at regional, national and international level, AREA plays a catalytic role
in promoting knowledge transfer and international cooperation.

Founded in Ethiopia in October 2009 by the World Future Council, this member-driven network comprises of some 700 members from 70 countries. AREA members share information, knowledge and experience via an online platform and monthly phone discussions, meet for international AREA conferences and workshops and present their positions at relevant conventions and forums.

Please visit area-net.org available in English, French and Portuguese.

“In the question of access to energy, Africa now has a huge opportunity to leapfrog a fossil fuel based economic development."

Ansgar Kiene, Director World Future Council Africa, and Coordinator, African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA)

“Africa is already suffering the negative impacts of climate change. It is a challenge finding sustainable substitutes for fuel wood and charcoal to counter deforestation. This is why renewable, decentralized energy is absolutely essential for sustainable development. The knowledge and information exchange enabled by AREA will help us to find the best policy solutions to reach this goal.”

Wisdom Ahiataku Togobo,
Head of Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy, Ghana

“Renewable energy is the solution that needs to be phased in gradually to allow developing countries to integrate and diversify their energy resources. AREA needs to be strengthened and supported to create an enabling environment to network, share international best practice and promote economic integration in the African continent.”

Hon. Mrs. Elisabeth Thabethe,
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, South Africa

Post-Kyoto-Era: Climate Change in Africa

The Kyoto-protocol will expire in 2012. We need basic conditions for climate protection beyond that date. The conference “Climate Finance & Carbon Markets Africa” endorsed by the WFC, which takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from January 24th to 25th, will be dedicated to these challenges. The participants will focus mainly on the outcomes of COP 17 and their significance for the African continent which already suffers disproportionately from the effects of climate change.

Our Africa-Director, Ansgar Kiene, will present finance possibilities for the implementation of renewable energy as part of the event. We are convinced: Africa has enormous potential for the new technologies, and it is precisely this which must be made visible and its implementation encouraged.

For detailed information please visit "Climate Finance & Carbon Markets Africa".

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