PRESS RELEASE INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY NGO RENEWABLE ENERGY SUMMIT May 20-21, 1994 New York, USA Issues of Employment From 20-21 May 1994 the Non Government Organizations (NGOs) from around the world met in New York to discuss issues of sustainable development and the interlinkages to renewable energy technologies. This activity was coordinated by the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), and sponsored by a number of organizations, such as the International Fund for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation, the Swedish International Development Authority, United States Agency for International Development, US Department of Energy and the World Resources Institute. The NGO Renewable Energy Summit is part of the International Solar Energy Society's ISES 2000 Initiative. The main objectives of this Initiative are to: Influence the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) to more seriously address the impact of energy use within the context of the CSD agenda. Raise awareness amongst the NGO community and governments about the benefits and potentials of renewable energy technologies, and how they can operate to assist in programme delivery for national and global issues of sustainable population growth. The ISES NGO Summit drew attention to the critically important connections between renewable energy and sustainable development. In doing so, it built upon the extensive knowledge and experience which major NGOs from around the world bring to the environmental and development issues central to the CSD and Agenda 21. The issues discussed were not solely renewable energy, but also on the issues of employment which impact upon energy requirements and are impacted upon by the supply of energy. Unemployment is high in many parts of the world. In many regions, especially in developing countries, there is very little industry or opportunities for wealth creation outside often limited agriculture activities. Unemployment leads to poverty, malnutrition and other health and social problems. Reliance on imported energy fuels creates severe trade deficits for many countries, draining their financial reserves and limiting their capacity for infrastructure development and wealth creation. Renewable energy technologies, such as solar hot water systems, biogas digesters, wind pumps, solar stills can be made in all countries, as the technologies do not require high tech plant and equipment and huge investment sums. Balance of systems components, such as pumps, inverters, frames, casings, wiring etc can also be made in developing countries, thus adding wealth in terms of increased employment, increased labour skills and increased sustainable energy products on the market. As renewable energy systems are decentralized, it is possible fort heir manufacture to be decentralized as well, supported by a local infrastructure for maintenance, repair and financing, all adding to employment opportunities outside large urban areas and assisting in the reduction of migration from rural to urban areas. However, to date, developing countries tend to follow the western model of industrialization and seek large, cola-fired or nuclear power capabilities. This path creates less long-term employment, skills base and increases economic dependence on developed countries and international lending institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Utilities in developing countries tend to be under-financed and over-stretched. Financing is geared towards low employment, centralized generating options. International loans for this kind of energy development reduces capital available to build local infrastructures and create employment and a solid skills base in the country. Utilities need to consider renewable energy options most appropriate for all countries, and act accordingly. For example, in The Netherlands, the government, the utility and the solar industries are working towards a common policy for installing solar water heating systems and PV panels [solar electricity panels] on rooftops in both grid-connected and remote situations. `The areas occupied to generate power by means of hydro is usually ten times more than by means of solar energy', said Erik Lysen, NOVEM, The Netherlands. `By putting PV [solar electric panels] on rooftops, we can make use of existing space and bring power to where it is needed.' The utility and government of Mexico, under the PRONASOL programme for under-developed regions, is assisting in rural electrification schemes using PV where grid-connection is not a possibility within ten years. In his address to the Summit, Dr K Topfer, Minister for the Environment in Germany and new Chairperson for the CSD stated `We are separating ourselves from nature and this is always combined with intensively using energy. Rio created a new spirit of partnership in this world, but we must realise that sustainable development is first of all linked with the developed countries.' Participating NGOs on issues of employment were Development Dialogue (Zimbabwe), SESSA Co-ordinator of Development NGOs (South Africa), Worldwatch Institute (USA), Earth Savers Population Communications International (Philippines), Centre for Advanced Studies (Bangladesh), President's Council on Sustainable Development (USA), Earth Savers Population Communications International (Philippines), Earth Council (Costa Rica) FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jenniy Gregory, ISES, UK: Tel. 44-734-73 0073, Fax. 44-734-730820 National Section, ISES, NOTES: 1. The International Solar Energy Society (ISES) was formed in 1954, as a non-profit organisation, to provide a forum for scientific exchange in the field of solar energy. It is an accredited Non-Government Organisation (NGO) with the United Nations Economic & Social Committee (ECOSOC), and is widely regarded as the foremost global organisation promoting the development and utilization of renewable energies. ISES is now active in over 105 countries world-wide. Its membership includes eminent scientists and researchers, plus many other professionals who are active within the field of renewable energies. It also has members from industry and other private and public organizations. 2. The NGO Renewable Energy Summit was the first in a series of events which are aimed to impact upon the CSD and national governments. Through ISES's new regional offices, further conferences are planned for South Africa, Europe (Greece) and South America (Argentina). These conferences will draw from the conclusions and insights emerging from the NGO Summit in order to identify actions of regional consequence. 3. Technologies which are directly or indirectly fuelled by the sun and which minimise the consequences of energy use can provide sustainable solutions for the supply of energy in both industrialised and developing countries. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies have many applications world-wide, and provide an immediate and sustainable way of providing power for uses such as telecommunications, homes, hospitals and health centres in developing countries. Solar drying techniques can be used to dry fruit and vegetables. Solar stills provide fresh water. Solar cookers do not emit pollution or contribute to forest degradation. Clean solar systems can be designed to contribute to the electricity grid (such as PV architecturally integrated into buildings; large centralized solar power stations; landfill gasifiers), power electric vehicles; and provide heat for industrial and domestic applications. In all regions, solar architecture can provide comfortable buildings which are inexpensive to heat and cool and which are comfortable to live and/or work in. 4. The ISES 2000 Initiative, Initiatives of ISES & Recommendations to the CSD is available upon request. Photographs and slides of renewable energy technologies are also available. 5. ISES does not consider large scale hydro-electric power plants to be sustainable or renewable, as they take up vast amounts of land, often displace local peoples, destroy the local environment and effect ecological changes in the land around them and downstream.