Sustainable Energy for All at G20 Energy Ministers Meeting

29- 30 June 2016 - Beijing

Sustainable Energy for All will attend the upcoming G20 Conference on Energy Access and the G20 Energy Ministers Meeting in Beijing. The two events will focus on sustainable energy access, energy efficiency, and renewables. Rachel Kyte, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All, will deliver a keynote speech entitled “Demand and Current Policies for Energy Access”. She will also moderate a session on “Best Practice and Action” and will feature as a panel speaker in a session entitled “Financing and Business Models for Improving Energy Access Conditions”.

Why is G20`s dedication to global sustainable development agenda and energy access vital? First, because the G20 countries – 20 of the world's major economies – account for 80% of current renewable electricity capacity globally. Secondly they hold 75% of the total global potential for renewables, making them key players in mitigating climate change. It was under China's leadership that the G20 issued its first Presidency Statement on Climate Change, committing to signing the Paris Agreement, and bringing the Agreement into force as soon as possible. The G20 is working on an action plan on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, putting the development agenda at the heart of the global macro-economic policy framework.

The energy portfolio is increasing in importance. Already in 2014 in Brisbane, Australia, the G20 agreed to increased collaboration on energy as one of their priorities and endorsed the G20 Principles on Energy Collaboration. The G20 is now taking this to another level by giving special attention to low-income and developing countries, SMEs, energy access in Africa as well as women and youth employment. All of this is demonstrating the G20’s determination in implementing the SDGs and deepening cooperation on development. Strengthening cooperation on energy access, renewable energy and energy efficiency to ensure green, balanced and sustainable development will be at the heart of G20 efforts, as at present, 1.1 billion people in the world have no access to electricity and energy poverty is recognized as a  serious challenge to the developing countries.

Last year Sustainable Energy for All crafted an Energy Access Action Plan for the G20 group of major economies, as G20 leaders agreed to work together on universal energy access. The plan, written in close collaboration with the African Union and African Development Bank, was presented to the G20’s Energy Sustainability Working Group in Izmir, Turkey. This Energy Access Action Plan aims to strengthen G20 collaboration on energy access issues in a flexible way, taking into account existing initiatives to tackle energy poverty.

The Plan was adopted by the G20 last year and had received support from the International Energy Agency (IEA), World Bank, Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), International Energy Forum (IEF), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), International Gas Union (IGU), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (Global LEAP), European Union Energy Initiative Partnership Dialogue Facility (EUEI PDF), the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP), the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Energy Charter.

For more information on the G20 please see:

http://www.g20.org/English/index.html 



http://www.g20.org/English/G20Calendar/201512/t20151231_2098.html