REEEP

Martin Hiller, new DG of REEEP

Vienna, 15.12.2011 - REEEP International Secretariat

After a hectic first two weeks with REEEP, Martin Hiller took time out to answer a few questions about the outcome of COP17, his first impressions of the organisation, his own background as a climate campaigner, and the key challenges he believes the Partnership is now facing . . .

Q: Before we get into your background, you’ve just come back from Durban.  How do you think the outcome of COP17 can support REEEP’s mission?

A: Well, first of all it’s of course critical that the entire UNFCCC process has stayed alive. The overall pace is extremely frustrating to many of us, but this also reflects the fact that climate negotiations are not just technical ones - they also reflect the geopolitical realities and the fact that climate change may be the first global challenge that simply CAN only be managed jointly.

Despite this, on the technical front there was actually some progress.  The basic mechanisms for the Green Climate Fund have been agreed, and we’ll watch with great interest how that actually takes form.  The development of the Clean Technology Centre and Network promises to boost cooperation on technology transfer globally, and REEEP will seek engage with this process wherever we can. And the Kyoto approach remains alive though a lot of work will have to be done to make it more effective.

Q: You’ve been on board officially for just two weeks now, but what are your very first impressions about REEEP and its strengths?

A: What strikes me is how REEEP transcends the clean energy challenge; it’s a holistic approach that also looks at activating stakeholders, analysing and sharing project outcomes, at funding tipping point projects, and at providing the reegle IT platform as a dissemination and capacity-building tool.  For me, this linkage of projects and their outcomes with such an amplification system is one of the things that makes REEEP unique, and a strength I intend to enhance.

And I’m impressed by the team of highly qualified and motivated individuals.  In Durban I had the chance to meet with several of the Regional Secretariats, and here in Vienna I’ve spoken with each team member individually. Our discussions have been open, frank, and encouraging.

Q: Can you tell us one example of something you found really fascinating?
A: I met with some of the project developers who have benefited from REEEP support in the past, and was impressed with their commitment to go beyond aid to find commercial propositions that could work for people in poor and remote areas, for families earning as little as 20 dollars a month, or even for people with no financial possibilities at all. Investors tend to shy away from so-called “high risk” countries or regions, but here are people providing essential clean energy services to exactly those consumers, and doing it as a commercial proposition. Such great initiatives need replication and multiplication, and REEEP may be able to scale up its help here. 

Q: You’re joining REEEP after a long career with WWF.  How has that formed you? 

A: I’ve always wanted to move from understanding to action, and have used communications and campaigns to accelerate such progress. I was first in understanding the potential for environment communications in Brussels, and hence WWF became the first environmental NGO to campaign at the European level. My global climate change role with WWF emerged from this – I was keen to engage with climate and energy policy because I felt it had the greatest potential to move forward on sustainable development.

COP15 in Copenhagen was the high point of our efforts, where for a brief moment we thought that a legally-binding, comprehensive climate deal might be within immediate grasp.  But it was also the event that required a lot of soul-searching in the aftermath, trying to find our feet again in terms of the process. I guess it also provoked a more private reappraisal about what I personally have to contribute.  

Q: What do you see as the most important tasks for REEEP over the next six months?

A: When we talk about clean energy, we mean the product of providing renewable sources, stepping up energy efficiency, and also about providing access to energy. REEEP’s role is to act as a booster – we aren’t aiming to compete with like-minded organisations, but much rather to help fill the gaps and provide support; and in this fast-growing market we have a lot of opportunities.

Clearly REEEP’s major challenge right now is to channel more funding into those custom-made, precisely focussed projects that can act as tipping points and accelerators in clean energy development. So we want to secure additional funding in the short term, and at the same time map out a clear strategy for REEEP that builds on its strengths and provides a viable long-term outlook.

The Clean Energy Ministerial in London in April and the Rio +20 summit in June are both critical opportunities to highlight REEEP’s ten year track record of success - and just as importantly to make a convincing case to funders for the future.

Q: Who might those funders be?

A: Obviously, national governments are likely to be a major component, but there are significant new opportunities offered by facilities like the International Climate Fund (ICF), by organisations such as the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), by charitable foundations and other multilateral and bilateral aid agencies. Both governments and funds should see REEEP as an enabler with strong project understanding and strong communications skills that helps them to make sure their funding is effective.

Q: What’s the most important message you’d like to leave REEEP stakeholders with right now as we head into 2012?

A: REEEP stands for opportunity in climate mitigation and clean energy development: we have considerable strengths, built up over an extended period, and we strongly believe in playing a role in creating the clean energy world. We are going to hammer out the new REEEP strategy over the next few months – so get in touch, work with us, help us help people to reap the benefits of clean energy.