REEEP

REEEP attracts hundreds at COP15

Copenhagen, 11.12.2009 - REEEP International Secretariat

In a very crowded environment of activities around COP15, nearly 200 people attended the REEEP-SouthSouth North side event on accelerating low carbon energy development.

A range of speakers covered many aspects of the low carbon development challenge. Mark Fogarty, CEO and Director of Greenbank Capital, outlined several encouraging examples from the Pacific Region.

Oliver Knight, Energy Advisor, DFID, UK discussed his government's Advanced Market Commitments for low carbon technologies.

Terje Osmundsen, Vice President, Scatec Solar highlighted how solar power can make a real difference in developing countries. A particularly interesting example here was solar power to complement or replace the diesel power in the nearly half million mobile phone towers in developing countries.

Stefan Raubenheimer, CEO of the SouthSouthNorth Trust and Stephen Thorne, that organisation's Technology Transfer and Receptivity Programme Director highlighted sustainable settlements efforts.

Prior to this official side event, nearly one hundred guests thronged through the Carlsberg Brewery Visitor Center on the evening of Wednesday, 9th December to find out more about REEEP and to talk with representatives of REEEP's six Regional Secretariats. Each of the Secretariats had selected two high-profile projects to emphasise on their own displays and in discussions with the interested public.

"With the abundance of side events around COP15, it is truly gratifying to see such an interest in REEEP, and in the fact we have a mature, functioning structure that successfully supports low-carbon energy around the world," notes Marianne Osterkorn, REEEP's Director General.

On Thursday evening, the Energy Efficiency Coalition-sponsored discussion on the hidden mitigation potential for efficiency in buildings also drew a standing-room only crowd. Paul Waide, Director at Navigant Consulting outlined how agreement on several key energy efficiency policy recommendations could contribute to a major agreement in Copenhagen.  He was followed by Ken Mentzer who outlined net zero energy home examples from around the world. Robert Allender gave an overview of the vast untapped Asian potential for energy efficiency in buildings. And Mr. Huang Ming, CEO of Himin Solar presented his company's vision for China's low-carbon building path.  The meeting concluded with a plea to negotiators to include policy measures on building energy efficiency in a framework agreement.

REEEP also has a small exhibition stand (position H-040-C) at COP15 jointly with Gold Standard.