The ClimateWorks
Foundation announced today its commitment of up to U.S. $15 million
over the next three years to help India, China, Brazil and Mexico double
both their rate of improvement in energy efficiency and the share of
renewable energy in their energy portfolios by 2030. The funds support
the goals of Sustainable Energy for All, a United Nations initiative.
ClimateWorks will provide the funding to its international network of
nonprofit best practices institutions over three years. Direct grants of
U.S. $2 million per year will be supplemented by a commitment to match
funds from other donors for up to an additional $3 million per year. The
best practices institutions will use the funds to provide direct
technical support to the participating nations.
“The transfer of established best practices policies that help improve
energy efficiency and accelerate the deployment of clean, renewable
energy is at the core of ClimateWorks’ mission,” said ClimateWorks
Foundation Chairman and former Administrator of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) William K. Reilly. “With the ClimateWorks
Sustainable Energy for All commitment, we will ensure that many
fast-growing nations have access to these best practices and have the
technical assistance they need to implement them. We invite other donors
to join us in accelerating this effort.”
Mr. Reilly announced the funding commitment during the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, on the 20th
anniversary of the first Earth Summit, which established a set of goals
to help drive economic growth toward principles of sustainability.
The Sustainable Energy for All initiative was launched by U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. This global initiative brings together
governments, businesses and civil society groups in an unprecedented
effort to transform the world’s energy systems over the next 20 years.
The U.N. Secretary-General has set three objectives for the initiative,
all to be achieved by 2030: ensure universal access to modern energy
services, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency,
and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
The ClimateWorks Network organizations set to receive the funds include
the Regulatory Assistance Project, which specializes in reforming
electric utility policy to advance energy efficiency and renewable
energy; the International Council on Clean Transportation, which works
with vehicle regulators around the world to help improve vehicle fuel
efficiency; the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program,
which helps promote the manufacture and use of efficient electric
appliances; the Institute for Industrial Productivity, which helps
reduce energy waste in the industrial sector; the Global Buildings
Performance Network, which identifies best practices in the design and
enforcement of building energy codes; and the Institute for
Transportation and Development Policy, which advises cities and nations
on best practices in urban design to reduce vehicle use, enhance public
transit and encourage pedestrian-friendly cities.
“Since we met in Rio 20 years ago, we’ve learned a lot about what it
takes to steer nations toward sustainable economic development,” Mr.
Reilly said. “The ClimateWorks Network institutions we’re supporting
with the funds we’re committing today have been at the front lines of
efforts to enhance energy efficiency and promote clean, renewable
energy. We believe their skills and expertise can be put to broader use.”
About the ClimateWorks Foundation
The ClimateWorks
Foundation supports public policies that can prevent dangerous
climate change and promote global prosperity. ClimateWorks funds an
international network of institutions focused on the regions and sectors
responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions. The regions include
China, India, Europe, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Indonesia.
The sectors include power, transportation, buildings, appliances, land
use, and industry. Each year, in collaboration with its Network
partners, the ClimateWorks Foundation invests more than U.S. $150
million in initiatives that advance policies that will reduce carbon
emissions.
