Background
While Small Island Developing
States (SIDS) produce only a tiny fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions,
many, because of their location barely above sea level, are among the most
vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as sea level rise and extreme
weather conditions. Compounding
their climate change challenge, small island nations struggle with expensive
fossil fuel imports and an inability to supply electricity in rural areas.
However, these nations are especially suited to utilize combinations of modern
renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency due to the availability of
renewable energy resources and current energy consumption patterns.
The
Global Sustainable Energy Islands Initiative (GSEII), a consortium of
international NGOs and multi-lateral institutions, has been organized to support
the interest of all small island states and potential donors by bringing
renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, models, and concepts together
in a sustainable plan for small island nations. The GSEII seeks to showcase
national efforts to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Recent efforts by the GSEII have focused on the island nations of
St. Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica. Following
a collaborative process with senior policy makers and a wide range of energy
stakeholders in St. Lucia, a National Sustainable Energy Plan was adopted,
establishing aggressive targets for renewables and energy efficiency, and
setting the stage for significant changes in the energy sector. GSEII is currently working with Dominica and Grenada in the development
of similar Plans. Highlighting the
accomplishments of the GSEII and the collaborating countries, senior government
representatives from St. Lucia, Grenada and Dominica discussed their clean
energy commitments at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in
Johannesburg. Continuing efforts in
the region will include the organization of a regional conference on renewable
energy (Nov. 4-5; with Carilec - the regional association of electric utilities)
and additional bilateral initiatives.
|
Climate
Institute
1785
Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington,
D.C. 20036 USA
Phone:
1 202 547 0104
Fax:
1 202 547 0111
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.climate.org
Counterpart
International
1200
18th St., NW Suite 1100
Washington,
D.C. 20036 USA
Phone:
1
202 296 9676
Fax:
1
202 296 9679
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.counterpart.org
Energy
and Security Group
12200
Kyler Lane
Oak
Hill, Virginia 20171 USA
Phone:
1
703 715 0274
Fax:
1
703 715 0276
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.energyandsecuritygroup.org
|
International
Network for Sustainable Energy
Gl.
Kirkevej 56
DK-8530
Hjortshøj, Denmark
Phone: 45 86227000
Fax:45 86227096
E-mail: [email protected]
www.inforse.org
Organization
of American States
Unit
for Sustainable Development and Environment
1889
F Street, NW
Washington,
DC 20006
Phone:
1 202 458 6261/3964
Fax:
1 202 458-3560
E-mail:
[email protected];
[email protected]
www.oas.org/reia
Winrock
International
Clean
Energy Group
1621
North Kent St., Suite 1200
Arlington,
VA 22209 USA
Phone:
1
703 525 9430
Fax:
1
703 243 1175
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.winrock.org
|