Julia EICHHORST
Communication and Press Officer
Policy Coordination & Communication Unit
Email: jeichhorst@eurelectric.org
Tel.: +32 2 515 10 35
Sustainable Energy for All – EURELECTRIC pledges support for UN-backed EU campaign
16 April 2012
EURELECTRIC today announced the European electricity sector's support for the EU's 'Sustainable Energy for All' initiative. Access to sustainable energy is a key prerequisite to combating poverty and fostering growth in developing countries, and European electricity companies are already investing in many sustainable energy projects around the globe. In Laos for instance, French company EDF is the main shareholder in a dam that provides electricity for both the local population and neighbouring countries. Beyond the construction of the dam itself, the project has also put in place environment, social and health programmes to further support the sustainable development of local communities.
On the back of such examples, EURELECTRIC is looking to reinforce the dialogue between European electricity companies and the European Commission on the EU's 'sustainable energy for all' objectives: ensuring universal access to modern energy services, doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency, and doubling the share of renewables in the energy mix, all by 2030. EURELECTRIC's backing was announced by President Fulvio Conti at today's high-level conference with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso in Brussels. Mr Conti also stressed the crucial role of innovation in developing a more sustainable and green economy and eradicating poverty. EURELECTRIC has therefore made innovation one of its priorities for 2012 and will further investigate how it can best contribute to the UN's International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.
