Cairo 2009
CENTRE PARTY (SWEDEN)
Energy efficiency
The world is currently experiencing both a shortage of energy supply and climate changes. The challenge in the years and decades to come is therefore twofold. In order to reduce carbon emissions, governments throughout the world need to focus more on renewable energy and encourage energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is the most durable way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and imports. Measures to improve energy efficiency and green technologies can provide new opportunities for the economy, such as the creation of green, sustainable jobs, in the current difficult situation.
The international liberal parties believe that a common approach worldwide for enhancing energy efficiency should be developed.
Considering that:
The European Union has a new ambitious energy policy, agreed by the European Council in March 2007, with the commitment to the ’20-20-20′ initiative: reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, increasing the share of renewables in the energy consumption to 20% compared to 8.5% today and improving energy efficiency by 20%, all by 2020.
However, to reach the objectives of sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply, a massive switch to improved energy efficiency also in other countries of the world is required.
A global agreement on climate change would create major new incentives for cooperation on energy efficiency. Energy efficiency should therefore be one of the main objectives of the world energy community in the coming years.
Noting that:
To avoid global temperature rising more than 2 degrees Celsius, drastic cuts in carbon emissions are required whereas using energy more efficiently is the most immediate and most cost-effective way.
Liberal International calls for:
