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International cooperation on energy efficiency: Working together for a low-carbon economy

This conference, organised in close cooperation with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on 28 May 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland, was the first step in a dialogue between governments, industry and other stakeholders to accelerate progress with energy efficiency as the core of an effective response to climate change. It was also a strengthening of the cooperation between international organisations acting on energy efficiency.

The Conference agreed to a set of recommendations, which the three organising institutions - the Energy Charter Secretariat, IEA and UNECE - agreed to consider in their relevant forums and develop appropriate next steps. These next steps will ensure a move from wide agreement on the need for action, to concrete steps to progress, based on priorities identified at the Conference.


Programme and Presentations


Welcome and Opening Statements

Marek Belka
Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

André Mernier
Secretary General, Energy Charter Secretariat

Walter Steinmann (in French)
State Secretary Energy, Switzerland

Didier Houssin
Director, Oil Markets and Emergency Preparedness, International Energy Agency


Keynote address: Energy efficiency and global action on climate change

Brice Lalonde
French Ambassador for Climate Change Negotiations


Session one: The drivers for energy efficiency and its role in a low-carbon economy

Chaired by Takekazu Kawamura, Chairman of the Energy Charter Conference

An international climate change regime: where does energy efficiency fit?
by Vitaly Matsarski, Coordinator, Reporting Data & Analysis Programme, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat

Energy efficiency for energy security
by Daojiong Zha, Professor, School of International Studies, Peking University

Energy efficiency past performance and future potential
by Richard Bradley, Head, Energy Efficiency and Environment Division, International Energy Agency


Session two: National perspectives on implementation - what can governments and industry do?

Chaired by Jean-Christophe Füeg, Chairman, Committee on Sustainable Energy, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Making Energy Efficiency work in Australia
by Anne Pellegrino, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency Branch, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

Making Energy Efficiency Work in Europe
by Fabrizio Barbaso, Deputy Director General for Energy, European Commission, DG-TREN

Making Energy Efficiency Work in Russia (speech delivered by Mikhail Soloviev, Head of Division)
by Sergei Mikhailov, Director, Department of State Energy Policy, Ministry of Industry and Energy

Making Energy Efficiency Work in Japan
by Takeshi Miki, Director, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Division, METI

Making Energy Efficiency Work in India
by Vaidhyanathan Raghuraman, Head, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Confederation of Indian Industry


Session three: Sectoral perspectives on implementation - what can governments and industry do?

Chaired by Richard Bradley, Head, Energy Efficiency and Environment Division, International Energy Agency

Making Energy Efficiency Work for Large Industries
by Russell Mills, Director, Climate Change and Energy Policy, Dow Chemicals

Making Energy Efficiency Work for Household Appliances
by Luigi Meli, General Director, European Committee of Manufacturers of Domestic Equipment

Making Energy Efficiency work in Transport
by Willie Tomboy, Director, Environmental Affairs, Toyota Europe

Making Energy Efficiency Work for Energy Suppliers
by Carlo Luzzatto, Director, Marketing and Business Development, Ansaldo Energia

Making Energy Efficiency Work for the Gas Industry and Consumers
by Alexander Karasevich, Director General, Promgaz


Session four: Common themes for international cooperation 

Discussion, questions and answers with speakers from Sessions two and three.


Concluding panel discussion: The benefits of international cooperation for energy efficiency - the way forward

Chaired by Frederic Romig, Director, Sustainable Energy Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Moderated by Dario Chello, Director, Energy Efficiency and Investment Directorate, Energy Charter Secretariat

Panelists

Jean-Christophe Füeg, Energy Charter PEEREA Working Group

Richard Bradley, Head of Energy Efficiency and Environment Division, International Energy Agency

Fabrizio Barbaso, Deputy Director General for Energy, European Commission

Zdravko Genchev, Vice-Chairman, UNECE EE21 Steering Committee