Ávarp umhverfisráðherra á CSD 14, 10. maí 2006

CSD 14 – 10.-12. maí 2006

Mrs. Sigríður Anna Þórðardóttir, Minister for the Environment, Iceland

Mr. Chairman,

For the majority of people on this planet, the question of development is of primary importance. Eliminating poverty is not only a goal of the world’s poorest, but for all countries.

Climate change is another challenge that merits our full attention.

These two challenges must be tackled at the same time. This requires new thinking, better policies and a stronger push for cleaner technology. This is especially important in the field of energy, the biggest sector contributing to climate change.

Iceland´s journey from poverty to economic growth was mostly fuelled by harnessing the country´s wealth, including its renewable energy sources. Today geothermal energy and hydropower account for more than 70 percent of Iceland´s primary energy consumption. The use of these energy sources is not only positive for the economy, but also in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.

A low carbon road to development is, however, a possibility for many countries, provided we create an enabling environment for them.

Geothermal energy is a potential energy source in many quarters of the world. Assessments indicate that using existing geothermal technology could provide adequate energy to six hundred million people. Why are we not using this energy source to a greater extent?

To take one example, geothermal energy is a potential energy source in many quarters of the world. Assessments indicate that using existing geothermal technology could provide adequate energy to perhaps six hundred million people. Why are we not using this energy source to a greater extent?

There are numerous obstacles facing geotermal in particular and renewable energy in general. The global energy infrastructure is still designed for fossil fuels, and cleaner energy faces an uphill struggle.

Governments, industry and development funding agencies must work harder to promote technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is good not only for combating climate change, but also for sustainable development.

Iceland holds high expectations for CSD 14 and 15.

We must use this occasion to present opportunities for making the energy sector more sustainable.

My government would like to see policies designed and implemented that speed up the development of climate-friendly technology in fields such as geothermal energy. Hydrogen could also be a key component in clean, sustainable energy systems in the future.

We have made presentions on these technologies here at this CSD session, and look forward to working with others – in government and industry – who are working on cleaner energy techology and policies.

There is no magic solution to combatting climate change. It will require a broad inventory of different options. This session of CSD is a good opportunity to present these options. Our task now is to define the path towards a cleaner energy future and agree on measures to follow that path.