RIO DE JANEIRO--()--The ClimateWorks Foundation announced today its commitment of up to U.S. $15 million over the next three years to help India, China, Brazil and Mexico double both their rate of improvement in energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy in their energy portfolios by 2030. The funds support the goals of Sustainable Energy for All, a United Nations initiative.
ClimateWorks will provide the funding to its international network of nonprofit best practices institutions over three years. Direct grants of U.S. $2 million per year will be supplemented by a commitment to match funds from other donors for up to an additional $3 million per year. The best practices institutions will use the funds to provide direct technical support to the participating nations.
“The transfer of established best practices policies that help improve energy efficiency and accelerate the deployment of clean, renewable energy is at the core of ClimateWorks’ mission,” said ClimateWorks Foundation Chairman and former Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) William K. Reilly. “With the ClimateWorks Sustainable Energy for All commitment, we will ensure that many fast-growing nations have access to these best practices and have the technical assistance they need to implement them. We invite other donors to join us in accelerating this effort.”
Mr. Reilly announced the funding commitment during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, on the 20th anniversary of the first Earth Summit, which established a set of goals to help drive economic growth toward principles of sustainability.
The Sustainable Energy for All initiative was launched by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. This global initiative brings together governments, businesses and civil society groups in an unprecedented effort to transform the world’s energy systems over the next 20 years. The U.N. Secretary-General has set three objectives for the initiative, all to be achieved by 2030: ensure universal access to modern energy services, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
The ClimateWorks Network organizations set to receive the funds include the Regulatory Assistance Project, which specializes in reforming electric utility policy to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy; the International Council on Clean Transportation, which works with vehicle regulators around the world to help improve vehicle fuel efficiency; the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program, which helps promote the manufacture and use of efficient electric appliances; the Institute for Industrial Productivity, which helps reduce energy waste in the industrial sector; the Global Buildings Performance Network, which identifies best practices in the design and enforcement of building energy codes; and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, which advises cities and nations on best practices in urban design to reduce vehicle use, enhance public transit and encourage pedestrian-friendly cities.
“Since we met in Rio 20 years ago, we’ve learned a lot about what it takes to steer nations toward sustainable economic development,” Mr. Reilly said. “The ClimateWorks Network institutions we’re supporting with the funds we’re committing today have been at the front lines of efforts to enhance energy efficiency and promote clean, renewable energy. We believe their skills and expertise can be put to broader use.”
About the ClimateWorks Foundation
The ClimateWorks Foundation supports public policies that can prevent dangerous climate change and promote global prosperity. ClimateWorks funds an international network of institutions focused on the regions and sectors responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions. The regions include China, India, Europe, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Indonesia. The sectors include power, transportation, buildings, appliances, land use, and industry. Each year, in collaboration with its Network partners, the ClimateWorks Foundation invests more than U.S. $150 million in initiatives that advance policies that will reduce carbon emissions.