UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon seeks clean energy future for all

 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has sought clean energy future for all to put the world on a cleaner and safer path.

"Now, more than ever, the world needs bold leadership to make the promise of renewable energy a reality," the UN Secretary General, said in his address to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi.

Based in Abu Dhabi, IRENA was set up in January 2009 by the United Arab Emirates to promote the use of all forms of renewable energy two decades ago.

Ban noted that IRENA members – 84 States and the European Union – recognise that renewable energy can boost competitiveness and growth while combating climate change.

"They see the potential for universal energy access, cleaner air and better public health," he said.

People were just glimpsing the emerging challenges of climate change, desertification, land degradation and the loss of species.

"Today many of those concerns have become urgent," said Ban, who last year had launched Sustainable Energy for All.

"It is developing an Action Plan and building a network of governments, companies, investors and civil society organisations that are making commitments that will be unveiled at the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in June this year," he said.

"The Group will focus on how to achieve the three complementary objectives I have set, all to be achieved by 2030," Ban said.

"First, to provide universal access to modern energy services. Second, to double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency. Third, to double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix," said the UN Secretary General.

"And the benefits far outweigh the costs – which include growing energy insecurity and accelerating climate change. Renewable energy can also address inequity and advance universal energy access."