Against a background of ongoing failure by world leaders to take meaningful action on climate change, the global solar industry brought a message to the 16th annual Conference of the Parties (COP16) meeting: that the solar industry is a significant player in the transition to a low-carbon future, and is creating jobs in the process. A report from a coalition of international solar and renewable energy organizations, led by the European Photovoltaic Industries Association (EPIA) and the U.S. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), will be presented to delegates at COP16 on December 6, 2010. "This solar coalition, comprised of more than 40 leading international solar and renewable energy organizations, is demonstrating the immediate potential of the accelerated deployment of solar energy in reducing harmful pollution, combating climate change and creating jobs and economic impact," read a media statement by SolarCOP16, the coalition releasing the report. "The group is urging political and business leaders to take action now to accelerate solar deployment."

Another year of low expectations of meaningful action from world leaders

COP16 takes place in Cancun, Mexico from November 29 to December 10, 2010. This year's conference follows in the shadow of grave disappointments for renewable energy advocates and climate activists at COP15 in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009. The Copenhagen conference ended with no binding commitment to greenhouse gas reductions, and many blame the United States for the lack of effective action. The U.S. is the only industrialized nation that has not yet signed the Kyoto protocol and the world's second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China.

COP16 does not appear to be a significant improvement, with Reuters calling the conference "weak" and noting "low expectations of any meaningful agreement coming out of the talk". Japan has officially discussed not extending the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2010, a move that is reported to be backed by Russia and Canada.

Solar industry says meeting targets to result in 570 mega-tonnes of carbon reduction

However, against this grim news, the global solar industry has a positive message. In "Seizing the Solar Solution: Combating Climate Change through Accelerated Deployment", industry organizations state that if current solar targets are met, the world will see 700GW of solar photovoltaics (PV) and 280GW-th of solar thermal installed by 2020. The report states that this level of installation will result in 570 mega-tonnes less carbon emitted into the atmosphere, and note that this will also mean the creation of 1,130,000 jobs in the European Union and 683,000 jobs in the United States.

Through the SolarCOP16 coalition, these forty solar industry associations from around the globe are presenting united statements at the conference. The organizations state that setting a price for carbon is "essential" and have expressed support for a statement by the G20 calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Neither policy has been embraced by the United States. The U.S. Senate rejected a "cap and trade" proposal in 2009, and the nation is one of many that continue to subsidize fossil fuel generation with tax breaks and other incentives.

UNEF SEP Alliance and BNEF issue report warning against cutting support for clean energy

On December 3, 2010, another report will be discussed at COP16, commissioned by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Sustainable Energy Finance Alliance (SEF Alliance) and authored by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF, London, U.K.). “Weathering the Storm: Public funding for low-carbon energy in the post financial crisis era" looks at both public and private funding for clean energy enterprises along the value chain in light of the global recession, and was the subject of a special session at the conference on December 3, 2010.

The report concludes that as clean energy industries are drivers of economic growth and job creation, it could be disastrous for nations to abandon their current commitments to supporting these industries. It also singles out China for its success in supporting clean energy, noting that the nation has invested USD$34.6 billion in clean energy industries, and notes that the gap between China and other nations is widening. The report warns that 2011 will likely be the peak of funding for clean energy industries, and warns against drastic cuts to subsidy programs, as has been done by nations including Spain.

U.S., Chinese youth protest finger-pointing between nations

Climate activists are also maintaining a presence at the conference, with a group of activists wearing the flags of multiple nations sticking their heads in the sand in a high-profile protest. Attendees also report that groups of U.S. and Chinese youth activists have joined forces to condemn the finger-pointing between the two nations that many credit with derailing meaningful action.

Reports:

SolarCOP16, "Seizing the Solar Solution: Combating Climate Change through Accelerated Deployment": http://www.seia.org/galleries/pdf/SEIA-COP16_LR.pdf

UNEF SEP Alliance, BNEF: “Weathering the Storm: Public funding for low-carbon energy in the post financial crisis era": http://www.sefalliance.org/fileadmin/media/sefalliance/docs/Meeting_Files/2010/sef_alliance_2010-11-30_FINAL.pdf

2010-12-06| Courtesy: SEIA, UNEP SEF Alliance, BNEF | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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