Concept Note
CONCEPT NOTE
Project
Global Renewable Energy Forum
Scaling Up Renewable Energy
7–9 October 2009
León, Guanajuato, Mexico
SUMMARY
The Mexican Ministry of Energy (SENER) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO) have joined hands to organize the Global Renewable Energy Forum 2009. This event will take
place on 7-9 October in León, Guanajuato, Mexico.
By gathering a broad range of stakeholders, this Global Forum will create a suitable environment for
proactive dialogue to strengthen interregional cooperation and encourage innovative multi-stakeholder
partnerships aimed at scaling up renewable energy. It will provide a platform for highlighting leadership in
regard to the promotion of renewable energy, thereby increasing the visibility of political commitments
towards the development of alternative energy systems. It will promote exchange of views among various
stakeholders and encourage partnerships, as well as facilitate the development of innovative frameworks
aimed at supporting initiatives related to clean energy.
It is expected that some 1000 officials, planners and energy experts from all world regions will participate
in the event, including representatives from governments, international organizations, academia, civil
society, and private sector.
The Global Forum will feature a series of plenary sessions around the following themes:
• Energy Poverty, Economic and Financial Crisis, and Climate Change;
• Renewable Energy and Energy Transition;
• Renewable Energy Potential;
• Renewable Energy and the Access Agenda;
• Biofuels;
• Investments in Renewable;
• Policy and Innovative Institutions.
Parallel sessions will convene stakeholders around specific topics, such as New Technologies, Industrial
Applications, and Energy Efficiency.
SENER is responsible for mobilizing political support for the event, and providing the venue and related
logistics. UNIDO coordinates substantive inputs for the event. SENER, UNIDO and other partners are
however working closely together on all these issues.
CONTEXT
An energy landscape largely dominated by fossil fuels
Despite a strong rise in interest in renewable energy technologies, business-as-usual scenarios depict an
energy future largely dominated by fossil fuels. Dedicated action is therefore required for profiling
renewable energy as an attractive alternative to fossil-based energy.
The threat of climate change
Continuously growing greenhouse gas emissions pose a significant threat to the global climate system.
The impacts of climate change are likely to hit the poor the hardest. The current dominant paradigm of
carbon-intensive energy combined with the expected significant growth in energy demand in the next few
decades call for an energy transition, if climate change impacts are to be restrained to manageable levels.
Biomass reliance vs. modern energy services
A significant share of the world’s population relies on traditional biomass. Providing impoverished
communities with access to modern, reliable, environmentally-sound energy services is often seen as a
prerequisite to development. Renewable energy has a key role to play in this regard. For instance, small-
scale renewable technologies are often particularly appropriate for providing remote communities with
adequate energy services.
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Market volatility and opportunities
The high volatility of fossil energy markets and prices represents a challenge for development and a barrier
to investments. At the same time, it is an opportunity for market forces to gradually shift towards
alternative sources of energy such as “renewables”, provided that enabling policies and supporting
institutions are in place. For instance, wind energy has experienced rapid growth over recent years.
Furthermore, diversifying energy sources and promoting use of domestic renewable energy in particular
assist in mitigating national energy security concerns.
Energy financing in times of crisis
The global economic and financial crisis could have a major impact on energy financing. Some sources
suggest that financing for energy infrastructure will be severely affected – a view that is somewhat
challenged by a more optimistic outlook for the renewable energy market. However, some shortfall in
financing for the energy sector could be expected.
Large untapped potential of renewable energy
There is a very high potential for renewable energy in most regions of the world. Specifically, there are
major, untapped opportunities for the application of renewable energy for productive uses and industrial
applications. Nevertheless, the sector faces numerous challenges and barriers. It is crucial to address
these challenges and barriers in a timely and comprehensive fashion.
Sustainability issues
In light of the current controversy relating to competition between biofuels and food, any large-scale
deployment of renewable energy requires careful socio-economic impact assessments to avoid unintended
adverse effects. Food security is crucial, including in Latin America where pockets of malnutrition persist.
Therefore, an integrated approach is necessary for scaling up renewable energy.
Energy efficiency as necessary complementary measure
Energy efficiency is a complementary strategy to the promotion of renewable energy. Indeed, the
combination of low-carbon energy production with well-managed and efficient use of energy would pave
the way towards sustainable energy systems. The industrial sector in developing countries is commonly
characterized by relatively high energy intensity. While energy efficiency measures are often presented as
low-cost (or even negative cost) options for reducing the energy demand, significant and diverse barriers
remain for a wide-spread deployment and application of such measures. It is therefore of utmost
importance to put emphasis on promoting technologies and policies to allow for the potential energy
savings to occur.
International co-operation and the role of the UN
Enhanced international cooperation is central to achieving a transition to a “green economy” and “green
industry”. In this regard, energy constitutes one of the core issues. Despite its unrivalled ability to raise
awareness, bring the stakeholders together and galvanize international action, until recently the United
Nations has not been able to fully leverage its strengths and leadership potential in the field of energy. In
response, UN-Energy, an inter-agency mechanism composed of 20 UN system organizations, has been
established to promote coherence in the UN system’s multidisciplinary response to the energy-related
decisions of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and to effectively engage with non-UN
stakeholders. It is making a major effort to ensure that the UN system together with the World Bank,
contribute in areas where strategic interventions would have a major impact. More recently, it has sought
to use this excellent platform to support the efforts of countries to achieve the MDGs and to address the
challenges of climate change. While UN-Energy will continue to play a key role, additional efforts are
required to elevate the role of the UN system in the global energy scene and to spur international action
towards a low carbon economy.
It is in this context that the Secretary of Energy of Mexico and the Director-General of UNIDO have decided
that the organization of a Global Renewable Energy Forum would be timely. The purpose of this Global
Forum is to discuss the role of renewable energy in the context of the most pressing global challenges.
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CO-ORGANIZERS AND PARTNERS
The Mexican Ministry of Energy (SENER) has the mission of defining the energy policy for the country within
the existing national framework with the objective to ensure the supply of competitive, reliable, high
quality, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy to foster national development. Its vision
entails wide-spread access to affordable energy services by the Mexican population; and an internationally
competitive service for public and private companies operating within an effective regulatory framework.
SENER advocates a substantial increase in energy efficiency and supports research and technological
development. It also promotes the use of alternative sources of energy, while taking into account the
security of supply.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the United Nations specialized agency
given the task of promoting industrial development in the developing countries and countries with
economies in transition. UNIDO helps governments, business associations and companies to successfully
face their industrial development challenges. The Organization has three thematic priorities, namely
Poverty Reduction through Productive Activities, Trade Capacity Building, and Energy and Environment. It
enhances cooperation at global, regional, national and sectoral levels. Following the lead of the UN
Secretary-General, UNIDO strongly supports efforts to combat climate change, promote industrial energy
efficiency, support cleaner production techniques and promote renewable sources of energy.
The co-organizers will seek the support and participation of leading institutions for convening the Global
Forum. These, among others, would include:
Partnerships: Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), Economic Commission for Latin America and
the Caribbean (ECLAC), Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), Renewable Energy
Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), AFROLAC, Caribbean Community (CARICOM);
International, bi- and multi-lateral Agencies: Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Global Environment
Facility (GEF), German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ), International Energy Agency (IEA), International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA);
Private sector and Industry: Comisión Federal de Electricidad, Corporación Andina de Fomento;
Others: Global Energy Assessment (GEA), IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources, UN
Foundation.
THE GLOBAL FORUM
Objective of the Conference
The overall objective of the Global Renewable Energy Forum is to provide a platform for proactive dialogue
to strengthen interregional cooperation and encourage innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships aimed at
scaling up renewable energy in Latin America and elsewhere. Furthermore, the Global Forum will represent
a unique opportunity for highlighting the leadership required to promote renewable energy.
Concept
The Global Renewable Energy Forum 2009 will take place over three days, on 7-9 October 2009, in León,
Guanajuato, Mexico. Technology and business exhibitions will be held in parallel to the Global Forum.
Participants will have the possibility to hold working meetings with private sector representatives.
Furthermore, a meeting will take place to review the latest developments by the Renewable Energy
Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The working sessions will consist of plenary and parallel round-tables comprising a keynote speaker,
panelists and a moderator. Sessions will address specific topics through in-depth analyses and will
provide the audience with focused presentations and discussions. Following the interventions of keynote
speakers and panelists, the floor will be opened to the audience for brief comments and questions. The
role of the moderator is to lead the sessions, coordinate discussions and provide a brief conclusion at the
end by drawing the main messages discussed. The methodology chosen for the sessions allows for highly
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interactive discussions around key renewable energy themes. Special attention will be paid in mixing the
speakers in such a way as to represent a wide spectrum of views, experiences and expectations.
Thematic papers will be issued in anticipation of the Global Forum. They will feature cross-cutting, salient
issues relating to renewable energy, such as Policies and Investments.
The key issues, majors points of discussions, as well as the conclusions of the discussions held during the
sessions will be captured in a comprehensive report. The amended thematic papers and a summary of the
discussions will be posted on a dedicated website.
A steering committee has been established by the partners in order to ensure smooth coordination of
proceedings. The committee meets in-person on a regular basis to discuss both substantive issues with
regard to the conference programme, speakers, presentation structure and media coverage as well as
logistics.
Worthy of special mention is that some high-level keynote speakers such as Dr. Pachauri, Chairman of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, have
confirmed their participation. Institutions such as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the
Caribbean (ECLAC) have expressed keen interest in participating in the Global Forum, for instance by
taking an active role in moderating sessions or acting as speakers.
Target beneficiaries
It is expected that some 1000 officials, planners and energy experts coming from governments,
international organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector from around the world will
participate in the event. Participation in the Global Forum will be free of charge, but delegates must cover
own costs related to their travel and stay. To the extent possible, financial assistance might be mobilized
for selected participants with limited resources.
Venue
The Global Renewable Energy Forum will take place in the Poliforum of León (www.poliforumleon.com). The
city of León is located 250 km to the north-west of Mexico City, in the State of Guanajuato. There is ample
hotel capacity in the vicinity of the venue, and the León/Guanajato international airport is only 15 minutes
away.
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Tentative programme
09:00
Inaugural Plenary Session
10:30
Coffee break / Opening of Business & Technology Exhibition
11:00
Plenary Session 1
Energy Poverty, Economic and Financial Crisis, and Climate Change
o
b
e
r 2009
12:30
Lunch
14:00
Plenary Session 2
ay 7 Oct
Renewable Energy and Energy Transition
15:30
Coffee break
e
d
n
esd
W
16:00 -
Plenary Session 3
17:30
Renewable Energy Potential - Reality or Utopia
Business Forums
09:00
Summary of the previous day
09:30
Plenary Session 4
Renewable Energy and the Access Agenda
11:00
Coffee break
11:30
Parallel Session 1
Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy - New Technologies
Parallel Session 2
Renewable Energy for Industrial Applications
Parallel Session 3
Thursday 8 October 2009
Energy Efficiency
13:15
Lunch
15:00 -
Plenary Session 5
17:00
Future of Biofuels: Potential and Challenges
Business Forums
09:00 -
Plenary Session 6
10:15
Scaling Up Investments in Renewable Energy
10:30
Plenary Session 7
o
b
e
r 2009
Innovative Policy and Institutional Framework
ay 9 Oct
11:30
Coffee break
F
r
id
12:00 -
Closing Plenary Session
13:30
Summary of the Global Forum and Recommendations
Expected Outcomes
The Global Forum will create a suitable environment for proactive dialogue to strengthen interregional
cooperation and encourage innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships aimed at scaling up investments in
renewable energy for productive uses. It will assist in identifying enabling policies, institutional
frameworks and successful initiatives allowing the stimulation of market-led dissemination of renewables
worldwide, including the promotion and replication of successful practices. The Global Forum will provide
a platform for highlighting leadership in regard to the promotion of renewable energy in Latin America and
elsewhere, thereby increasing the visibility of political commitments towards the development of
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alternative energy systems. Additionally, it will enable multi-stakeholder dialogue and encourage
partnerships, as well as facilitate the development of innovative frameworks aimed at supporting
initiatives related to clean energy.
The Global Forum will encourage stakeholders to join efforts and launch projects aimed at increasing
access to modern and sustainable energy services based on renewable energy technologies in the region
and other parts of the world. Such initiatives ought to enhance a broad range of income generating
activities by promoting industrial development in developing countries. Finally, another objective is to
enable business and commercial networking in regard to the promotion of renewable energy sources.
In recent years, the Latin American and Caribbean region has proven to be a key player in the field of
renewable energy by successfully implementing innovative projects and policies. The Global Forum will
provide an ideal venue to share those valuable experiences to a diverse audience coming from academia,
the private sector, as well as governments.
More specifically, the expected outcomes of the Global Forum would include:
• Enhanced dialogue and cooperation for the faster deployment of renewable energy;
• Innovative regional cooperation frameworks;
• Scaling up investments in renewable energy;
• Enhanced political commitment to promote renewable energy.
Information and Contacts
Detailed information is available at: www.GREFmexico2009.org. Please do not hesitate to contact us
should you require further information. Email: GREFmexico2009@unido.org.
On behalf of SENER:
Aldo Flores-Quiroga
Assistant Secretary of International Affairs
Ministry of Energy
Mexico
Tel: +52 (55) 5000 6103
Email: aldo.flores@energia.gob.mx
On behalf of UNIDO:
Pradeep Monga
Director, Energy and Climate Change Branch
UNIDO
Vienna, Austria
Tel: +43 1 26026 3018
Email: P.Monga@unido.org
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Document Outline
