Small Island Developing States and Energy

The Barbados Programme of ActionEspen Ronneberg

Inter-regional Advisor for SIDS

Division for Sustainable Development

DESA, United Nations

Nicosia Cypruswww.sidsnet.org

The relevance of BPOA• SIDS cooperated in framing an international

agenda for sustainable development in SIDS, the Barbados Program of Action, which includes issues such as– Climate Change– Energy– Biodiversity– Coastal and Marine Resources– Sustainable Tourism– Trade

CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF THE SIDS UNIT

Two Key Roles

• The SIDS Unit is charged with coordinating UN system wide efforts at implementing the Barbados Program of Action

• Assisting SIDS with key issues identified in consultations with AOSIS

Activities to date

• Donor/SIDS Conference Feb. 1999

– Brought together representatives to discuss possible projects and funding

• 22nd Special Session of the General Assembly

• AOSIS workshops on climate change and on biosafety convened

Internet-based Services

• SIDSNet is now an integrated part of the SIDS Unit, with a range of services– Mirrored sites, such as SPREP, USP,

UNDP Trinidad and Tobago, UNDP Mauritius, SOPAC, and others

• AOSIS Web Pages

• Information on the workshops and reports

Capacity Building Workshops

• AOSIS has stressed the need to build capacity in a number of negotiations related areas, starting with climate change– This is the third climate change workshop– Capacity is developed through the discussions,

debates and materials disseminated– Common positions are agreed upon for

recommendation to AOSIS negotiators

What does BPOA tell us?

• The energy resources of SIDS must be developed in a sustainable manner– bearing in mind the economic obstacles– finding the most practical solutions for that

locale

• SIDS are recognized as a special case for financing– must find ways to institutionalize

Key issues for the workshop

Three key outputs

• AOSIS common positions for CSD9– to be negotiated as a group

• AOSIS project development– National and regional projects to be advocated

as solutions at CSD9

• AOSIS common positions for climate change negotiations related to energy

Requirements for success• Strong and active participation in the

workshop and working groups

• Significant improvements in the details to be negotiated at CSD9

• Pragmatic and practical ideas for inclusion in the workshop report

Assistance from SIDS Unit• AOSIS Decision Support System

– A closed decision support system on SIDSNet– Capacity building training for AOSIS

• Experts Database– Online database of SIDS experts/professionals on

SIDSNet - by region and by expertise– Remote data upload, remote management and

search by country or sectoral expertise or both

Assistance (continued)• Climate Change issues exchange

– Experiences from the country teams– Information on project proposals or current

activities, especially on adaptation, research, SIDS friendly technologies

• Experts Database– SIDS experts can be used for projects and advice– Advisory function improves information flows

across regions and within countries

Demand side management

• Win-win opportunities exist

• Possible projects could be implemented in residential heating and cooling

• Energy efficient appliances

• Power generation and distribution

Supply side management

• Energy needs will increase, hence adjust

• Waste to energy represents significant source of energy

• Alternative uses of existing resources through eg. solar energy

• Cogeneration

• Innovative application of new technologies such as OTEC

The Bottom Line• Be aware of the limitations and constraints

– high level of needs, low capacity to absorb, etc.– UN system can only contribute part of financing

• SIDS need to invest in and promote renewable energy technology– through national energy policies or through

national budgets

• AOSIS can contribute much to CSD– partnerships, cooperation with donors, NGOs, etc.

Thank you

www.sidsnet.org