14 January 2023

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it is a challenge that has affected, and will affect all of us and all of those who come after us.

Energy and climate change are intrinsically linked. The message from science is clear: fossil fuels account for 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.

So, success in climate protection depends on transition to carbon-free energy use.

But the energy transition we have foreseen was a peace time agenda. How will it work in time of major political confrontations when energy supplies are turned into a tool of conflict?

In the short term, addressing emergencies, there might be set-backs in the transition and, the GHG emissions will probably rise. But if we look into the investment trends, the long-term impact of the conflict might be the opposite.

From solar to wind, wave, and geothermal, renewable energy sources are available for every climate. Their use has a potential of strengthening energy sovereignty.

We can choose to truly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels – imported or locally produced.

We can choose to transition to more sources of energy that will not upset the sensitive balances of our planet.

We can choose to ensure that the transition to renewable energy is equitable.

If we are to attempt to reach the goals set out in the Paris Agreement, Member States must act without delay.

According to the International Energy Agency, renewables, in principle, could constitute two-thirds of global power generation by 2030.

How can we make this a reality?

One, by investing in scientific tools of measurement.

That includes the creation of a follow-up mechanism to assess where we are making headway, and where we lag behind.

Two, in order to speed up the transition and make renewable energy a global public good, we must share our knowledge, and transfer our technologies.

We should work to make the intellectual property rights regime an enabler of the energy transition and innovation, not a barrier to it.

Three, we ought to bolster partnerships with stakeholders, from academics to civilians through corporations, who have good track records in sustainable energy initiatives.

How else will we ever achieve SDG7 or reach net zero emissions by 2050?

Dear Friends,

We are in a desperate race against time.

We need bold transformative action to curtail climate change.

We have the knowledge. We have the means.

We should only have the will.

Thank you.