WCRE Press Release, October 5th, 2005

2nd International Parliamentary Forum, Bonn/Germany, November 27th, 2005

The end of fossil resources is approaching, energy prices are rising, climate is changing: Renewable energies give the answer to these global challenges. Renewable energy technologies are just waiting to serve as a cost-viable and secure supply of electricity, warmth and fuels. The legislative framework is decisive for a global breakthrough towards renewables. Without clear and reliable laws, renewables cannot be brought quickly onto the markets, nor can a technology transfer to developing countries be secured. For this reason, parliaments take centre stage in the activities of the World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE), pushing for an indispensable structural change in energy production. Chaired by Hermann Scheer, President of EUROSOLAR and WCRE General Chairman, the first International Parliamentary Forum on Renewable Energies was held in Bonn in June 2004, during the International Conference for Renewable Energies, “Renewables 2004”.

Based on the resolution of the first Parliamentary Forum, worked out by 300 parliamentarians from 70 nations, the WCRE has now launched a permanent World Renewable Energy Parliamentary Network (WREPN). It offers support and advice to parliamentarians in establishing an adequate legislative framework for renewables. There is still a huge demand for regulations regarding renewables. The EU Commission is currently evaluating its member states’ legislative instruments, China, India and other states have developed new laws, following the German feed-in tariffs model.

After two regional preparation conferences of Asian and European parliamentarians in June and October, lawmakers of all continents will meet in Bonn/Germany at the 2nd International Parliamentary Forum on Renewable Energies.

The Parliamentary Forum will be organised within the World Renewable Energy Assembly (WREA) from November, 26th to 30th, 2005. One of the main topics will be the exchange on best policy practices for renewables.

For detailed information concerning the programme of the 2nd International Parliamentary Forum and of the World Renewable Energy Assembly, please refer to www.wrea2005.org and www.ipf2005.org.

World Renewable Energy Assembly, WREA
2nd International Parliamentary Forum on Renewable Energies
3rd World Renewable Energy Forum
Bonn/Germany, November 26th to 30th, 2005
Supported by the NRW State Initiative on Future Energies, NRW Energy Agency, UNESCO, EUFORES, ISES (International Solar Energy Society), IUCN Environmental Law Programme, The International Initiative for the Human Right for Energy, Youth Alliance for Renewable Energies