COP21: ARE’s Call for Action leads to first results
PARIS, 4 December 2015 – In its COP21: Call for Action, the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), on behalf of the decentralised renewable energy industry working in developing countries, calls on all government leaders gathered at COP21 to take immediate, results-oriented and binding action to tackle climate change.
Paris 4 December 2015 – In its COP21: Call for Action, the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), on behalf of the decentralised renewable energy industry working in developing countries, calls on all government leaders gathered at COP21 to take immediate, results-oriented and binding action to tackle climate change. Access to clean energy and services for rural communities in the developing world is crucial, as is stepping away from conventional energy resources. Filling in the financing gap remains a major barrier.
ARE therefore welcomes the European Commission’s “Electrification Financing Initiative (ElectriFI)” launch today – its latest facility, which incentivises both the public sector and the industry to engage in sustainable businesses that benefit rural communities without access to clean energy in the developing world. At today’s COP21 side event “EU Blending 2.0: mobilising climate action,” Caroline Nijland, ARE Vice-President, explained how the industry will effectively contribute to the Commission’s latest initiative, including the necessary steps needed to grow it further.
To increase the impact of their efforts, ARE and GOGLA have agreed to join forces to effectively and better contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and SE4All Objectives. To this effect, a common industry statement has been signed to promote ElectriFI.
ElectriFI, which was elaborated in consultation with industry and development financiers, is a flexible tool aiming to support investments by providing access to reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity and energy services in developing countries. An initial EUR 75 million funding has already been committed by the European Commission.