Dr. Marianne Osterkorn, REEEP’s Director General answers some pointed questions about the outcome of Copenhagen and REEEP’s continuing role in catalysing low-carbon development.

The Copenhagen Accord is seen by many as unsatisfactory. How do you see it?

Well, now that the dust has settled a bit, it’s important to see COP15 in context. The very fact that the leaders of all major world powers actually came to the table and engaged in very serious climate negotiations was in itself a huge step forward, especially considering where we were little more than a year ago. The US, China, and India were all decisive in achieving this outcome. So the major emitters are all now grappling with the issue seriously.

If you’re measuring the outcome against the expectations going into COP 15, the Copenhagen Accord is not the specific and binding agreement many hoped for. And the scale of funding for technology diffusion isn’t yet sufficient to get developing countries onto a low-carbon path. But as so many leaders have already said: it is a critical first step – although only the first step.

What does the Copenhagen Accord mean for REEEP?

REEEP is a specialist change agent promoting transformation to low-carbon energy systems in developing countries. The Accord is proof that the need for this kind of activity is more urgent than ever – and that REEEP’s mission has continuing and real value over the longer term.

With our five-year track record as a robust delivery vehicle, we are ready to work with our 46 member governments in meeting this challenge.  It is essential that the Copenhagen Green Climate Fund, in whatever form it takes, is an efficient and accessible finance facility. 

At the same time, IRENA is taking form. How does REEEP see this?

We warmly welcome the arrival of IRENA on the international stage, and are pleased to be an observer to its Preparatory Commission. The organisation will provide a strong push for renewables at the intergovernmental level, which is needed. As major stakeholders in the power sector, governments are critical to the low-carbon transformation.

How do you see the collaboration between REEEP and IRENA?

The two organisations are highly complementary. In contrast to IRENA which is an intergovernmental entity, REEEP has built a strong track record as an implementer and facilitator on the ground over the past five years. We work with both governments and the private sector. Our premise as an organisation, reflected in our name, is that renewables and energy efficiency are interrelated and have combined effects that can be harvested. Half of all our activities are specifically energy efficiency oriented, and REEEP puts particular emphasis on energy efficiency in buildings. There is also clearly scope for collaboration with IRENA on things like knowledge management.

You said governments are critical to the low-carbon transformation.  What concrete advice do you have for policy-makers on facilitating this?

In both developed and developing countries, the easiest field for governments to act on is energy efficiency. Its potential cuts across all sections of the economy – households, services, industry and government, so it is a challenge to harvest all the benefits. Some of the most effective instruments for tackling this are energy usage labeling and standards, which help to make energy usage and efficiency visible.

On renewable energy what do you see as the priority for policy-makers?

The key here is stable, robust long term policies and regulation that allow the market to develop. To shift investment from traditional energy to renewables, policy and regulation should emphasise two points: first, transparent pricing that investors can count on, and second guarantees that renewables have priority of access to the grid.