|
Saint Lucia – world's first renewable energy country? St. Lucia’s dream of becoming the world's first renewable energy country may soon be a reality. The St. Lucian government recently gave US-based Climate Institute and Counterpart International, both experienced international development agencies, the green light to develop a sustainable energy plan for the island. As a result, St. Lucia will become the first of the world's island nations – and indeed the first nation in the world – to carry out the energy actions sought by the Programme of Action on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States adopted in Barbados in 1994. Tom Roper, of the Climate Institute, described the announcement as an ‘historical turning point in the application of renewable energy in any country’. The former Australian Cabinet Minister stated, ‘The fact that the St. Lucian Cabinet wants St. Lucia to be the world's first renewable energy country is a tremendous boost. Everyone who has worked for decades on behalf of renewable energy use is rejoicing at this decision.’ Counterpart International's Lelei LeLaulu noted that this major development will likely take centre stage at ‘Earth Day 2000’ next month when about half a million environmental activists are expected to convene in Washington, D.C. ‘This is a very clear example of how governments should proceed in boosting their renewable energy use,’ he said. Together, the Climate Institute and Counterpart are playing a leading role as consultants to the St. Lucian government and are in the process of designing a plan that will allow St. Lucia to become less dependent upon imported fossil fuels for the generation of electricity. ‘We will be working very closely with government officials as well as private sector executives of St. Lucia to ensure that we have the best possible mix of governmental expertise and private sector dynamism,’ said LeLaulu. Counterpart News and Views Form
|
|