Abu Dhabi becomes a mecca for global energy events  

The World Future Energy Summit, which took place from 18–21 January, featured world leaders, policymakers, experts and investors from 130 countries, who met to discuss global solutions to climate change. The World Future Energy and Environment Exhibitions occurred in parallel with the summit.

Delegates discussed the changes to the global economy witnessed over the past 18 months, suggesting possible responses from government to drive a technological shift in favour of renewable energy.

Reflecting the increasingly global reach of the Australian clean energy industry, Austrade hosted an Australian Pavilion at the World Future Energy and Environment Exhibitions; the first time Australia has had a national stand at the event. Austrade arranged business meetings for the participants, which included Solahart Industries, Pierlite (Gerard Lighting Pty Ltd), and EMC Solar. An additional company, Ecotech Pty Ltd, exhibiting at its own stand, took the Australian contingent to four companies.

In the past, Australia has been represented at the World Future Energy events in a number of guises. Last year, the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce was a keynote speaker; and Professor Martin Green of the University of New South Wales’ Centre of Excellence in Photovoltaics was a Zayed Future Energy Prize recipient.

This year, Australia’s contribution to the Summit included a session entitled Carbon Capture and Storage – Industry in the Making chaired by Nick Otter, CEO of Australia’s Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute. Professor Steffen Lehmann, UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Newcastle, chaired a discussion on Sustainable Architecture, Materials and Costs. Che Wall, the recipient of the Australian Prime Minister’s 2004 Environmentalist of the Year Award, founding Chairman of the World Green Building Council from 2002-2007 and co-founder of the Green Building Council of Australia, was a panellist at a session entitled ‘A New Low2No Carbon Urbanism’.

IRENA meets in Abu Dhabi

Also in Abu Dhabi, the third session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Preparatory Commission took place, with 500 delegates from 120 member states attending.

The delegates assembled to discuss the Agency’s work program and budget for 2010, deciding that IRENA would set out to establish itself as the global base for renewable energy knowledge, and to build a network of international renewable energy experts.

During the meeting several nations signed IRENA’s statute, including Kyrgyzstan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and South Africa.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed also announced that Saudi Arabia is planning to become a member of IRENA.

The agency’s membership has almost doubled since 75 countries founded IRENA in January last year.

EcoGeneration magazine, as well as the Australian Clean Energy Directory, were distributed at the summit.

“The directories were highly valued by visitors to the Australian stand,” said Elizabeth Gordon, the Austrade’s Trade Commissioner responsible for clean technology in Abu Dhabi.