Analysis: Green sector may save economy

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Analysis_Green_sector_may_save_economy_999.html

ENERGY TECH

Analysis: Green sector may save economy

by Stefan Nicola
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UPI) Jan 20, 2009

A renewable energy "revolution" is taking place in the heart of the global oil industry here on the Arabian Peninsula, where world leaders and experts at a summit on tomorrow's energy say it may not only save the climate but also help revive today's ailing global economy.

Matthias Machnig, a state secretary at the German Environment Ministry, said the world is "at the beginning of the third industrial revolution" that will have a positive influence on climate change, but also on the global economy.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi, Machnig referred to a study commissioned by the German government on the current global green-tech market, which Roland Berger Strategy Consultants said was worth more than $1.3 trillion in 2005. The consultancy expects this sector's value to more than double to some $3 trillion until 2020.

"This will become one of the biggest markets in the world, bigger than the automotive sector," Machnig said. "That shows the potential of the sector and possibilities for investment in the coming years."

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[OKIsItJustMe]

1. Environment State Secretary promotes IRENA

http://www.bmu.de/english/current_press_releases/pm/42932.php

No. 015/09
Berlin, 19.01.2009

Environment State Secretary promotes IRENA

World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi

Today at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry Matthias Machnig called for concrete progress in climate protection: "2009 will be a key year for achieving a common international line of action on climate protection. In Bonn in the coming week we will found the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). In December the world will meet in Copenhagen. Thus, this year we can make decisive progress for climate protection and a sustainable energy supply."

Following its successful start in 2008, this year the second World Future Energy Summit is again being held in Abu Dhabi. It is the world's largest conference on the future of global energy supply. The organisers expect around 15,000 people to attend the 3-day event. Among the prominent participants are EU Commissioner Piebalgs and former British prime minister Tony Blair.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, State Secretary Machnig called for an energy policy geared consistently towards climate protection and firmly focused on improving energy efficiency and expanding renewable energies. Machnig urged participants to support the foundation and setting up of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) which was initiated by Germany. IRENA will give new impetus worldwide to the expansion of renewable energies. Acting as a platform for renewable energies, IRENA will provide practical advice and support to both industrialised and developing countries.

Machnig also drew attention to the successes achieved in Germany. He cited the example of the massive expansion of renewables which has created 250,000 secure new jobs. Machnig said that this figure will at least double by 2020. A total of 1.8 million people work in the environment sector in Germany, a figure which looks set to rise further. "Especially in times of economic crisis, environmental technologies offer major economic opportunities - in particular for Germany's excellently positioned industry," stressed Machnig.

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[bertman]

2. Yes, it could. . . . if we'd only finance it. And it's going to take a LOT of government

money to get this ball rolling again.

Recommend.

[Nederland]

3. Private money will dwarf government money in this

Just wait and see.

[bertman]

4. In terms of business startups, of course it will--eventually. However, there needs to be a massive

massive infusion of government funds in the form of loans/grants/stipends to homeowners and businesses to upgrade their energy-gobbling buildings and facilities to green standards. If that were to happen right now, say in the form of an immediate no-interest-pay-nothing-until 2011 loan of $10,000 to every homeowner and business in America to improve insulation, replace leaky windows, uprgrade HVAC equipment, etc., that would IMMEDIATELY impact the cratering building industry.

Those types of improvements take only skills and knowledge that most building professionals already possess. New home builders who are dying under the strain of outstanding loans for unsold homes and who have laid off their crews, could immediately put their crews back to work on these types of upfits. There would be hundreds of thousands of new jobs created and billions of dollars of home building products sold, plus innumerable startups of new businesses.

This will not happen until there is a FINANCIAL incentive for everyone to upgrade his/her domicile or business. This will not happen based on altruism or a new corporate model. The money has to be there immediately for this to have the desired effect. Once the ball starts rolling, the business community will begin to thrive again and that's when the private money will leave the government money in the dust.

IMO.