Download Gabriel and Zypries open the third Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue

Gabriel and Zypries open the third Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue
Berlin, 20 March 2017. Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and Minister for Economic Affairs Brigitte
Zypries are opening the third Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin
today. Numerous ministers, including from Argentina, China, Cuba, Denmark and the United Arab
Emirates, as well as high-ranking delegations, business representatives and guests from more than
93 countries are expected. The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue is being hosted by the Federal
Government together with the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), the German Solar
Association (BSW-Solar), the consultancy firm eclareon and the German Energy Agency (dena) and is
being accompanied by extensive side events. On the second day of the conference tomorrow,
Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks will speak on behalf of the Federal Government.
The objective of the conference is to generate new ideas for the German Government’s energy
agenda in the G20 process. The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable
Energy Agency (IRENA) will present their study “Perspectives for the Energy Transition: Investment
Needs for a Low Carbon Energy System” at the conference. This study was carried out with support
from the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy and looks into which investments are
necessary in order to achieve the Paris climate goals and how misguided investments in energy
technologies that are harmful to the environment can be avoided.
Foreign Minister Gabriel issued the following statement on this: “The energy transition has long
ceased to be a national project. It is a global task and a mission for all of us, as well as a way to
ensure a future of prosperity and stability. Moreover, the energy transition is a major national export
for us Germans. I have experienced this time and again when I am asked about this topic on my trips
abroad. At the Federal Foreign Office today, we therefore intend to enter into a dialogue with our
partners in order to discuss how we can drive the global energy transition forward around the world.
We want to share our experiences and also to learn from others. This also reflects the spirit of the
German G20 Presidency. Energy policy is not an issue that can be addressed within the confines of
national borders. We cannot combat climate change with fences and isolation, but rather with
international cooperation. We need to foster exchanges between politicians and the worlds of
science and business – across national borders. The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue is just the right
platform for this.”
Minister for Economic Affairs Brigitte Zypries: “The Energiewende is our way to achieve greater
energy efficiency and a larger share of renewables. This transformation of our energy supply is key to
Germany’s energy transition – and no longer wishful thinking, but already a reality. We must think in
terms of investment cycles. This includes creating the right incentives for investment in sustainable
technologies. Energy efficiency and renewables are the new standard for investment. At the Berlin
Energy Transition Dialogue, we want to discuss with representatives from the public and the private
sector how investment flows can be efficiently redirected from conventional to renewable energy
sources in a way that maintains a secure and affordable energy supply.”
Dr Fritz Brickwedde, President of the German Renewable Energy Federation: “Renewables are a
smarter choice – not only for ecological, but also for economic reasons. Not only do they create
sustainable jobs, but they also spur innovation and benefit everyone who gets involved in this effort,
all over the world.”
Speakers at the conference include:
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Sigmar Gabriel, Deputy Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Brigitte Zypries, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy
Barbara Hendricks, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and
Nuclear Safety
Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA)
Adnan Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC)
Nur Bekri, Director of the Chinese National Energy Administration
Ministers from other countries
Investors at international investment companies
For an up-to-date agenda and information on the side events, as well as the list of speakers, please
visit www.energiewende2017.com. The conference language is English.
You can also participate in the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue on twitter by using the hashtag
#betd2017. Be sure to include @greensofa_betd in your tweets.
The CO2 emissions that this environmentally friendly event will nevertheless generate will be offset
by atmosfair gGmbH, in the form of support to projects that are UN and gold standard certified.
www.atmosfair.de/en/berlin-energy-transition-dialogue-2017
Press contact:
[email protected]
Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue press office
c/o Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft e.V. (German Solar Association)
Lietzenburger Straße 53, 10719 Berlin
+49 (30) 297778880
During the conference, the team can be reached at +49 1605866033