Desiree Mohindra, Communications Department, Media, Tel.: +41 (0)22 869 1462
E-mail: desiree.mohindra@weforum.org
New Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report ranks energy systems of 105 countries from an economic, environmental and energy security perspective.
Norway, Sweden and France top the ranking; OPEC countries and the USA languish outside the top 50
Purpose of the index is to help countries position themselves for the widespread transition that is expected in the global energy system.
Geneva, Switzerland, 11 December 2012- High-income countries are leading the transition to a new energy architecture but still have work to do on environmental sustainability, according to the Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2013, released today by the World Economic Forum.
The index measures the strengths and weaknesses of countries' energy systems from an integrated economic, environmental and energy security perspective.
It is also designed to help countries manage and navigate the challenges that arise from this period of change which, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), will require US$ 38 trillion of investment in energy supply infrastructure by 2035 to meet rising global demand.
The findings reveal that high-income countries have proven best at managing the transition to a new energy architecture. Norway ranks in first place in the index, where a strong energy policy coupled with multiple energy resources has delivered cheap, plentiful and relatively clean power and generated large national revenues.
With seven other European countries joining Norway in the top 10, the list is completed by New Zealand (5) and Colombia (6). No OPEC country features in the top 50, while the USA ranks 55th. Of the BRICS, Brazil leads in 21st place, followed by the Russian Federation (27), South Africa (59), India (62) and China (74).
However, the index also finds that high-income and rapidly growing countries alike often underperform across a wide range of environmental sustainability metrics. With demand for energy rapidly increasing at the same time as some nations are reconsidering costly renewable obligations and CO2 targets, the report calls for affirmative action to address this.
"Energy decisions can be simplified through a common understanding of the trade-offs they require," explained Roberto Bocca, Senior Director, Head of Energy Industries, World Economic Forum. "With clear objectives to achieve a balanced energy system that is environmentally sustainable, drives the economy and is secure, decision-makers should facilitate quicker and more cost effective transitions. The index is a tool to help in this process."
The report, produced in collaboration with Accenture, adds that many developing countries still struggle to supply citizens with basic energy needs, with 12% of countries analysed providing electricity to less than 50% of their total population. The report also considers how issues around fossil-fuel subsidy, water use for energy production and effective management of resource wealth need addressing globally.
"The scale and complexity of the global energy industry demands a country-by-country approach to managing change," said Arthur Hanna, Managing Director, Energy Industry, Accenture, and a Member of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on New Energy Architecture. "The Energy Architecture Performance Index helps nations take stock of their energy architecture challenges and identify specific focus areas coupled with best-in-class examples to use when managing their transition."
Romney Ridiculed ‘Rising of Seas,’ Pledged Deep Cuts to FEMA
By Juan Cole, Informed Comment
Mitt Romney makes fun of President Obama’s pledge to slow the rising of the world’s oceans, caused by climate change, and his Republican audience tittered. Instead, Romney pledged to “help you and your families.”
In general, more moisture in the air and higher ocean temperatures, both of which help hurricanes be more damaging, result from global warming. The reason Sandy was able to maintain hurricane force winds all up an down the East Coast is that the ocean off the northeast coast is unusually warm. In turn, elevated sea surface temperatures are linked to climate change. Likewise, sea rises because of global warming are not uniform around the world, and the US east coast has experienced more rising than most places, making storm surges more deadly. The storm surge into New York City was over 11 feet high.
Local news broadcasts often get away with saying things that big Corporate News won’t allow itself to pronounce in public.
Hence the flooding in New York City:
Not only is Mitt Romney promoting the burning of coal and other greenhouse gas-producing fuels that will make storms fiercer and fiercer over time but he is also in favor of cutting funding for The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as Cenk Uygur of the Young Turks program on Current TV explains:
Romney’s cuts to Federal funding for FEMA would amount to about 53%; as usual he would pass these costs on to someone else, in this case the states.
Just to review: North Carolina, and Virginia, if you do in fact vote for Romney, you are voting to screw yourselves over, big time.
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Tags: 2012 Elections, Climate Change, Energy, Informed Comment, Juan Cole, Mitt Romney
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