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G8 Report Transcription (Page 5)

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substances. We will continue to exercise leadership in the development of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

We will report on the progress achieved in the areas mentioned above at the G8 Summit in 2008.

Biodiversity

We emphasise the crucial importance of the conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity as an indispensable basis for the provision of vital ecosystem services and the long term provision of natural resources for the global economy. We acknowledge the "Potsdam Initiative - Biological Diversity 2010" presented at the G8 Environmental Ministerial meeting in March 2007 and will increase our efforts for the protection and sustainable use of biological diversity to achieve our agreed goal of significantly reducing the rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The global potential for saving energy is huge. According to the International Energy Agency, successfully implemented energy efficiency policies could contribute to 80% of avoided greenhouse gases while substantially increasing security of supply.

We recognise that enhanced international cooperation offers enormous opportunities. Against this background we are committed to further strengthening and increasing our efforts of co-operation, both at inter-state level as well as within the framework of the respective international fora and organisations.

To this end, we will

• ·continue and further substantiate our energy-efficiency dialogue begun at Evian;
• ·move forward with implementing the Gleneagles and St. Petersburg Action Plans, thereby retaining and supporting the IEA's close involvement;
• ·take forward the concrete recommendations on energy efficiency presented by the IEA and consider drawing on these when preparing national energy efficiency plans;
• ·encourage the World Bank and other IFIs to further broaden and improve their financial framework for energy efficiency and clean energy;
• ·note the EU's proposal for an international agreement on energy efficiency and ask the Gleneagles Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development and the IEA to explore the most effective means to promote energy efficiency internationally, including through the exchange of best practices, sharing methodologies and further cooperation and by inviting other countries with significant energy needs to join;
• ·promote international research, encourage investment and development cooperation aimed at energy efficient technologies and other greenhouse gas mitigation options;
• ·report on progress in the policies and measures on energy efficiency outlined below at the G 8 summit in 2008.

We note that, in view of their high energy needs, industrialised and emerging economies have a fundamental joint interest in taking measures to encourage the most effective use of their energy.

Against this background we commit ourselves to a model of efficient energy systems and call on other countries with high energy demand, including the major emerging economies, to join us in this endeavor. Our goal of building less energy intensive economies will also advance economic growth and competitiveness. To this end, we will promote the appropriate policy approaches and instruments, including inter alia economic incentives and sound fiscal policies, minimum standards for energy efficiency, sound and ambitious energy performance labeling, information campaigns aimed at consumers and industry that enhance national awareness, sector-based voluntary commitments agreed with industry, investment in research and development and guidelines for public procurement. We will develop and (continued on next page)

Photo Credit: German Federal Government/Gebhardt