In Paris, more measures are being taken to face the climate change threat. Amongst these, solutions such as renewable energies and improving energy efficiency are multiplying, brought about by public entities or private investors.

The Global Geothermal Alliance, one of these solutions, has been established to boost by 500% the current output of geothermal energy by 2030. Involving 36 countries and 26 organizations, this project aims to accelerate exploitation of geothermal potential which more than 90 countries possess. The actual 12 GW installed represent only 10% of global potential.

Africa Renewable Energy, another initiative emerging from the COP 21 talks, aims to produce 10 GW from renewable energies in Africa by 2020 and 300 GW come 2030. The program should allow the current production – 150 GW – to triple.

Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) through the provision of financial and technical support to a number of African countries from developed countries is to help them implement policies and measures which are to make their economic environment more favorable to the realization of renewable energy projects. Beneficiaries of this project are Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, Kenya, Madagascar, Cameroon and Zambia.

After welcoming Microsoft, Adobe and Google last week, the RE100 initiative received on December 7, six new members including BMW and Coco Cola Gathering companies which commit to use only renewable energies. It presently counts 53 members representing 1% of world’s demand in energy: Adobe, Alstria, Autodesk, Aviva, Biogen, BMW Group, BROAD Group, BT Group, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Commerzbank, DSM, Elion Resources Group, Elopak, Formula E, Givaudan, Goldman Sachs, Google, H&M, IKEA Group, Infosys, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.(IFF), J. Safra Sarasin, Johnson & Johnson, Kingspan, KPN, La Poste, Land Securities, Marks & Spencer, Mars Incorporated, Microsoft, Nestlé, Nike, Inc., Nordea Bank AB, Novo Nordisk, Pearson PLC, Philips, Procter & Gamble, Proximus, RELX Group, Salesforce, SAP, SGS, Starbucks, Steelcase, Swiss Post, Swiss Re, UBS, Unilever, Vaisala, Voya Financial, Walmart and YOOX Group.

Behind these companies are 700 hundred more, many financial institutions and banks, local collectivities and countries which committed, individually and through various initiatives, to take concrete steps towards the exploitation of renewable energies and improving energy efficiency so as to better face the climate change threat.

Gwladys Johnson