Ministerial delegations from 24 countries representing 80 percent of global energy consumption and a similar percentage of the global market for clean energy technologies met this week in Washinton D.C. and promised 11 initiatives that would accelerate the global transition to a clean energy and low-carbon future.

These initiatives will avoid the need to build hundreds of mid-sized power plants in the next 20 years, promote the rapid deployment of electric vehicles, support the growing global market for renewable energy and carbon capture technologies, bring solar lanterns or other improved energy services to more than 10 million people without access to grid electricity by 2015, and help encourage women to pursue careers in clean energy, for instance.

The initiatives launched build on the Technology Action Plans released by the Major Economies Forum Global Partnership in December 2009 and will help to achieve global climate and energy policy goals.

"The Clean Energy Ministerial brought together leaders from around the world to take unprecedented actions to deploy clean energy technologies. These steps will promote economic growth, create jobs and cut greenhouse gas emissions," said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

"What we've seen here is that working together, we can accomplish more, faster, than working alone."

Super-efficient appliances for global market

Under the Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) Initiative, for instance, governments will work with the private sector to transform the global appliance market.

The program will address both ends of the efficiency spectrum - incentivizing the deployment of super-efficient appliances while implementing and enforcing stronger appliance standards that push the most inefficient appliances off the market.

The program will initially focus on televisions and lighting - two globally-traded products that together account for about 15 percent of household electricity use.

Leading experts estimate that international efforts to improve the efficiency of televisions alone could reduce energy use equal to about 80 power plants by 2030.

Managing energy use in buildings

The Global Superior Energy Performance (GSEP) Partnership will help large buildings and industrial facilities measure and manage their energy use, which will save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Under this public-private partnership, governments will establish internationally-recognized certification programs to recognize facilities that adopt approved energy management systems and achieve significant and independently validated efficiency improvements over time.

To start, eight companies representing over USD600 billion in annual sales and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will pilot the program.

Accelerating deployment of electric vehicles

In the transportation sector, the U.S. and other countries are participating in the Electric Vehicles Initiative (EVI) to enhance global cooperation on the development and deployment of electric vehicles.

Through sister-city partnerships, high-level discussions, and information-sharing on electric vehicle investments and best practices, EVI will help countries deliver on their respective deployment targets.

According to the International Energy Agency, this initiative will help put participating countries on the path to deploy at least 20 million electric vehicles by 2020 and reduce global oil consumption by approximately one billion barrels over the next decade.

Comprehensive efforts for smart grids

To further accelerate the introduction of electric vehicles, improve the reliability of the electrical system, promote the growth of renewable energy, and help consumers and businesses better measure and lower their energy use, 15 governments also joined the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN).

This partnership will accelerate the development and deployment of smart electricity grids around the world by facilitating cooperation in key areas, including smart grid policy, regulation and finance; standards policy; technology research, development and demonstration; workforce skills and expertise; and consumer engagement.

Important initiatives for developing countries

Governments also came together to participate in an additional initiatives that will support;

*bring solar LED lanterns to more than 10 million of the world's poorest citizens by 2015;
*launch virtual Clean Energy Solutions Centers to help developing countries transition to low-carbon technologies;
*and encourage young women to pursue careers in clean energy.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the United Arab Emirates offered to host the second Clean Energy Ministerial in spring 2011.

The United Kingdom offered to host the third Ministerial at a date to be determined.