Be Warned.
The World Economic Forum has launched their Energy for Society initiative, “which seeks to engage citizens in a discussion about the future of the energy industry.”
The initiative is supported by a new online platform with 24 case studies that “demonstrate corporate best practices for meeting the world’s growing energy needs while improving living standards for those with limited access to energy.”
Twenty global energy companies signed on to the initiative. Leaders of the companies agreed on five principles – supplying secure and affordable access to energy, having efficient energy systems, upholding responsible citizenship in communities, contributing to economic development and promoting energy literacy.
The 20 founding companies have 1.5 million employees in total and record a combined $1.4 trillion in revenue per year.
Their businesses cover all sectors in the energy industry, including oil and gas, utilities, technology and renewable energy.
“This is the first time that the global energy community has demonstrated such a commitment to society, not only by sharing their successes and challenges to improve business practices with transparency but also by demonstrating how those principles might be implemented concretely,” said Roberto Bocca, head of Energy Industries under the World Economic Forum, at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2012.
Yeah, right.
The initiative claims it has examples of energy companies “getting closer and giving back to society.”
Trina Solar Ltd, one of the largest solar companies in China, is one of the 20 founding members. It says it has built 40 solar power stations to provide electricity for basic necessities to residents who have been living without a grid in Tibet. It does not say the power is supplied for free. Because it isn’t.
According to the company, the program is a milestone for the solar industry in the region.
The press release goes on:
Through the initiative, leaders of the world’s top energy companies are committed to steering other companies toward a healthier energy industry ecosystem. Meanwhile, those companies have accelerated progress toward engaging with society.
“In the new century, the biggest challenge of human beings is to find a mode to balance the economic development and ecosystem, providing a sustainable planet for future generations,” said Che Wei, vice-president of Danfoss Inc China.
The Danish company has made progress in energy saving sectors in the Chinese market in recent years.
“The initiative marks an important step toward rebuilding trust among the energy industry, government and society,” said Peter Voser, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell. “I hope it will help foster closer collaboration to address some of the world’s energy-related challenges.”
The initiative aims to create more opportunities for global citizens to join in debates concerning energy and to realize their collective responsibility to society.
China Daily Information Company
One Response
If someone wants to live odd-grid and make a living they should become plumbers or electricians. While there’s a lot of people who do their own, there’s still a huge gap in the demand and the supply. I was recently quoted almost $2000 for a $500 guttering job on my mother’s house in the country–the difference between supply and demand. Just getting someone to show up at all is problematic in rural areas.