CAIRO: Environment ministers from the developing world have called on Western nations to give them access to more advanced technologies in order to boost their input in renewable energy resources in the fight against global warming and climate change. The pronouncement came at the World Future Energy Summit 2010 in Abu Dhabi this month. It is unclear whether Western nations will heed the call to help buttress third world development of green technology. After last month's dismal showing in Copenhagen, developing nations' leaders are hoping the wealthier countries come through on promises to push greener technologies worldwide. “We cannot do it on our own. For example, we would need the expertise of Iceland in geothermal energy as India targets to generate 20,000 megawatts from solar power by 2022 to meet its growing energy demands,” said Farouq Abdullah, India's Minister for New and Renewable Energy. Hanny Sherry Ayittey, Ghana's Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, said there is no alternative to renewable energy in order to combat global warming. “But, we have to have the right technology and it has to be commercially viable,” said Ayittey in comments published on Gulf News. Hassan Younus, Egypt's Minister for Electricity and Energy, said the Middle East North Africa region is a rich source of solar and wind energy, but needs more access to the technology that would make these resources more accessible. Tadahiro Matsushita, Japan's senior minister of economy, trade and industry, said that Japanese companies are already developing new energy products. Abdullah said by developing wind energy, solar energy and biomass, the country plans to meet the growing requirements of its billion-plus population. “People need energy for growth and progress. At the moment, 40 per cent of the people in India are living without any access to energy sources,” he added. BM
