COP 16 Underway

This solar coalition, comprised of more than 40 leading international solar and renewable energy organizations, will demonstrate the immediate potential of the accelerated deployment of solar energy in reducing harmful pollution, combating climate change and creating jobs and economic impact.

"The Sun offers us today a unique way of generating electricity on a global scale, making it possible to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with the added benefit of being socially responsible, generating jobs and supporting sustainable development locally," said Adel El Gammal, Secretary General of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). "Government representatives in Cancun should advocate for a clear shift away from conventional fuels to solar energy. This will allow developing nations to leapfrog past conventional energy dependency to a clean and unlimited source that can also easily reach under-served populations in rural areas."

"Deploying solar energy presents a concrete measure for our nations’ leaders to reduce harmful pollution now," said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the US-based Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). "With the right policies, our government leaders can accelerate the adoption of solar reducing CO₂ emissions equivalent to taking 110 million cars off the road."

At COP16, the group will release its 2010 edition of "Seizing the Solar Solution: Combating Climate Change through accelerated deployment," a report that shows combined world targets for solar electric capacity will reach 700 gigawatts by 2020 and solar thermal capacity will reach 280 gigawatts (GWth, thermal equivalent) by 2020.

In preparation for the UN summit, an online petition has been launched and hundreds of people from across the planet have already signed it. After COP16, the Solar Petition will be sent to key political leaders in charge of making the decisions that will affect the future well-being of our world and the people who live in it. Together with the petition and the list of supporters, they will receive a Solar Dancing Flower to remind them of the power of the Sun. All the funds generated from the production of these solar flowers will be donated to Solar Solidarity, an NGO active in the promotion of projects for the developing world using renewable technology, solar in particular.

For more information please visit www.solarcop16.org