World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, 16-19 January 2012.
Jim Leape, Director General of global conservation organisation WWF, is speaking at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, 16-19 January 2012.
At an event on ‘Insights from the International Energy Agencies: Building Sustainable Partnerships’, Jim Leape will highlight alternative options facing a world increasingly dependent on fossil fuels, flagging up WWF’s vision of a world powered by 100% renewable energies by 2050.
“We only have one earth, and humanity’s ecological footprint is much too heavy for one planet to sustain. We are fast running out of the natural resources on which our lives depend – but a future powered by renewable energies is entirely possible. With political commitment, and investment in the development of solar, wind, wave, and other alternatives – as well as energy conservation – a future with clean, efficient and secure energy for all is within our grasp”, said Jim Leape.
“Successfully overcoming the global energy crisis needs a two-track approach – the formal international policy process in tandem with the proactive leveraging of alternative solutions to shift the energy paradigm. WindMade, for example, is the first global consumer label identifying businesses that use wind power in their operations or production, and is a fantastic model for how the private sector – as well as consumers – can be empowered to use more renewable energy, in a way that also makes business sense. Every player in society can do their bit, be it businesses, politicians, or concerned individuals,” said Leape.
Jim Leape has worked in conservation for more than three decades. A graduate of Harvard, he began his career as an environmental lawyer – bringing environmental protection cases in the United States, advising the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, Kenya, and co-authoring the leading American text on environmental law.
Leape first joined WWF in the US in 1989, and for ten years led their conservation programmes around the world, serving as Executive Vice President. From 2001 he directed the conservation and science initiatives of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, one of the largest philanthropies in the US, before being appointed Director General of WWF International in 2005.
Over the past decade, WWF has been active in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Emirates Wildlife Society. EWS-WWF has become known as a leader in environmental conservation in the United Arab Emirates, addressing key conservation and environmental issues by implementing projects that aim to tackle energy efficiency and bring renewable energy solutions, conserve biodiversity and address the UAE’s ecological footprint.
About WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (better known as EWS-WWF), works with people and institutions in the UAE and the region to conserve biodiversity and reduce the ecological footprint through education, awareness, policy and science-based conservation initiatives.
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World Future Energy Summit (Abu Dhabi, 16-19 January 2012)
WFES is the world’s foremost annual meeting committed to advancing future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies by engaging political, business, finance, academic and industry leaders to drive innovation, business and investment opportunities in response to the growing need for sustainable energy.
http://www.worldfutureenergysummit.com/