Outfall from Bonn: a host of renewable energy initiatives.

"The age of renewables has now begun," proclaimed Germany's environment minister, Jurgen Trittin, at the close of a conference at which 154 nations pledged to make renewable energy "a most important and widely available source of energy." Approximately 3,600 participants--including several heads of state, 121 ministers and government representatives, technology experts, business executives, and non-governmental leaders--announced their plans in Bonn, Germany, at the International Conference for Renewable Energies (Renewables 2004) in early June.

One of the key outcomes of the conference is the "International Action Programme for Renewable Energies," containing nearly 200 commitments by governments of some 50 industrial and developing countries, international financial institutions, state and local governments, and private actors to expand the use of renewables worldwide. Some of the highlights:

* China will ensure that "new renewables"--which exclude traditional biomass and large-scale hydropower--will constitute 10 percent of its electricity generating capacity by 2010, and 12 percent by 2020. Counting all forms of renewables, China aims to have these sources provide 17 percent of its total energy by 2020.

* Germany will provide up to [euro]500 million over the next five years for low-interest loans for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in developing countries, and has made a legally binding commitment to meet 20 percent of total electric needs with renewables by 2020.

* The Philippines will prioritize the use of renewables over fossil fuels, and aims to double its renewable energy capacity by 2013--becoming the largest producer of geothermal electricity in the world, the leading wind power producer in Southeast Asia, and a regional leader in photovoltaic manufacture and export.

* Spain reaffirmed its target for renewables to meet 12 percent of total energy demand by 2010, with 29.4 percent of electricity to come from renewable sources (up from 19.4 percent in 1997).

While these pledges were voluntary, scores of participating countries and institutions have now made public commitments to tangible progress, and all targets will be monitored within the formal framework of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. The German government estimates that, by 2015, these actions will avoid 1.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

Governments and other participants also committed to establishing a "global policy network" to facilitate and promote an open exchange of ideas and experiences.