A new high level initiative launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (November 1) aims to achieve progress on energy efficiency and increase the share of renewable energy globally by the year 2030. The high-level group represents an important step in preparing the agenda for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, the R+20 Summit taking place in Rio de Janeiro next June.  According to the Secretary-General, the group ''will develop an action agenda in support of a 2030 accord, it will mobilize a variety of stakeholders who can catalyze commitments and form partnerships that can be launched at Rio+20.''

The global initiative has been one of the outgoing Secretary-General’s main priorities during his five-year term and follows a General Assembly resolution earlier this year declaring 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for all. His view is that sustainable energy leads to social and economic development.

At a press conference, the UN chief repeated his three most ''cherished'' objectives to be achieved by 2030.  "First, universal access to modern energy services. Second, doubling the rate at which we improve energy efficiency. Third, doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix’’.

The high-level group includes the private sector, including the financial sector, governments and members of civil society. The group is co-chaired by by Kandeh Yumkella, the Chair of UN Energy and the Director General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Charles Holliday, Chairman of Bank of America. 

Partners include UNPD, United Nations Foundation, ADB, Energy for all, the International Renewable Energy Angeny, Masdar, Statoil and Bloomberg New Energy Finance.