Newsletter for INFORSE International Network for SustainableNEWS Energy No. 60, April 2008

Women - Energy - Climate Theme: Global Influence & Local Efforts

INFORSE-Europe: Seminars, Visions, Projects EU Energy & Climate Packet Editorial

More Women Sustainable Energy News Needed for INFORSE, the NGO network that produces ISSN 0908 - 4134 Decisions this newsletter, has shown that technically it Published by: is possible to have a 100% INFORSE-Europe Break the supply by 2050 or earlier. We, together with the “Glass NGO community, work to spread the required Ceiling” on knowledge and to secure the political will for Sustainability International Network for the transition. There is a process ahead. Renew- Sustainable Energy (INFORSE) able-energy and energy-efficiency solutions are is a worldwide NGO network Women are underrepresented in decision- available and their use is increasing. The EU formed at the Global Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1992. making. Even though women got voting rights leaders have set targets, and the EU Commis- in Finland in 1907 and throughout Europe in the sion has proposed legal frameworks by which Editorial Address: following years, the number of women in the to achieve them. The change has started, but it Sustainable Energy News INFORSE-Europe parliaments of EU countries is still only 24 % on needs to be made faster. Gl. Kirkevej 82, DK-8530 average. In the world the average is only 17%. Hjortshøj, Denmark. It is also well known that women still get lower I think there are two main scenarios for the future: T: +45-86-227000 wages for the same job; and the typical “woman Either there will be an environmental catastro- F: +45-86-227096 E: [email protected] jobs” like teaching and nursing pay less than phe or there will be a cleaner planet supplied W: http://www.inforse.org/ most “men jobs”. Though there is a substantial with renewable energy, where nuclear and positive tendency in the development, e.g., the fossil-fuel plants will be shown as museums, Editors: Gunnar Boye Olesen increase in the number of women students al- much as abandoned coal mines are shown Judit Szoleczky lows a certain optimism that the “glass ceiling” nowadays. Niki Fowler (text advice) will disappear some day. Which way the world goes is depending on Advisory Board: us who live now, and on the young people who Emil Bedi, FAE, Slovakia While less empowered than men, women are will be the politicians of tomorrow. It makes me Sécou Sarr, ENDA, Senegal more concerned about environmental risks, and optimistic when I see that more young people Timothy Byakola, CDI, Uganda Richard Worthington, EA, S. Africa they are more in favour of sustainable solutions, and more women can see the risks of the present Raymond Myles, INSEDA, India in energy as well as in many other fields. solutions and the possibility for a sustainable Emilio La Rovere, LIMA, Brazil Mothers were also among those who started future. Roque Pedace, Rejima, Argentina the antinuclear movements in Ukraine and I am looking forward to a new era, to a time in many other countries. It seems as though when women are more equally represented in Deadline for the next issue: women remember better than men. Or maybe parliaments, governments, and boards of compa- 30 May, 2008 Next issue: June 2008 men just have a selective memory, such as the nies. I believe that they can make the necessary many male state leaders that argue for nuclear changes in their countries, in the EU and at the The newsletter is published quarterly. power as a means to avoid climate change. coming international climate negotiations in Nuclear industry proponents pressure decision Poland, in Copenhagen, and beyond. Feel free to use the information, makers into behaving as though it were better to but please state the source. build big plants than to build more In this issue, we collected articles from NGOs Annual subscription rate: of the smaller renewable-energy power plants. showing their activities on gender, climate and EUR 25/year. They refuse to acknowledge, let alone address, energy. Some of them are seeking global influ- The newsletter is free of charge for INFORSE members obvious issues, e.g., that if a solar- or wind- ence, while others are concrete local efforts in as long as possible. power plant has a failure you just won’t have developing countries, where women’s legal and for a while, but if a nuclear power social status as well as educational level are of- Printer: plant fails it can cause far larger problems, in- ten much lower than men’s. Women are exposed Fjerritslev Tryk, Denmark cluding illnesses and/or deaths in many people. to the health hazards, developing smoke-related 2,500 copies .. as the wind blows.... illnesses when they cook on inefficient stoves in a smoky kitchen. The girls are the ones who Sustainable Energy News has To increase the gender balance the society spend their time collecting firewood instead of been supported by the European Commission can use regulations such as gender quotas for going to school. Here and in the earlier Women- DG Environment - Civil Society boards, educational institutes, and work places. Theme issues of SEN you can also read about Support to INFORSE-Europe in 2004-08. Do we need these? Do we need to force men to the improvements that could be brought about The articles reflect the views of the share the childcare leave? - The male establish- in women’s lives through sustainable energy authors, and of INFORSE, not of the financial supporters. ment is against, but examples show that some solutions. of these instruments actually do work. More Photos on the front page: women among decision makers, and boards The pictures are from the articles of this issue. members are assets that make companies, and states more competitive and creative as women The drawing illustration on this tend to look for new alternative solutions to page is from the women section problems. of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s statistics. Judit Szoleczky www.ipu.org editor

Sustainable Energy News 2 No. 60, April 2008 Women - Energy - Climate Theme „Don’t nuke the climate“ ”Don’t nuke the climate“ Action made by WECF, Women strongly opposed nuclear energy at the UNFCCC in Bali Munich Environmental Institute, WISE, Ecodefense and other partners, in front By Sabine Bock, energy and of the UNFCCC conference centre, Nusa Dua, Bali, climate change coordinator, Indonesia. WECF

From Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF), we were present with a delegation of 6 women environmental “Keep nuclear leaders at the UN Framework Climate energy out” when Change Conference in Bali. There, we Japan complained voiced the concerns of the WECF network on day 3 of the confer- over the renewed strong push for nuclear ence, that nuclear energy was energy, which is being promoted as a solu- not included in the Clean Development At the WECF exhibition booth, together tion to climate change. WECF members Mechanism (CDM). with our partners, we provided throughout work in regions that have suffered severe The position paper “Women from all the conference expert information on the nuclear damage near Chernobyl, Ukraine, regions of the world strongly oppose nuclear issue, sharing their knowledge and and Mayak, Russia, as well as near ura- including nuclear energy into the clean experience. nium mines in Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and development mechanism” published by Furthermore, we organized a side event, Armenia. WECF together with GenderCC (women “Regional experience and information on We addressed the immense negative for climate justice) pointed out the total nuclear energy – scientists, witnesses, and health effects of nuclear energy at every failure of nuclear-energy proponents to activists speak out”. step of production and highlighted the face climate change and the fact that the The jointly organized press action experience of the more than 94 member nuclear industry is a threat to our health, “Don’t nuke the climate” with anti-nuclear organisations from WECF, which show our environment and human rights. activists from all over the world in front especially the long-term negative health The paper also highlighted the even of the conference center at the final count- effects on local populations living near worse negative effects of nuclear energy down of the conference reached the dele- nuclear production plants or near uranium on women as radiation sensitivity depends gates and the general public worldwide via mines, and the struggle of the victims to on age and sex. The sensitivity to radiation a front page photo of the demonstration on obtain any support when they have lost of women is about double as high as for the UNFCCC website as well as through family members or have become too ill men with regard to the relative risk. Es- coverage on BBC, television and radio to work. pecially high is the radiation sensitivity of stations and different newspapers. WECF and partners like the Munich En- the unborn child. Women are also more af- WECF also advocated, together with vironmental Institute, Germany, followed fected by the burden of the negative health GenderCC, for integrating gender into the the negotiations closely and immediately impacts as they usually are the caretakers whole process and into climate-change raised their concerns in the NGO confer- of the family who look after their sick and planning. ence newspaper ECO with the article handicapped family members. More: [email protected]

Gender Theme

Editorial: More Women Needed for Decisions, Break the “Glass Ceiling” .. Seeking Global influence in the UN Process: Read previous Gender Theme - ”Don’t nuke the climate“ Women Actions in Bali articles in - Women’s Role in the UN Climate Process: from Berlin to Bali and Beyond Sustainable Energy - No Climate Justice without Gender Justice, February, 2008, Monaco News: - Gender Side Event at UNFCCC, Bonn, June, 2008 Local and Regional Efforts: www.inforse.org/ europe/ - Kyrgyzstan: Women’s Grass-Root Participation Brings Changes sen_gender.htm - Bangladesh: 1000 Women Trained to Solar and Cookstoves - Asia: CRT-Nepal Became Asia Coordinator for ENERGIA - India: Follow-up of INFORSE Activities: Manuals, Jatropa, Open Uni, Soft Loans, Financing - India: Micro-hydro Units in the Himalayas - Who is Who?

No. 60, April 2008 3 Sustainable Energy News Women - Energy - Climate Theme Women’s Role in the UN Climate Process: from Berlin to Bali and Beyond These activities helped to pick up the Ulrike Roehr, path from COP1 again, finally resulting GenderCC – Long Way in growing attention to and sensitiza- Women for from Berlin to Bali tion in gender dimensions of climate Climate change in Bali. There was strong Justice, Gender issues support and affirmation by a Life/Genanet are rarely growing number of delegates addressed concerning gender issues, in the UN climate- but in the end, COP13 in Bali: c h a n g e there is no reference to gen- From a gender perspective, negotia- der in the outcomes, the so- it looks like a landmark. tions, even called ‘Bali roadmap’. though there Furthermore, the majority of For the first time in UNFCCC history, was an encour- climate experts are not yet convinced GenderCC, a worldwide coalition of wom- aging start at the First that integrating gender into climate- en, has drafted position papers with the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN change policy will make it more efficient women’s and gender perspectives on the Framework Convention in 1995 in Berlin. and more effective and – last but not most pressing issues negotiated. And for An international women’s forum, “Soli- least – more just. Most of these experts the first time, many activities from various darity in the Greenhouse”, then attracted are natural scientists or economists who women’s organizations and institutions 200 women from 25 countries to discuss give more credit to technical facts than to took place. their views on climate protection. Unfortu- individual case studies or glaring inequali- Side events of development organiza- nately, there was a lack of follow-up. ties. Viewing climate change and climate tions, women’s and women ministers’ The first (and so far only) official men- protection more as a scientific than a politi- networks, and governmental departments tioning of women is contained in the text cal process, they also tend not to link po- were the most visible signs of this new of a COP7 Marrakech resolution in 2001. litical goals like social and gender justice situation. All in all, six side events ad- It calls for more nominations of women to to climate-related policy-making. They dressing primarily women’s/gender issues UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol bodies. It will need further, preferably quantitative, took place, with others integrating it into also tasks the UNFCCC-Secretariat with evidence of gender sensitivity in climate a broader framework; the highest rate of determining the gender composition of change in order to draw their attention to women’s representation ever. Issues ad- these bodies and with bringing their results gender issues. dressed were forestation/deforestation, ad- to the attention of the Parties. aptation, financing, energy, future climate At the following COPs, several side Future Steps: Diversity in regime and so on. Thus, it was not only the events on gender and climate change as Gender Activities number of events that set new records, but well as meetings of gender experts took Because of the rising coverage of climate also the variety of issues addressed. place, aiming to bring gender aspects to change by the media, women’s organisa- Close cooperation with observer the attention of participants and to discuss tions and gender experts are also taking groups, like trade unions, or the emerg- strategies towards increasing cooperation up these issues. They carry out campaigns ing movement “Climate Justice NOW” and improving lobbying efforts for a stron- in order to make women’s voices heard were proving excellent entry points for ger integration of gender perspectives into and to build their capacity. On the other gender issues. the negotiations. hand, UN organisations are starting to The new “Global Alliance Gender and train their climate-change staff to integrate Climate”, initiated by International Orga- A milestone was achieved at COP11 in gender into their programmes. Develop- nizations and WEDO, a Women’s NGO, 2005 in Montreal. In preparation for the ment organisations were among the first committed themselves to support gender conference, a strategy paper was drafted to analyse their local adaptation projects mainstreaming in the negotiations. by Genanet/LIFE/WECF (see p. 9) iden- from a gender perspective. Researchers are A press briefing by the network genderCC tifying possible entry points for gender starting as well to include questions related (women for climate justice) during the aspects into the climate change debates. to gender in their research programmes conference and media coverage in vari- and proposals. Hopefully the results of ous countries gave additional attention to According to the strategy, women engaged such activities will be presented at the the issues beyond the closed conference in three complementary activities: upcoming UNFCCC conferences. area. • Raising awareness and disseminating Additionally, the debate on climate Daily women’s meetings helped to information; equity is receiving increasing attention and draft positions and statements as well as • Building women’s capacity and joint the climate justice movement is growing; to coordinate lobbying efforts among the strategizing on gender mainstreaming both provide excellent entry points for women participating. in climate policy; gender debates. This will help to broaden Achievements in Bali during COP13 • Developing a future research agenda, the gender and climate justice movement were based on a long-term involvement strengthening the gender and climate- and to spread the vision of gender-just and strategy developed in recent years. change network (genderCC). climate-change strategies. More: www.gendercc.net

Sustainable Energy News 4 No. 60, April 2008 Women - Energy - Climate Theme No Climate Justice without Gender Justice Women activities in February, 2008 in Monaco By Chantal van Denbossche, Sascha Gabizon, and Sabine Bock, WECF (from left to right)

Women’s participation and experience are central when it comes to human rights and climate change. That’s why the United Na- tions Environment Program (UNEP) and Ministers’ Dialog with NGOs The civil society facilitating committee at the Women in Europe for a Common Future The joint UNEP and WECF WAVE- UNEP 10th special session elected for a 2 year term (WECF) organized a high-level ‘Women High Ministerial Side Event ‘Financing as the Voice for the Environment’ (WAVE) climate change from a gender and rights and Network of Women Environment perspective’, on February 21, 2008 was a Ministers side event during the UNEP follow-up to the activities of the Network Green Jobs - Towards Governing Council Meeting in Monaco of Women Environmental Ministers and Sustainable Work in a Low- in February 2008. GenderCC – women for climate justice at Carbon World the UNFCCC in Bali last December and to Aside from the WECF event, UNEP WECF Advocacy Work the WAVE events that took place in Bel- presented during the Governing Council The UNEP’s Conference in Monaco was grade last October during the Environment Meeting the first finding of their Green called ‘Mobilizing Finance for Climate for Europe Ministerial Conference. Jobs Report, together with the Interna- Action’ but, we can put as much money Eleven Ministers of Environment and tional Labour Organisation and the Inter- in Climate Change as we want, it can still Development Cooperation took part in the national Trade Union. increase poverty and injustice. We see this side event and high-level representatives WECF welcomed the new UNEP re- happening in the area of CDM funding for of 6 governments, the African Union, and port, and stressed specifically its gender Climate Change, which is not reaching two UN agencies also joined in the discus- sensitivity. We were glad to see that the the poorest. EU funds, needed for climate sions. In addition, various civil-society UNEP / Trade Union report stated clearly change mitigation and adaptation, going representatives attended the meetings and that jobs in the nuclear industry were not to nuclear research, which supports an participated in the session. The Ministers considered green at all. Nuclear energy industry, that creates great injustice when had dialogues with civil-society repre- is again too often being promoted as a we look at the lack of human rights for sentatives on the gender aspects of key solution for climate change. But so far the people living near uranium mines. And policy issues including bio-fuels, nuclear, global environmental community managed in all countries, as UN statistics show us, mitigation and adaptation programs and to keep nuclear out of the Kyoto protocol. women are the majority of the poor, and their impact on women and the poor. Promoting nuclear energy is irresponsible, often doubly affected by injustice and The outcome of the event is very posi- as none of the countries currently using poverty, as they are mostly the caretakers tive: Firstly, the agreement to work togeth- nuclear technology have been able to find of the ill and disabled. WECF is concerned er to ensure the inclusion of gender criteria a solution to protecting populations from about the effects of climate change and the in the post-Kyoto regime, to mainstream radiation. All the money going into new burdens that climate-related changes and gender criteria in funding programmes, nuclear energy would be much better spent disasters put on women, men and children, and/or to guarantee that 20% of funding in energy conservation and renewable including health, environmental, and eco- be allocated specifically for mitigation energies. The potential for them is enor- nomic impacts in our region and globally. and adaptation projects for women and mous. WECF works on the local level to Thus, there cannot be climate justice with- by women. Secondly, ministers made the give people access to safe energy. So we out gender justice. We therefore demand recommendation to the executive director look for decentralized sustainable energy a strong political commitment from every of UNEP to set aside a full day during the for ALL sectors of society, also for poor Government in the world to work for a far- next UNEP GC/GMEF for the Network of communities in rural areas, which will reaching post-Kyoto regime. This regime Women Environment Ministers to delib- be a benefit for the local economies. De- can only be successful if the perspectives erate on various gender issues arising in centralized sustainable energy can be for of women are fully taken into account. environmental management. them the way out of poverty. Therefore, we call for the participation of the public, Gender Side Events during the Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies of the UNFCCC especially women, in decision-making on Bonn, June 1- 13, 2008 energy sources and management and we call on governments and the private sector June 9, 2008 1-3 pm. - IFE and Gendercc: More Effective Policies & Measures – Engen- to shift investments from nuclear industry dering Better Results Through Integrating Gender Aspects. to renewable energies, which allow more June 11, 2008 1-3 pm. - WECF, Gendercc, and partners: Nuclear Power: Roadblock to and safer jobs to be created. Effective Climate Change. Contact: www.wecf.eu [email protected]

No. 60, April 2008 5 Sustainable Energy News Women - Energy - Climate Theme

Kyrgyzstan: Women’s Grass-Root Participation Brings Changes By Nurzat Abdyrasulova, Unison, INFORSE member, Kyrgyzstan

Unison, a small Kyrgyz environmental NGO (INFORSE member), with support from WECF (See on p. 9) will help empower local rural women to develop their village, Kommuna, in south- western Kyrgyzstan from April through December of this year. The project is aimed at improving part of the town’s in- Pictures of local community beneficiaries and of frastructure by installing better sanitation the old school that is to be rehabilitated. and energy-saving technologies and by training local community members in the Both teachers’ and pupils’ motivation use and care of the new equipment. is sorely tried in class during the winter The area surrounding the village months when the heating system is so faces the typical problems that plague strained that it is often overloaded and developing countries. Poverty is rampant, doesn’t work. The school’s sanitation unemployment is high, most of the labor system, which consists of outdoor pit toi- pool has migrated, the area is prone to lets, is in terrible shape. The build-up of ethnic conflict and the infrastructure is human waste contaminates ground water Intensive Training crumbling. Yet, this isn’t just one town and is a perfect facilitator for the spread of Installing new equipment is only one facet in a country suffering; this is a recurring water-borne illnesses to teachers, school of improving an area. Training must also story in most rural areas of predominately children and the entire village. The situa- be incorporated into any project to explain rural Kyrgyzstan. tion doesn’t improve when the pupils and the benefits of the new technology as well teachers leave at the end of the school day. as to enable the local community to care Grass Root Participation Lack of heat and power, coupled with poor for the equipment. Unison has selected The question is, what makes Kommuna sanitation, are also found in homes. local community members to take part in village different? Why does it stand an intensive training course throughout alone, when so many other similar places Energy Improvements the year. The training will emphasize the face identical problems? The answer is The project will install equipment to im- importance of energy-saving measures, grass-roots participation. It is not usually prove the energy and sanitation situation teaching participants how to take care of expected that villages will solve their own in the village. We will improve the learn- energy-saving devices and how the village problems. Unlike many townspeople, the ing environment through energy-saving can reduce its consumption of energy. villagers in Kommuna, who are predomi- measures such as thermal insulation of In turn, the trainers will train more in- nately women because the men have left floor and ceiling and insulation of heat dividuals, so that the entire village will to find jobs elsewhere, recognize their pipes. We will also install new doors and learn to understand energy issues via small problems. Part of the solution has been windows that are more energy-efficient. seminars. A local team of community recognizing that Kommuna needs outside These measures will reduce the effect of members will learn firsthand by witness- help and committing to receiving from the outdoor temperature on the indoor ing the construction of the urine-diverting outsiders the training needed to help lo- temperature. The school will retain heat toilet. The community members will also cal residents improve their village. Major and ease the strain on the overburdened be taught about hygiene and sanitation is- support from the government and from the energy system. sues and how to prevent diseases caused town’s women has been a driving force in by poor sanitation. the selection of Kommuna by Unison as Sanitation Solution Contact: www.unison.kg the implementation site for this project. The sanitation problem will be dealt with [email protected] Development requires an environ- by installing a urine-diverting toilet. A ment that encourages innovation. For urine-diverting toilet diverts the urine, Energy Globe Award to Unison the school system, this means that one which helps prevent human waste from 26 May, 2008 must create a context in which pupils can contaminating the ground water and re- Unison won the Energy Globe Award develop themselves through learning and, duces the likelihood that flies will carry with its project “Promotion of Energy in turn, develop their community. There diseases from the waste back to humans. Service Companies in Kyrgyzstan” will always be a debate on the best way The urine is also used to help fertilize in a competition among 853 projects to improve education. There is no ques- certain crops. The urine-diverting toilet re- from 109 nations. Award ceremony tion that qualified teachers are needed or duces illness and disease while providing will be at the European Parliament on that teachers can stimulate students, but the community with a renewable natural 26 May 2008. student self-motivation is also needed. fertilizer for food production.

Sustainable Energy News 6 No. 60, April 2008 Women - Energy - Climate Theme Bangladesh: 1,000 Women Trained to Solar and Cookstoves By Abser Kamal, Grameen Shakti Women technicians (INFORSE member), Bangladesh trained by Grameen Shakti in Bangladesh Mossamat Sahenoor is a young woman from a rural village in Bangladesh. Like many other young women in thousands of rural villages in Bangladesh, she was born into poverty with few opportunities to earn an income and to become a contributing member of her society.

Grameen Shakti Brings Changes and she has also constructed these stoves have participated. These programs are Grameen Shakti (GS) has changed all that. in several neighbouring houses. She says empowering the rural women to take It has set up twenty Grameen Technology “Now I can solve my own problems and care of their systems and at the same Centers (GTCs) in the rural areas to train help others to solve theirs “ time building awareness in rural families, local women as Solar and Improved Cook including the next generation. Technicians. These GTCs are making Renewable Entrepreneurs Grameen Shakti has developed sustain- huge contribution to gender balance by More than 1,000 rural women have been able models for taking renewable energy transforming rural women, who are the trained just like Sahenoor – many of them technologies to the rural people, blending main victims of energy crisis, into agents are fabricating accessories at the local innovative applications of micro-credit of social change to bring light, energy and GTCs and others are marketing, install- with grass-roots community participa- income to their communities. ing, and repairing solar home systems tion along with free efficient, effective Massomat Sahenoor was one of the and improved cook stoves. Many of them after-sales service and consumer-friendly young women who participated in the will soon set up their own business to options such as buyback. Women Technician Training Program ar- promote renewable energy technologies ranged by Grameen Technology Center, in their communities. These women are 1,000,000 Solar Homes Potuakhali. She learned how to install, the forerunners of the entrepreneur and Grameen Shakti has installed more than repair and maintain solar home systems community forces that Grameen Shakti is 130,000 solar home systems, with around and improved cook stoves. She was taught creating to propel its program ahead. 5,000 systems installed per month. all these by women, engineers who run the Grameen Shakti plans to install one local GTCs. Training, Credits and more million systems by 2015. Women tech- Now Sahenoor is a confident and effi- Grameen Technology Centers also train nicians-cum-entrepreneurs mentored by cient Solar Technician who is helping her women from consumer families in simple Grameen Technology Centers will play a neighbors to solve their solar-home-system trouble-shooting of solar power systems. crucial role in this effort. related problems. She is also promoting In addition, GTCs conduct Renewable improved cook stoves. She has con- Energy Awareness Program sessions for Contact: www.gshakti.org structed an improved stove in her home rural school children, over 5000 of whom [email protected], CRT-Nepal Became Asia Coordinator for ENERGIA By Rekha Maskey, CRT Nepal.

Recently, the Centre for was organized by Rural Technology Nepal ENERGIA in col- (CRT/N), an INFORSE laboration with member, has been se- UNDP Regional lected by ENERGIA as Centre in Bang- Regional Secretariat for the Asia Region kok and the logis- for the period 2007-10. tical support was The ENERGIA National Focal Points provided by CRT. The goal was to increase Christina Aristanti from the Asia Regional are in 9 countries of the region, namely, the capabilities of development agents to Cookstoves Program. The 32 participants India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, mainstream gender concerns into energy who were trained included both practitio- Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Lao access projects and policies. The training ners and trainers. Of the total, there were PDR and Nepal. course brought together energy-project 22 female and 10 male participants. They practitioners and trainers, who came away came from the Asian region, i.e., from In- Gender and Energy Training with new knowledge to apply to their re- dia, Lao, Vietnam, Philippines, Sri Lanka, The first successful events of the start spective project work situations and who Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nepal, was an international training course on will form a core of resource persons at the Bhutan and China. “Mainstreaming Gender Concerns in En- national level within Asian countries. The ergy Projects” in Chiang Mai, Thailand on training program was conducted by Joy Contact: www.crtnepal.org October 22-26, 2007. The training course Clancy from the University of Twente and [email protected]

No. 60, April 2008 7 Sustainable Energy News Women - Energy - Climate Theme Micro-hydro Units in the Himalayas By Pranai Thapa, Programme Coordinator, LEDeG, India Ladakh Ecological Development Group users themselves. This not only gives the (LEDeG) has been working for more than villagers a sense of ownership but also 30 years for the people living in isolated, makes systems (more) self-sustaining. remote areas in the harsh climatic condi- Each village has its own committee, which tions of Ladakh’s cold deserts. makes decisions on power distribution Churning butter: The 57 micro-hydro units installed and tariff fixation as well as penalties for traditional way (left) have significantly improved standards of defaulters in the villages. These commit- and electrical way living by reducing drudgery, mainly for tees are backed by a village council for powered by hydro- women, but also for children. They can purposes of advice and major conflict power unit. work/study much longer at nights without resolution in the villages. hydro units in remote villages. In 2007, 14 using kerosene lights, which are harmful machines were installed which are pow- to health in closed rooms. LEDeG also Project 2005-09 for 1,500 Families ered by the micro-hydro units, including promotes decentralized water supply; it In an on going project to increase income flour mills, butter churners, one oil-expel- has installed 63 hydraulic ram pumps, generation activities, LEDeG works with ler, and one nut cracker in 5 villages with which have increased substantially the partners to benefit 1,500 families. The 25% subsidy from the project. This has income of the marginalized farmers in the project aims to equip 20 villages with remarkably reduced drudgery of women past three decades. micro-hydropower with a capacity of 5 as these machines saves lots of time and The involvement of people from each to 10 kW, paid 70% from the project and hard labour in butter churning, and grind- community has been proven as the most 30% by local communities. The project ing of barley or wheat; tasks where mostly crucial factor in the successful integration also aims to equip the villages with electric women are involved. of technologies and initiatives at the grass- machines for both income generation as Some women self help groups have roots level. LEDeG believes that systems well as basic services. also bought electrical wool spinning and should be operated and maintained by the LEDeG has already installed 9 micro- carding machines that give them oppor- tunities to earn some extra income. The project provides 30% subsidy for these. India: Follow-up of INFORSE Activities Contact: www.ledeg.org Manuals, Jatropa, Open Uni, Soft Loans, Financing [email protected] By Lalita Balakrishnan, All India Women’s Conference, INFORSE Focal point for Gender, India Financing for Household Energy Follow-up to INFORSE’s Sustainable The Cop/Mop climate conference held in INFORSE-AIWC Energy Manual to Bali in December 2007 stressed, among Poverty Programmes Reduction other things, the importance of dealing The three-year project in with the impacts of biomass production entitled “INFORSE English, for household energy, which could be a Capacity Building for Hindi, key issue for the future. It reminds us Nepalese, Sustainable Energy Solutions (SES) for Bangladeshi, that although the poorest have contributed Poverty Reduction”, conducted with IN- and least to CHG emissions, they are the most FORSE-South Asia & the Danish NGOs Singhalese. vulnerable to climate impacts. OVE and DIB, came to a successful close Taking this into consideration, AIWC in January 2008. The project partners in caters to 5 million students and has 1,700 together with INFORSE South Asia’s India are AIWC, INSEDA and SDA. As centres all over the world, and that is rec- organisations are taking steps to scale follow-up to the project´s, the project ognizing the need for sharing and utilizing up improved cooking with the support partners have formulated various projects expertise with NGOs. IGNOU is about to of carbon financing, which could lead to and are exploring funding possibilities. launch a five-year program of capacity- a win-win opportunity. We have had a The proposed efforts make use of the building as well as a new certificate course number of meetings with the concerned Sustainable Energy Technology Manual in sustainable development. Emphasising experts, including those from GTZ CDM and the Financial Manuals made by the the role of women in sustainable develop- Department. SDA’s biogas plants, which participants of the project. ment, IGNOU has identified members to are already built and in operation, have Among the projects are: form a core group from national organi- been bundled and necessary applications - INSEDA & WAFD are implementing zations like AIWC, INSEDA SDA, and are being sent. In the same way, AIWC the promotion of Jatropha cultivation INFORSE. AIWC’s computer education is in the process of applying for carbon utilizing Panchayat (local village-level center became approved to run this new credits for the energy-saving–efficiency authority) waste/ unused portion of lands course. measures in its central office at its Delhi and boundaries of fields co-operatively as - One of the national banks, Canara Bank, premises as well as for bundled savings well as on an individual basis. This project has offered soft loans and certain seed effected by various AIWC branches involves village youth and women. funding for organizations recommended throughout the country. - Collaboration with IGNOU (Indira by AIWC for the promotion of renewable- Contact: www.aiwc.org Gandhi National Open University), which energy technologies. [email protected]

Sustainable Energy News 8 No. 60, April 2008 Who is Who in the Women Theme? Who is Who ? GenderCC - Women for LIFE Genanet - Focal Climate Justice – Women Point Gender, Develop Environment, Eco-Technics Sustainability Network created by women (and some men) from around the globe during UNFCCC COP9 Organisation created in 1988 by women work- Branch of LIFE, with a special focus on main- in Milan in 2003 in order to bring gender into ing at the Technical University of Berlin. streaming gender into environmental policy. the climate change regime. Since then, the net- In the beginning, the most prominent aim was It started its work in 2003. work has organised activities during the COPs to increase the share of women in eco-technics Genanet has been created to raise awareness as it grew and became slowly but steadily and in particular in renewable energy. In 1994 of gender equity issues in environment and more recognized. Today, there are more than the eco-technical training center for women sustainability policy as well as to integrate it 100 gender & climate-change experts from all was built up in Berlin. Today, the activities and into research and to implement gender main- world regions involved in the network. aims have broadened; there are more than 40 streaming in environmental policymaking and The GenderCC network has received fund- persons working in several projects. in the activities of environmental organisations. ing supporting women’s participation in the Financial support for the projects is given by, Genanet carries out campaigns and confer- UNFCCC conferences and creating an internet e.g., the of Berlin, German Federal ences. Genanet is cooperating closely with platform from UNDP and from the German Ministries, foundations, EC and UN Programs. women’s networks in Germany and elsewhere Environmental Ministry. LIFE is member of INFORSE. in Europe. Contact: [email protected], www.gendercc. Contact: [email protected], Contact: [email protected], net, To join the mailing list, please send an [email protected], www.genanet.de. email to [email protected]. www.life-online.de. WECF - Women in Europe Grameen Shakti for a Common Future, Organisation formed in Bangla- ENERGIA, Internation- Network of over 90 organiza- desh in 1996. It is part of the al Network on Gender tions in Western and Eastern “Grameen family” of organisa- and Sustainable Energy Europe, the Caucasus and tions together with Grameen Bank. Its aim is to Network founded in 1995. Central Asia working on promote the use of renewabale energy among It links individuals and sustainable development, health and environ- rural households as a mean against poverty and groups concerned with ment, and poverty reduction. WECF strives for to protect the environment. Its main success has energy, sustainable development, and gender. a healthy environment for all. been promotion of solar home systems with a ENERGIA is aiming to empower women and WECF promotes safe and sustainable energy combination of micro-credits and technical to introduce gender-sensitive approaches into for all, i.e. ecological, fair and locally produced assistance; but it is also promoting biogas and the area of energy for sustainable development energy. WECF was established at the Earth other forms of renewable energy. The majority especially in Africa and Asia. The Secretariat Summit in Rio in 1992. It receives support from of its users are women. It has received support is in the Netherlands. There are national and the Dutch and German Ministries of Environ- from USAID, the World Bank, Stichting Gilles subregional focal points in Africa and Asia. ment and from other foundations. (Belgium) and many others. ENERGIA has received support from DGIS Contact: www.wecf.org. Grameen Shakti is member of INFORSE and (Dutch Directorate General of International focal point for Bangladesh. Cooperation) and Sida (Swedish International Contact: www.gshakti.org. Development Agency). It also conducts activi- UNISON ties together with UNDP. Organisation established in 2002 CRT/N - ENERGIA is member of INFORSE. in Kyrgyzstan. Its aim is achiev- Centre for Rural Technology Contact: www.energia.org. ing an environment-friendly Organisation established in 1989 Kyrgyzstan. UNISON has carried out projects in Nepal. It is engaged in develop- on education for sustainable development, pro- ing and promoting appropriate/rural technolo- AIWC motion and use of renewable energy including gies in meeting the basic needs of the rural All PV for health facilities, and other issues. It has communities and improving their life. It has India received support from European Commission received support from UNEP, the German Women’s (EC), Slovakia, UK, and private foundations. GTZ, UNDP, and many others. Conference UNISON is member of INFORSE as well as CRT/N is member of INFORSE and focal member of WECF. point for Nepal. CRT is also focal point to Organisation founded in 1927 to function as Contact: www.unison.kg ENERGIA. an organization dedicated to the upliftment Contact: www.crtnepal.org. and betterment of women and children. AIWC INFORSE - Interna- today has over 156,000 members in more than tional Network for LEDeG - Ladakh Ecological 500 branches across India. It is recognized as Sustainable Energy Development Group a premier organization working for women’s Network of 150 NGOs formed in 1992. Organisation formed in 1983 in development and empowerment and has been INFORSE is working for sustainable energy Ladakh in India. Its goal is to involved in a large number of projects including solutions to reduce poverty and protect the promote sustainable development of Ladakh. projects on renewable energy for reduction of environment. The members include some of Among its many activities in the field of ap- poverty. It has received support from a large the most active NGOs on gender and energy. propriate technology, the organisation has number of national and international organisa- INFORSE receives support from a number worked on a wide range of renewable energy tions as well as private donations. of sources, including support to INFORSE- technologies, adapting them to suit local condi- AIWC is member of INFORSE and focal point Europe - its European region - from the EC. tions. LEDeG has received support from EC, for gender issues in India. AIWC is also Mem- INFORSE follows gender and energy issues government of India, and others. ber of ENERGIA regularly, in Sustainable Energy News and on LEDeG is member of INFORSE Contact: www.aiwc.org. www.inforse.org/europe/sen_gender.htm. Contact: www.ledeg.org.

No. 60, April 2008 9 Sustainable Energy News Europe: INFORSE-Europe Activities INFORSE-Europe Activities in 2008 INFORSE INFORSE-Europe remains active in 2008 with support from the EU, from the at Climate Nordic Council of Ministers, and from the Norwegian Forum for Development Conference in and Environment. While we are still negotiating the EU support, we have already Poland started political activities, seminars, visions, etc. The activities will continue with December 1-12, 2008 a European sustainable energy seminar in (see below), comments on EU At the coming UN Climate Conference policies, Distance Internet Education on Renewable Energy Technologies (DI- in Poznan, Poland in December 2008, ERET), screening of energy and climate policies in 8 Central European countries, INFORSE will be present with coordina- and participation in the international climate conference “COP14” in Poland tors from Africa, Asia and Europe. together with other INFORSE regions. INFORSE will use its presence to ar- gue for more focus on sustainable energy EU Policies Open to Debate NGOs Discussing solutions, including sustainable solutions in Seminar in Brussels Sustainable for developing countries based on the April 8, 2008 Energy in France experiences of the members. We hope to The new EU policies were up for debate August or September, do that in a fruitful cooperation with the when NGOs, EU Commission officials, 2008 many other NGOs that are active at the EU Parliamentarians, and many others INFORSE-Europe will in- conference. Our participation will be made discussed EU’s sustainable energy policies vite NGOs to a seminar for discussions possible by support from the Norwegian on April 8 at the European Sustainable on sustainable energy in France, to be held Forum for Development and Environment Energy Policy Seminar. At the seminar during one week in August-September, and from the EU. the participants also discussed the new during the French EU Presidency. There renewable-energy directive, sustainable will be also time during the seminar to Energy 21 transport and biofuels, EU guidelines discuss sustainable-energy education and Again in the for environmental state aid, visions for many other issues. INFORSE-Europe will UK sustainable energy, and other topics. IN- organise it together with Comité Liaison September 19-21, FORSE-Europe and European Renewable Energies Renouvelables (CLER). 2008 Energy Federation (EREF) organised the Read more on the seminar and how to In a time when the British seminar for the fifth year in Brussels. This participate at www.inforse.org/europe. government is increasingly embrac- year more than 50 people participated. ing nuclear power and leaving renewable Presentations from the seminar are now Sustainable Energy Visions energy aside, INFORSE-Europe will co- available online at http://www.inforse. in Barcelona, on the 22nd organise a seminar to revive local forces org/europe/seminar08_BXL.htm . Chernobyl Day for sustainable energy throughout Britain April 25-26, 2008 with the Energy21 network. This will be Sustainable energy visions and NGO ac- held at Centre for Alternative Technology tivities are the main focus at the 10th Fo- in Wales on September 19-21, 2008. rum for Sustainable Energy in Barcelona, Read more at www.inforse.org/europe or April 25-26, 2008. The forum is organised www.cat.uk.org. by Group Cientifics i Tecnics Per un Futur No Nuclear (GCTPFNN) in Barcelona Project “Enabling NGOs to Picture: The EU Parliamentarians Britta Thomsen together with 50 organisations and com- Promote Sustainable Energy (Socialists) and Claude Turmes (Greens) started panies including INFORSE-Europe. the seminar with their view on the new EU and Beyond” and climate package together with Peter Vis (EU The Nordic Council of Ministers has Commission, cabinet of commissioner Andris Presentations of INFORSE-Europe’s decided to support the above-named proj- Piebalgs) and Dörte Fouquet, EREF. work, European Sustainable Energy ect of INFORSE-Europe and five other Visions, ZeroCarbonBritain, and many NGOs. Among the activities proposed are Sustainable Energy Week others will be available at dissemination of public information in Be- January 28 - February 1, 2008 www.energiasostenible.org . larus about renewable energy and energy INFORSE-Europe participated at the efficiency; work on sustainable energy exhibition in the building visions for Belarus, Latvia, and Lithu- during the EU Sustainable energy week ania; a sustainable-energy exhibition tour in January 2008. in Belarus; and training courses. Along More than 300 people visited the with INFORSE-Europe, the partners are INFORSE-Europe’s stall and took the Minsk Division of Association of Ecolo- latest issue of Sustainable Energy News gists, Foundation for Realisation Ideas and some of our brochures of INFORSE’s (Belarus), Ecodome (Belarus), Latvian activities. Green Movement, Atgaja (Lithuania), and Norwegian Association for Nature Gunnar Boye Olesen meeting Ilka Neumann from EU SE Campaign at the INFORSE-Europe stand. Conservation. The activities are also sup- See more photos at http://www.inforse.org/europe/ ported by Swedish Acid Rain Secretariat exhib_EUSEW08.htm and partly by the EU.

Sustainable Energy News 10 No. 60, April 2008 Europe: EU Policy Update of allowances. Free allowances should be incentives for, and on imports of, liquid EU Policy limited to industries in strong competition fuels derived from biomass (crops and/or Update with companies outside the EU. trees) from large-scale monocultures. • Revised guidelines for state aid that al- • Stop including greenhouse-gas reduction Edited by Gunnar low higher state aid for renewable energy; quotas from countries outside the EU in Boye Olesen, but that introduce state aid for Carbon the EU-ETS. INFORSE-Europe Capture and Storage. • Do not transfer EU-ETS allowances from • A proposal for demonstration plants for the present period (2008-12) to the follow-

EU Energy & Climate Packet CO2 capture and storage (CCS). ing period. Many countries have given In January 2008, the EU Commission • Evaluation of national energy-efficiency their industries large quotas for the present launched an energy and climate packet. It action plans for the energy service direc- period, and this should not be allowed to shall implement the 2007 decision of EU tive. lead to future excess emissions, with the leaders on targets for greenhouse gas emis- windfall profits for greenhouse-gas emitters sion reductions and renewable energy. The INFORSE Opinion that are receiving allowances for free. main elements of the packet are: While the package offers good proposals, • Change the EU guidelines for state aid • A proposal for a directive for renewable it is crucial that it be improved in a number to disallow state aid for Carbon Capture energy. This includes national targets to of ways if the EU is to meet its targets and Storage (CCS). The polluting industry reach 20% renewable energy in 2020 by for 2020, and contribute to sustainable must pay itself for CCS. the EU-27 on average; a target of 10% development with reductions of man-made • Clear compliance rules are vital to suc- for renewable energy in transport by climate change to 2’C. The most urgently cess, including penalty rules for failure to 2020 (instead of the earlier proposed 10% needed improvements are: comply with targets. biofuels target); sustainability criteria • The proposals must lead to 30% or for biofuels/agrofuels; renewable energy greater greenhouse-gas reductions from The Process Ahead certificates for certificate trading, mainly 1990 to 2020. Current proposals focus Since January, the EU countries have de- among countries. It will replace directives on just 20% greenhouse-gas reductions bated the package at meetings of the EU for renewable energy in electricity supply by 2020 and only indicate how to realise countries’ energy ministers, environmental and transport. the 30% reduction that the prime ministers ministers, finance ministers and prime • A proposal for burden-sharing among agreed in 2007. ministers. The countries have not agreed the EU countries, dividing an overall 20% • There should be no trade among com- upon the proposals, the energy ministers greenhouse-gas reduction target 1990- panies with renewable-energy certificates were concerned that the targets are ambi- 2020 into a target for sectors covered by (certificates of origin). Such trade can tious, and the environmental ministers EU emissions trading (EU-ETS - about undermine national schemes for renew- were concerned that energy-intensive 40% of emissions) and a target for other able energy. industry might move out of the EU. The sectors. The reduction target for sectors • Clarification of the renewable transport prime ministers were a bit more progres- covered by EU-ETS is 21% for 2005- target, so it is clearly stated that the target sive: they confirmed the 30% reduction 2020 and for other sectors together 10%, covers all types of renewable energy. target and agreed that the package must also for the period 2005-2020. National INFORSE-Europe further proposes that be agreed by the end of 2008. It is cru- targets for the other sectors range from the target be replaced with a sustainable cial to reach a result this year as the EU 20% reductions to 20% increases, the transportation target. Parliament and Commission will change latter for countries with large reductions • The proposed sustainability criteria for next year. in 1990-1995. biofuels are not sufficient to eliminate the Read more about INFORSE-Europe opinions • A revision of the EU-ETS from 2013, social and environmental problems now and the latest developments at: where the EU Commission proposes to seen with biofuels. INFORSE-Europe http://www.inforse.org/europe/EU_policy_07- take over from the countries the allocation proposes a moratorium on targets and 08-06.htm.

EU Ecodesign of Boilers, Light, and Much More In the first part of 2008, the Ecodesign appliances, and have large potentials for NGOs and several coun- Consultation Forum has already discussed reductions in consumption. The proposal tries supported a fast phase- boilers, water heaters, electric lights, ex- included minimum efficiency standards out including halogen lamps, but ternal power supplies, and set-top boxes and labels to allow consumers to compare some industry groups and countries to convert digital TV signals for ana- different products. Electric heaters were resisted a fast transition. logue televisions. INFORSE-Europe has penalised by a factor 2.5 because of their Currently, the EU Commission is worked with other NGOs to give inputs high primary energy demand. The NGOs working on draft EU legislation that will and has pushed for a strong increase in supported the proposal with a few amend- enforce the proposals. These drafts will energy efficiency. ments. Unfortunately many countries then be presented to a regulatory commit- In one of the most ambitious pro- are reluctant to implement such radical tee of EU countries that will vote on each posals, the EU Commission promoted changes in the regulation of boilers and legislative proposal, which, if approved, one system to regulate all boilers and water heaters. will become law in the EU. water heaters working with gas, oil, and In another proposal, the EU Commis- electricity, including heat pumps and sion proposed a possible phase-out of INFORSE-Europe and other NGO net- solar-assisted heaters. Boilers and water incandescent light bulbs, and eventually works are following the process. Contact heaters are among the most used types of also of the less efficient halogen lamps. INFORSE-Europe for more information.

No. 60, April 2008 11 Sustainable Energy News Subscribe to Contents Sustainable Women Theme: p. 2-9 Editorial: More Women Needed for Energy Decisions, Break the “Glass Ceiling” on Sustainability News: 25 € for 4 issues/year Seeking Global Influences: • “Don’t nuke the climate“ Women Ac- INFORSE-Europe, Gl. Kirkevej 82, tions in Bali 8530, Hjortshøj Denmark. • Women’s Role in the UN Climate Pro- F: +45-86227096, cess: from Berlin to Bali and Beyond E: [email protected], • No Climate Justice without Gender www.inforse.org Justice • Women activities in February, 2008 in Monaco Local and Regional Efforts: 1,000 Contacts - Online • Kyrgyzstan: Women’s Grass-Root Par- ticipation Brings Changes INFORSE maintains a database of • Bangladesh: 1000 Women Trained to more than 1,000 NGOs and public Solar and Cookstoves officials, including as well research • Asia: CRT-Nepal Became Asia Coordi- and educational institutions that nator for ENERGIA are actively working in renewable • India: Follow-up of INFORSE Ac- energy. These contacts include all tivities: Manuals, Jatropha, Open Uni, INFORSE members and span 159 Soft Loans, Financing countries. The database is available • India: Micro-hydro Units in the Hima- through our website and can be layas searched by membership, country and name. Who is Who?

Europe p. 10-11 Check your organisation ! Corrections are welcome INFORSE-Europe Activities in 2008: • EU Policies Open to Debate in Seminar Global database: www.inforse.org/regions in Brussels, April 8, 2008 European region: www.inforse.org/europe/memblist.php3 • Sustainable Energy Week, January ’08 African region: www.inforse.org/africa/memblist.php3 • NGOs Discussing Sustainable Energy in Asian region: www.inforse.org/asia/memblist.php3 France in August or September, 2008 • Sustainable Energy Visions in Barcelona, on the 22nd Chernobyl Day, April 25-26, 2008 • INFORSE at Climate Conference in Poland, December 1-12, 2008 • Energy 21 - Again in the UK DIERET - Distant Internet September 19-21, 2008 Education on • Project “Enabling NGOs to Promote Renewable Energy Sustainable Energy in Belarus and Technologies Beyond” CD available, 15€ EU Policy Update p. 11 www.inforse.org/ • EU Energy & Climate Packet europe/educat.htm • EU Ecodesign of Boilers, Light, and Much More Back Page p. 12 • Subscribe to Sustainable Energy News • Contact List Online • DIERET online education and CD