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The e-Parliament Network on Climate and Energy was founded in 2003 by Ernst von Weizsäcker, and has since brought together legislators who share a high degree of expertise and interest in energy issues. The Chairman of the Network is David Chaytor MP from the United Kingdom Parliament.
The Network is currently conducting a poll of the world's democratic legislators, asking them which energy issue they believe should receive the most attention in national parliaments. By July 2006, we have received over 400 votes from legislators in 51 different Parliaments around the world - and the polling continues. You can see the current results of the poll by clicking on the VOTE button above.
The results of the poll so far reveal a rather consistent pattern of priorities. Legislators from more developed countries have spread their votes wide - with 'Renewable Energy' gaining the most votes. Legislators from developing countries, by contrast, have voted overwhelmingly for 'Energy Access for the Poor'. Based on this overwhelming vote by developing country legislators, the e-Parliament has consulted with a large number of experts in this field, asking them what legislators can do in their own parliaments to address the issue of energy access. Based on these consultations, new policy ideas have been added to our Ideas Bank, and the polling will enter a new phase.
We are now in the process of organizing a second round of polling to determine which specific access-related policy initiatives should become the focus of our work on energy access. After conducting this poll, we will organize several conference calls between experts and interested legislators to discuss policy initiatives to promote energy access for the poor. Our work on energy access will culminate in an inter-parliamentary hearing, which will take place in Nairobi in November 2006. A second round of polling will similarly be organized for 'Renewable Energies' which is the other energy solution given top-priority by legislators in the initial round of polling.
The e-Parliament Network on Climate and Energy has also conducted a pilot project on appliance efficiency standards. Legislators involved in the project have introduced initiatives on appliance standby power consumption e.g. in the Brazilian Congress and the European Parliament. Our work on appliance efficiency standards continues, and several conference calls between efficiency experts and interested legislators will take place later in the year. (return to top)
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