“Renewable energy will last forever” says UN chief

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged leaders to redouble their efforts in harnessing clean energy.

“We all know that renewable energy is limitless and will last forever,” Mr. Ban said at a debate last January 17 hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Financial Times in Abu Dhabi.

“It offers us great security and peace of mind,” he added. “Costs have come down so quickly that it is now often the cheapest option. And the more renewable energy facilities we build, the cheaper they will become.”

The UN chief noted that since his last visit in 2012, enormous changes have occurred—with the springing up of solar panels and wind turbines. He also highlighted the landmark agreements reach last year by the international community on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and on climate change.

“Renewable energy is central to both,” he stressed. “It will help provide solutions to the climate challenge, and to poverty, food security and many other challenges. Clean, renewable energy will act as a catalyst and a force-multiplier for the SDGs. If we achieve it well before 2030, it will vastly improve our chances of achieving the other SDGs.”

“Events like this are vital to spread the word and spur other companies and institutions to examine their energy consumption and take part in the transition,” he said. “One of the highlights in Paris [COP21] was the wave of announcements from the private sector, investors and financial institutions, cities and governments on their commitments to renewables.”