The R20 conference, taking place January 31st-February 1st, 2013 in Vienna, with Founding Chair Arnold Schwarzenegger, focuses on the topic of implementing the sustainable energy future. On that occasion, we had the chance to meet with Kandeh Yumkella, Director General UNIDO. We asked him what Renault-Nissan could do to develop a more sustainable and energy efficient future for all. Here is what he told us.
“First of all, let me thank the CEO of Renault-Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, for supporting the General Secretary of the United Nations as we’re developing sustainable energy for all. His ideas and also the direct support of M. Schulz and his team in helping us define what the Initiative should do, is highly appreciated.
Second, what we’re looking for now, as we’re going forward, is to form a coalition with the CEO of Renault-Nissan and a few other CEOs, that really believe that we can have a zero-emission car future. And we work with them, to see how we can support THEM, to convince governments and municipalities, to create the right incentives so that consumers will also purchase these kind of vehicles.
So we look forward to action, we need more advocacy and communication as you heard today. It’s a long transition. But also the technology. I am convinced, as M. Schulz said on the panel, that in fact, these technologies exist. But pricing matters, public policy matters and also influencing consumers to know that yes, you can be comfortable, as Schwarzenegger said, in a Hummer, but you can using a different fuel source. So I’m looking forward now to continuing this partnering, and I hope I’ll be visiting the CEO of Renault-Nissan soon to see how we can continue this partnership.”
UNIDO Director General, Kandeh Yumkella and Renault expert leader environment, energy & strategic raw materials, Philippe Schulz, have previously worked together in a high level group on sustainable energy for all.
Vienna R20 panel #1 on energy mix of the future with Kandeh Yumkella, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michèle Sabban et Philippe Schulz.
R20 -not to be mistaken with Rio+20, the Earth Summit, or the Renault 20 (!)- is a nonprofit environmental organization founded in November 2010, by former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, with the support of the United Nations.
Find out more :
- Kandeh Yumkella biography on UNIDO website
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization website
- Vienna R20 conference program
Credits: http://blog.renault.com
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