Remarks By Ambassador Mary Jo Wills at Opening of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Technology Workshop

July 21, 2010, Domaine Les Pailles

The Honorable Devah Virahsawmy, Minister of the Environment,
Mr. John Boecker,
Mr. Max Zaniser,
Mrs. Joya Bhandari,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to be here with builders, architects government officials and other stakeholders who are considering Green Building Standards in Mauritius.  Energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts are all important elements in our collective response to one of the great challenges of our time - climate change. 

Climate change as you are aware is an undisputed and far-reaching global phenomenon. Although its precise effects are difficult to calculate, climate change has started to manifest itself in dramatic as well as subtle changes on the Planet. The impacts of climate change on Mauritius will take various forms. There will be complex effects on the well-being of human beings and the natural environment, and detrimental effects on all sectors the economy can be expected.   This is where I wish to commend the Government of Mauritius for initiating the Maurice Ile Durable Project ---which clearly demonstrates the Government’s concern about the future of the young generations.

In the private sector, I am happy to see that architects, builders and property owners are putting into practice Green Building Standards in Mauritius, such as the new Mauritius Commercial Bank building now under construction in Ebene, Cyber city.

And I welcome the opportunity to share with you efforts the United States has undertaken to do it’s part to help conserve resources and save our environment. 

Under the leadership of President Barack Obama, the United States has done more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than ever before by supporting domestic policies that advance clean energy and engaging vigorously and constructively in international climate negotiations.

On the Domestic Front

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has instituted historic new vehicle efficiency standards that will increase fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas pollution by requiring an average fuel economy of 35.5 mpg by 2016.

President Obama signed an Executive Order on Federal Sustainability, committing the Federal government to lead by example and help build a clean energy economy through improved government operations.

The Executive Order, along with other initiatives, requires Federal agencies to collectively reduce emissions 28 percent by 2020; increase energy efficiency; and reduce vehicle fleet petroleum consumption.  It requires federal agencies to do this by:

• improving water efficiency 26% by 2020;
• reaching the goal of 50% recycling and waste diversion by 2015;
• Implementing the 2030 net-zero-energy building requirement;
• And mandating that 95% of all applicable contracts meet sustainability standards.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is urging U.S. Embassies around the world to go green --- As a matter of fact, Secretary Clinton has contracted architects to design a garden roof for the diplomacy headquarters in Washington, DC.  In addition, the private sector is also implementing green measures…one of the greatest example I can share with you, is the Empire State Building… As part of an effort to become certifiably green, the office tower is removing, retrofitting and replacing each of its 6,514 double-hung, dual-pane windows. That's 26,056 panes of glass.

In International Negotiations

The United States is working toward a global strategy to combat climate change by elevating climate and clean energy to the top of our agenda in key bilateral and multilateral relationships.

Last year in Copenhagen, aided by U.S. leadership, the international community took a meaningful and unprecedented step forward in international climate negotiations that resulted in the Copenhagen Accord.
The Copenhagen Accord contains  key elements that are essential to a long term solution to the climate change challenge including: actions by all major economies to mitigate climate change; transparency to see that those actions are taken; and financing and technology support to help the poorest and most vulnerable developing nations.  And the United Stats is also engaging other G-20 partners to implement a commitment to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies worldwide.  Doing so could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 10 percent or more by 2050.

Ultimately climate change agreements are not just about limiting carbon emissions but are major steps towards promoting sustainable economic development by moving the world toward a low-carbon economy.

Moving the World Toward a Low-Carbon Economy

The effort to build a sustainable, clean energy global economy can drive investment and job creation around the world, while bringing energy services to hundreds of millions of the world’s poor.

The U.S. will continue to work hard with international partners toward combating climate change and reaching a strong legally binding international agreement that puts the world on a pathway to a clean energy future and sustainable economic prosperity.

Thank you for your attention, and my best wishes for a productive workshop.