Some fifty countries have signed up to join a new international organization aimed at spreading renewable energy technology around the world, but for now at least, Canada is sitting on the sidelines.Under Stephan Harper, Canada's environmental record has been dismal. So far, fifty countries have joined IRENA and as for the other laggards, they are the usual suspects:
The decision not to join has left veteran diplomats mystified, while environmentalists and opposition politicians say this is just one more example of the Conservative government's lax environmental policy.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will be formally established at a founding ceremony in Bonn, Germany on January 26, 2009.
The soon-to-be-founded organization, according to German Ambassador Matthias Höpfner, "aims at becoming the main driving force in promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale."
Among them are many of Canada's traditional, wealthy allies such as the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Italy, the Scandinavian countries, New Zealand and many other European countries.
Also present are burgeoning world superpowers and energy consumers India and China, as well as other developing nations such as Pakistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Argentina, Ghana, Egypt, Mexico and Colombia.
Notably absent at the table will be Japan—an important inventor of energy efficient technology —Russia, Australia and the United States.
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