As nations around the world recognise the realities of peak oil and inevitable climate change caused by over-dependence on fossil fuel-generated energy, the global battle for market share of the ever-increasing renewable energy industry is gathering momentum.
China and the USA top the list of countries fostering the strongest renewable energy corporations and companies – the two nations are jockeying for position in a sometimes tense relationship fraught with diplomatic pitfalls to do with free trade and protectionist policies. According to the US Department of Commerce, clean energy is the fastest growing sector of a $6 trillion dollar global cash bag, and it means to get its share.
This week the US launched its latest salvo in the renewable energy title fight. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today joined seven other U.S. government agencies in launching a coordinated effort to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency exports – the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Export Initiative.
“The Initiative lays the foundation necessary to help U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency companies take better advantage of current market opportunities,” Locke said. “It also positions federal government programs to better support U.S. global competitiveness in these sectors over the long run.”
The Initiative is a way for the US to streamline its renewable energy strategy in a new world order, where policy efficiency is the key to market success, and governments need to take an active role in the free market paradigm.
According to the US Dept. Of Commerce, “Government will support renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) exporters by offering new financing products, enhancing market access, increasing trade promotion and improving the delivery of export promotion services to current and future RE&EE companies.”
