JUCCCE, A Plan to Meet China's Energy Challenge: Joint US-China Cooperation on Clean Energy

Beijing, CHINA (PRWEB) July 18, 2007 -- China and U.S. energy sector leaders are gathering here today for the launch of JUCCCE (Joint U.S.-China Cooperation on Clean Energy), a non-profit incubator of market-driven initiatives to accelerate energy productivity and increase clean energy supply.

China faces severe challenges in achieving its energy savings and emissions targets, an issue has gained the attention of the highest Chinese government officials. Premier Wen Jiabao told the State Council Executive Meeting on July 11, "All levels of government must realize fully the grimness and urgency of achieving the energy saving and emission reduction targets." The premier stressed the need to "mobilize all forces, strengthen the work and achieve actual progress."

JUCCCE - Joint U.S. and China Co-operation on Clean Energy, a new non-governmental organization was conceived as a response to this situation. JUCCCE's focus is on coordinating relationships among different public and private entities and attaining significant results quickly.

"The Chinese Government has identified key focus areas for energy savings and emissions reductions," JUCCE Chairperson Peggy Liu said. "JUCCCE is about creating a clear and actionable path to those goals. The JUCCCE Framework will develop an integrated roadmap to drive and manage near-term, action-oriented programs that will have the greatest impact in the shortest amount of time. There is much work to be done in China to accelerate 30 years of clean energy development into 10 years Everyone in the industry has a role to play."

The two-day series of clean energy discussions during the JUCCCE kick-off session brought together for the first time its network of cross-border leaders from government, industry, the investment community, research institutes, media, green building and other groups.

Speakers at today's session included Jiang Zhaozu, vice chairman of the Investment Association of China, Steve Papermaster, co-chair of the Energy Committee, U.S. President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (US PCAST) for the Bush administration, Rob Watson, father of the LEED green building standard and Gary Nieman, vice president and managing director of Owens Corning Building Solutions Asia Pacific.

Papermaster is joining JUCCCE as its Steering Committee U.S. chairperson. He stressed the importance of maintaining a dialogue on energy between the U.S. and China. "JUCCCE has the potential to dramatically accelerate the clean energy and environmental agenda of China - and the U.S. - and therefore the world," he said. "There are many worthy initiatives, but few could hope to impact on such a large scale so quickly.'

Added Gary Rieschel, executive managing director for Qiming Venture Partners, "JUCCCE has come together more rapidly than any interdisciplinary and inter-government organization I have ever seen. This reflects the urgency and commitment of both the U.S. and China in this effort." Rieschel joins JUCCCE as its U.S. champion on investments.

Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group will be the first member of the JUCCCE honorary committee. Branson stressed the importance of getting consumers, organizations and governments to collaborate in solving energy problems.

"JUCCCE will provide the vehicle to make this happen," Branson said. "China has the opportunity to be at the forefront in finding solutions to the energy problem that the world faces. I hope I can help to raise awareness of the work that JUCCCE does, and make everybody realize that they need to play a role."

The mix of public and private participation in JUCCCE holds real potential to bring about change, said Rob Watson, a New York-based consultant and father of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system. "The public-private collaboration model represented by JUCCCE has been shown internationally as the most effective means to promote market transformation and a circular economy," said Watson, who will become JUCCCE's U.S. champion on green buildings.

Gary Nieman, vice president and managing director for Owens-Corning Building Materials Asia Pacific, said a key objective for JUCCCE is to improve energy productivity in residential and commercial buildings. "Collectively, they represent a large part of total energy demand in both China and the U.S.," he said. "It is a critical point, given that these buildings are with us for decades and the compounding effect of lost energy-productivity opportunities are with us forever." Several executives of Owens-Corning have agreed to serve as strategic advisors to JUCCCE.

About the Joint U.S.-China Cooperation on Clean Energy (JUCCCE)

JUCCCE, or Joint U.S.-China Cooperation on Clean Energy, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to drive initiatives that will accelerate us towards energy savings and a stable clean energy supply within 10 years, while building trust and cooperation between China and the U.S.

JUCCCE programs focus on delivering near-term results in areas of greatest impact on clean energy, including green buildings, an efficient industrial sector, smart transportation, cleaner coal and renewable energy. Many of the initial projects will focus on creating clean energy awareness in China, adapting standards, localizing best practices and making available clean energy product solutions and services. For more information, please visit the web site: JUCCCE, Joint U.S. and China Co-operation on Clean Energy (www.juccce.com).

About U.S. President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (U.S. PCAST)

On September 30, 2001, President George W. Bush formed the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to enable the president to receive advice from the private sector and academic community on technology, scientific research priorities and math and science education. The organization follows a tradition of presidential advisory panels on science and technology dating back to Presidents Eisenhower and Truman. Since its creation PCAST has been expanded and currently consists of 35 members, plus the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, who serves as the council's co-chair. The council members, distinguished individuals appointed by the president, are drawn from industry, education and research institutions and other nongovernmental organizations. For more information, please visit the website: President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (www.ostp.gov/PCAST/pcast.html).

About Qiming Venture Partners

A US$200 million venture fund dedicated to partnering with great entrepreneurs in China to build great companies. Based in Shanghai, our local Chinese investment professionals, together with our U.S. partner, Ignition Partners , bring together the combination of proven local investment success, senior operational leadership and global access. For more information, please visit the website Qiming Venture Partners (www.qimingventures.com).

About Virgin Group

Virgin, a leading branded venture capital organization, is one of the world's most recognized and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow very successful businesses in sectors ranging from mobile telephony, to transportation, travel, financial services, leisure, music, holidays, publishing and retailing. Virgin has created more than 200 branded companies worldwide, employing approximately 50,000 people in 29 countries. Revenues around the world in 2006 exceeded £10 billion (approx. US$20 billion).

About The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System?

LEED is the internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED provides a roadmap for measuring and documenting success for every building type and phase of a building lifecycle. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. For more information on green buildings, please visit the website: LEED for high-performance green buildings (www.usgbc.org/LEED/)

About Owens Corning

Owens Corning invented glass fiber and glass fiber insulation more than 50 years ago. The Owens Corning brand and its full line of PINK insulation products has long been synonymous with trusted performance and brand preference. Today, the company has become a leading home building products company. For more information, please visit the website: Owens Corning (www.owenscorning.com)

The JUCCCE kick-off event and private working sessions are made possible by the following sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor: IHS

Gold Sponsor: Morrison & Foerster, Owens Corning

Silver Sponsor: Virgin Group, Mustang Ventures, Sgth Designs, ID Creations, DHR

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