8 December 2008: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and three solar companies have issued a joint statement calling for widespread and rapid implementation of policies supporting solar energy as a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction.

The 8 December 2008 statement was issued at the UN Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Chair and CEO, Jeremy Leggett, Executive Chair of Solarcentury, Mike Ahearn, Chair and CEO of First Solar, and Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, underlined that “solar technology is no longer a niche energy solution,” and noted that, considering its scale and cost point, it has the potential to change electricity generation. They also underscored that, due to recent investment, solar technologies have improved and costs will be reduced. They called for concrete targets on solar energy to ensure that its implementation contributes to the battle against climate change. [UNEP Press Release]