National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

Innovation for Our Energy Future 

Strengthening U.S. Leadership 

of International Clean 

Energy Cooperation 

Proceedings of 

Stakeholder Consultations 

December 2008 

Report Number: NREL/TP-6A0-44261 

NREL is a national laboratory of the U. S. Department of Energy, 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 

operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. 
 

Technical Report Strengthening U.S. Leadership NREL/TP-6A0-44261 of International Clean Energy December 2008 

Cooperation 

Proceedings of Stakeholder Consultations 

Prepared under Task No. 6A00.6003 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 

303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov 

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC 

Contract No. DE-AC36-08-GO28308 
 

 

 

 

NOTICE 

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Table of Contents 

List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ii 

List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ii 

Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................ iii 

List of Acronyms.............................................................................................................. iv 

Executive Summary.......................................................................................................... 1 

Introduction....................................................................................................................... 3 

Situation and Opportunity Assessment .......................................................................... 6 

Strategies and Actions Recommended by Stakeholders.............................................. 13 

Conclusions ...................................................................................................................... 18 

References ........................................................................................................................ 19 

Appendix A. Detailed Description of Strategies and Actions ..................................... 22 

Foundational Strategy: Focused and Robust U.S. Leadership .............................. 22 

Implementation Strategy 1: Revitalize U.S. Government Clean Energy
 

Investment-Facilitation Programs......................................................................... 26 

Implementation Strategy 2: Technology RD3

 and Infrastructure Partnerships .... 31 

Implementation Strategy 3: Transform International Clean Energy Markets ...... 36 

Appendix B. Summary of Stakeholder Comments ...................................................... 42 

Appendix C. Description of Clean Energy Scenarios and Benefits Assessment ....... 44 

Appendix D. Examples of U.S. Government International Clean Energy 

Programs .............................................................................................................. 55 

Appendix E. Summary of Recommendations for International Clean Energy 

Initiatives from Other Studies and Forums...................................................... 56 

i 
 

 

 

List of Figures 

Figure ES-1. Strategies for enhanced U.S. international clean energy cooperation. .......... 2 

Figure 1. Global renewable energy and energy efficiency investment in 2020 and new 

U.S. exports from international collaboration .............................................................. 9 

Figure 2. Impacts of international cooperation on oil consumption and prices................ 10 

Figure 3. Relative contributions of clean energy to 50% global greenhouse
 

gas reductions.............................................................................................................. 11
 

Figure 4. Strategies for enhanced U.S. international clean energy cooperation. .............. 13 

Figure C-1. Renewables as a percent of total capacity worldwide ................................... 44 

Figure C-2. Opportunities for improving energy efficiency............................................. 46 

Figure C-3. World CO2 emissions from the consumption of fossil fuel........................... 47 

Figure C-4. Historical global oil consumption ................................................................. 48 

Figure C-5. People without electricity (millions, 2004) ................................................... 51 

List of Tables 

Table 1. Participating Organizations ................................................................................... 4 

Table 2. Value of U.S. International Clean Energy Cooperation ....................................... 6 

Table 3. Actions Proposed by Stakeholders for High-Impact, U.S.-Led International 

Clean Energy Cooperation .......................................................................................... 15 

Table 4. Examples of Partner Countries and International Institutions – 

Illustrative Only .......................................................................................................... 17
 

Table C-1. Renewable Energy Scenarios.......................................................................... 45 

Table C-2. Renewable Energy Projections ....................................................................... 45 

Table C-3. Energy Efficiency Scenarios ........................................................................... 46 

Table C-4. Energy Efficiency Projections ........................................................................ 46 

Table C-5. GHG Emission Reduction Scenarios.............................................................. 47 

Table C-6. GHG Emission Reduction Projections ........................................................... 48 

Table C-7. Oil Use Reduction Scenarios .......................................................................... 49 

Table C-8. Oil Demand Reduction Projections ................................................................ 49 

Table C-9. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Investment Scenarios .................. 50 

Table C-10. RE and EE Global Investment Projections................................................... 50 

Table D-1. Examples of U.S. Government International Clean Energy Programs .......... 55 

ii 
 

 

 

Acknowledgments 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) International Advisory Council 

(IAC) greatly appreciates the input and strong cooperation received from the World 

Resources Institute (WRI) and the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) in the 

preparation of this report. The council is grateful to Hank Habicht of the Global 

Environment and Technology Foundation (GETF) and SAIL Venture Partners for his 

adept and spirited leadership of this effort; and to Ron Benioff, David Kline, Dan Bilello, 

Bill Wallace, Michelle Kubik, and Rachel Gelman (all of NREL), and Britt Staley of 

WRI for preparing this report and supporting analyses. This report would not have been 

possible without the active engagement and insightful comments and recommendations 

offered by the many private-sector, nongovernmental, and academic organizations and 

representatives who participated in this activity. 

iii 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of Acronyms
 

ACORE American Council on Renewable Energy 

APP Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate 

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials 

AWEA American Wind Energy Association 

BCSE Business Council for Sustainable Energy 

CSD Commission on Sustainable Development 

CET Clean energy technology 

CETE Clean energy technology exports 

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality 

CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research 

COEECT Committee on Energy Efficiency, Commerce, and Trade 

CORECT Committee on Renewable Energy, Commerce, and Trace 

CSIS Center for Strategic International Studies 

CSD Commission on Sustainable Development 

CSP Concentrated solar power 

DOE Department of Energy 

EE Energy efficiency 

EERE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

EXIM U.S. Export Import Bank 

GBEP Global Bioenergy Partnership 

GEF Global Environment Facility 

GETF Global Environment and Technology Foundation 

GHG Greenhouse gas 

GVEP Global Village Energy Partnership 

IAC International Advisory Council (NREL) 

IEA International Energy Agency 

IEC International Electrotechnical Commission 

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 

IFC International Finance Corporation 

IIASA International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis 

IP Intellectual property 

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

IPEEC International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation 

IPHE International Partnership for Hydrogen Economy 

IRENA International Renewable Energy Agency 

LBNL Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 

MEM Major economy meetings 

MRI Midwest Research Institute 

NGO Nongovernmental organization 

NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

NVCA National Venture Capital Association 

OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development 

OPIC U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation 

iv 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R&D Research and development 

RD3 Research, development, demonstration, and deployment 

RE Renewable energy 

REN21 Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century 

RFF Resources for the Future 

RPS Renewable portfolio standards 

SARI/E South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy 

SEIA Solar Energy Industries Association 

TDA U.S. Trade and Development Agency 

UN United Nations 

UNDP United Nations Development Program 

UNEP United Nations Environment Program 

UNF United Nations Foundation 

UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 

UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization 

USAID U.S. Agency for International Development 

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture 

WIREC Washington International Renewable Energy Conference 

WRI World Resources Institute 

WTO World Trade Organization 

v 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Summary 

Pressing economic, energy security, and environmental concerns are driving rapid growth 

in global investments in renewable energy (RE), energy efficiency (EE), and other clean 

energy technologies. The U.S. government has an unparalleled opportunity to join forces 

with the private sector, international institutions, and other countries to accelerate this 

global clean energy market transformation and capture vital domestic benefits. The global 

financial crisis creates an even more urgent need for government programs to stimulate 

private investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency, which will foster U.S. and 

international job creation and economic vitality. 

This report began with discussions 

among members of the International 

Advisory Council (IAC) for the 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

(NREL) regarding how NREL can 

better support U.S. global energy 

efforts. Members of NREL’s 

International Advisory Council, the 

World Resources Institute (WRI), and 

the Center for Strategic International 

Studies (CSIS) launched a series of 

consultations with representatives from 

the clean energy business and financial 

community and nongovernment 

organizations to seek broad input on 

this topic. As part of developing 

recommendations for NREL roles, these 

stakeholder consultations also identified 

overarching strategies that the U.S. 

government could pursue to advance 

global clean energy cooperation. This 

report presents the results of these 

consultations. 

U.S. international clean energy 

leadership can produce enormous 

benefits domestically and 

internationally (see “Benefits of U.S.­

Led Global Clean Energy 

Cooperation”). The United States is 

Benefits of U.S.-Led Global Clean Energy 

Cooperation 

U.S. Benefits in 2020 

•	 Up to $40 billion/year increased clean 

energy exports, generating 0.25-0.75 

million new jobs 

•	 $10-50 billion/year reductions in oil use 

costs 

•	 A stronger dollar and improved trade 

balance, resulting in up to $25 

billion/year in benefits 

•	 Enhanced U.S. diplomatic standing 

through assuming leadership on clean 

energy and issues 

Global Benefits 

•	 Reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) 

emissions (50-80% by 2050 relative to 

2005 levels) avoiding dangerous 

climate change impacts 

•	 Reduced global oil use (40% by 2050 

relative to 2005 levels) 

•	 Up to $1 trillion a year in new
 

investment opportunities
 

•	 Robust global economic development, 

with universal access to modern energy 

•	 Reduced regional tensions and military 

conflicts from improved environmental 

and energy conditions. 

NREL benefits estimates derived from IEA, IPCC, 

McKinsey, and other sources (see Appendix C). 

poised, with its wealth of human, institutional, political, and financial capital to take the 

world lead in a global transformation. During a global economic slowdown, it is 

especially important for the United States to help build new markets for clean energy 

technologies around the world that become a catalyst for economic development. 

1
 
 

 

 

Stakeholders have identified a portfolio of actions that the United States can pursue to 

lead this global clean energy transformation. These actions fall into four broad strategies: 

1.	 Lead with a Government-Wide Commitment to Action. The President and 

Congress commit to specific international clean energy cooperation goals and 

priorities as well as a cohesive government-wide, stakeholder-inclusive 

implementation plan. They also expand U.S. leadership in key international 

forums, including the international climate change negotiations. 

2.	 Revitalize the Portfolio of U.S. Clean Energy Investment-Facilitation 

Programs. Strengthen and consolidate U.S. government international clean 

energy investment programs to dramatically increase investments by U.S. firms in 

energy efficiency and renewable energy worldwide. 

3.	 Accelerate Global Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology 

Cooperation. Scale-up global development and use of renewable energy and 

energy efficiency technologies through strategic research, development, 

demonstration, and deployment (RD3

) partnerships. 

4.	 Transform Clean Energy Markets with Key Countries. Partner with major 

developing countries and regions through initiatives to help create policy and 

market conditions that will foster sustained clean energy investment. 

U.S. Benefits	 Global Benefits 

Clean energy exports Reduced greenhouse gas emissions 

Reduced oil use costs Economic development 

Stronger dollar Increase in investment opportunities 

Improved trade balance Access to energy 

Enhanced U.S. global diplomatic stature Reduced regional tensions 

Government-Wide International Leadership 

● Cohesive U.S. government clean energy goals, action plan, and 

consolidated programs 

● Strengthened U.S. international leadership and partnerships 

Accelerated Global 

Clean Energy 

Technology 

Collaboration 

•Global R&D cooperation 

•Technology 

demonstration and scaleup partnerships 

•Sustainable community, 

integrated deployment, 

and infrastructure 

partnerships 

Revitalized U.S. Clean 

Energy InvestmentFacilitation Programs 

•Enhanced and 

streamlined investment 

services 

•Global clean energy 

fund 

•Public-private planning 

and coordinated 

implementation 

Robust Market 

Transformation 

Partnerships with Major 

Developing Countries 

•Policy and program reform 

assistance 

•Clean energy and climate 

mitigation assessments and 

outreach 

•Technology standards and 

education 

•Workforce development 

Figure ES-1. Strategies for enhanced U.S. international clean energy cooperation 

2 
 

 

 

Introduction 

Global investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency are growing exponentially 

in response to increasing fossil fuel prices, reductions in costs of these clean energy 

technologies, and pressing energy security and environmental concerns. The United 

States has an unparalleled opportunity to advance this global energy market 

transformation. U.S. leadership of robust international clean energy cooperation programs 

can grow clean energy markets and reap vital domestic economic and energy security 

rewards while advancing U.S. foreign policy interests and reducing global greenhouse 

gas (GHG) emissions. The private sector, international institutions, and other countries 

have dramatically increased their engagement in international clean energy cooperation, 

and the time is ripe for the U.S. government to become a full partner in this 

transformation. The current financial crisis has elevated the need for government 

programs and incentives to maintain and grow global, private-sector clean energy 

investment, which can drive job creation and economic vitality for the United States and 

other countries. 

Report Purpose and Audience 

This report is designed with two goals in mind: 

o	 Identify opportunities for the U.S. government to accelerate the global clean 

energy transformation and more fully capture economic, energy security, 

environmental, and international development benefits for the United States. 

o	 Provide credible and objective information to inform the design of U.S. 

international clean energy programs during the next three to five years. 

The report emphasizes how the capabilities of federal institutions, including NREL, can 

be more effectively aligned to support international energy objectives set by the 

President and Congress. 

This report is written primarily for high-level U.S. government officials, including 

advisers to the President, congressional staff, and key officials at U.S. government 

agencies. The recommendations also may be of value to U.S. companies, financial 

institutions, research organizations, and NGOs active in international clean energy 

markets and policy issues. Because the report focuses on recommendations for the U.S. 

government, it is not designed for distribution to other countries and international 

partners. 

Stakeholder Consultations 

This report began with discussions among members of the International Advisory 

Council (IAC) for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) regarding how 

NREL can better support U.S. global energy efforts. Members of NREL’s International 

Advisory Council, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the Center for Strategic 

International Studies (CSIS) launched a series of consultations with representatives from 

the clean energy business and financial community and nongovernment organizations to 

seek broad input on this topic (Table 1). This report presents the results of these 

consultations, while drawing on concepts and policy proposals presented in other studies. 

3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The investment community stressed the importance of coordinated investment 

facilitation, especially in light of current global credit and economic conditions. 

The strategies and actions presented here reflect recommendations provided by the 

participating stakeholders, who have endorsed the four high-level strategies presented in 

the report, but not necessarily all of the specific actions underneath each strategy or the 

opportunity and benefits analysis conducted by NREL. 

Table 1. Participating Organizations 

American Brookings Green Strategies Presidential

 Council on Institute Green Order Climate 

 Renewable Citibank ICF International Action 

 Energy Conover & Associates Jefferies & Company Project 

(ACORE) Credit Suisse Lawrence Berkeley Resources for 

Advanced Center for Strategic National the Future 

 Capital International Studies Laboratory (RFF) 

 Markets (CSIS) (LBNL) SAIL Venture

Alliance to Save Deutsch Bank Morgan Stanley Partners 

 Energy Dow Chemical Midwest Research Solar Energy

American Wind Company Institute (MRI) Industries

 Energy East Link Consulting National Commission Association 

 Association Energy Foundation on Energy Policy (SEIA) 

 (AWEA) Energy Future Coalition Novozymes UC Berkeley 

Battelle Energy & Security Co. National UN Foundation 

Business EPS Capital Corp. Renewable Energy World

 Council for General Electric Laboratory (NREL) Resources

 Sustainable Global Environment National Venture Institute

 Energy and Technology Capital Association (WRI) 

 (BCSE) Foundation (GETF) (NVCA) 

Goldman Sachs 

NREL’s Role 

The International Advisory Council for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

launched this effort in partnership with the World Resources Institute and the Center for 

Strategic International Studies. The group recognized the opportunity to more effectively 

tap the world’s leading technology and analytic expertise at NREL and other national 

laboratories to advance global clean energy market transformation. NREL has worldclass expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency science; applied technology 

research and development (R&D); market, technology, and policy analysis; and 

commercialization and deployment programs. Through partnerships with the business 

and NGO community and other labs, NREL can play a leading role for the U.S. 

government in advancing international collaboration and networking, and can be an 

invaluable resource given its global credibility and expertise (see “Examples of NREL 

International Activities”). 

4
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy (EERE) 

guides and supports most of 

NREL’s international activities. 

The United States Agency for 

International Development 

(USAID), the Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA), the 

State Department, and other U.S. 

federal agencies also support 

NREL international programs, 

along with United Nations 

agencies and other partners that 

provide limited funding. Expanded 

international engagement by 

NREL in cooperation with other 

partners can speed the rate of 

technology innovation and 

commercialization; enhance the 

competiveness of U.S. industry; 

and help achieve global 

environmental, energy security, 

economic, and foreign policy 

goals. 

The recommended strategies and 

actions in this report include 

initiatives that NREL could pursue 

in partnership with others and 

policy measures that go beyond 

NREL’s role, which the U.S. 

government could undertake. All 

of the recommendations are based 

on comments and ideas provided by the organizations engaged in this process and based 

on review of reports and studies conducted by others on this topic. The NREL 

International Advisory Council, WRI, and CSIS have distilled these recommendations 

into the actions presented here. 

Examples of NREL International Activities 

These activities are conducted in support of DOE, 

other federal agencies, and international 

institutions. 

o	 China – NREL is teaming with Chinese 

counterparts on analysis and decision tools; 

policies and standards; and R&D on advanced 

biofuels, wind, solar, and building technologies 

and eco-cities 

o	 India – NREL is conducting joint resource and 

economic assessments; dissemination of 

decision tools; policy design; and R&D on 

solar, biofuels, and building technologies with 

Indian partners 

o	 Spain – NREL and CENER, a counterpart 

Spanish lab, are collaborating on wind turbine 

testing and modeling 

o	 International Energy Agency (IEA) – NREL 

is sharing R&D roadmaps and methods; 

working on technology standards and test 

methods; and conducting joint analyses with 

institutes from other countries in support of IEA 

implementing agreements on buildings, 

biomass, hydrogen, solar, and wind 

technologies 

o	 Climate Change – NREL is evaluating options 

to enhance technology R&D, demonstration, 

and deployment cooperation among countries 

for the United Nations Framework Convention 

on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Expert Group 

on Technology Transfer. 

5
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Situation and Opportunity Assessment 

This section outlines the scale of the global clean energy market-transformation 

opportunity and how the United States can more actively participate in global opportunity 

through robust international leadership. In addition, the report provides a brief review of 

current U.S. government international programs in the clean energy sector and of 

opportunities for enhanced leadership identified by stakeholders. 

Rationale for Enhanced U.S. International Clean Energy Leadership 

Climate change, the growing demand for fossil fuel resources, energy security, and 

sustainable development issues are recognized worldwide as critical challenges that 

require immediate attention. These concerns have helped create a growing consensus that 

global energy systems need to undergo a fundamental transformation toward clean 

energy technologies in the coming decades. At the same time, U.S. leadership in global 

clean energy markets has declined and economic opportunities are being lost to other 

countries. Through revitalized international clean energy programs, the United States can 

reap substantial economic, energy security, environmental, and global sustainable 

development benefits. These benefits include: 

o	 Providing direct economic benefits to the United States—jobs, price reductions, 

economic stability, and enhanced trade balance 

o	 Speeding the rate of development and market introduction of advanced clean 

energy technologies 

o	 Enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. industry 

o Tackling climate change and energy security through international cooperation 

These benefits are summarized in Table 2 and presented in quantitative terms in the 

opportunity and benefits assessment section that follows. 

Table 2. Value of U.S. International Clean Energy Cooperation 

Provide Direct Speed Rate of Enhance U.S. 

Economic Benefits Innovation and Industry 

to U.S. Commercialization Competitiveness 

o Create new clean o Increase o Industry access 

energy jobs researchers and to international 

through resources markets with 

increased tackling RD&D U.S. help in 

exports and o Improve access removing policy 

manufacturing in to innovations or other barriers 

U.S. and unique o International 

o Reduce energy research subsidies and 

costs for U.S. capabilities in policies help 

consumers other countries commercialize 

o Decrease o Accelerate U.S. 

volatility of technology technologies 

energy markets learning and o Industry access 

o Improve U.S. cost reductions to IP, global 

trade balance innovations 

Address Global 

Challenges 

o Climate change 

mitigation 

requires rapid RE 

and EE scale-up 

by all major 

countries 

o Reduces global 

oil demand, 

prices, and 

volatility 

o Clean energy 

provides jobs and 

power for 

sustainable 

development 

worldwide 

6
 
 

 

 

 

Existing U.S. International Clean Energy Programs 

The U.S. government has a broad portfolio of international clean energy programs that 

can be grouped into three categories: 

•	 Technology cooperation and market development, including bilateral and 

multilateral renewable energy and energy efficiency programs led by DOE, 

USAID, EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and others. 

•	 Interagency climate change initiatives, such as the Asia-Pacific Partnership, 

the Major Economies Meetings, and other efforts in support of the climate 

change negotiations coordinated by the State Department. 

•	 Trade and investment programs, including efforts by Commerce, Treasury, 

Export Import Bank (EXIM), Trade and Development Agency (TDA), 

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), DOE, and others to provide 

financing and business matchmaking support for U.S. clean energy exports. 

This includes the recent proposal for a $2 billion clean energy fund to be 

managed by the Treasury Department (totaling $6.1 billion with matching 

pledges from other countries). 

Current U.S. government programs are characterized by common themes of shared 

commitments under voluntary frameworks, enabling private investment, and fostering 

innovation and technology transfer (see Appendix D for more information). 

Current Limitations and Future Opportunities Identified by Stakeholders 

More than 40 stakeholders from the domestic and international clean energy industry and 

finance community, research organizations, and NGOs have participated in this effort and 

have provided a wealth of feedback on current limitations and future opportunities for 

U.S. international clean energy programs. This stakeholder feedback is summarized 

below and presented in more detail in Appendix B. 

•	 Resources – U.S. government investments in international clean energy 

cooperation are at much lower levels and not coordinated across agencies in the 

manner needed to accelerate market transformation worldwide. For example, 

recent annual international appropriations (minus earmarks) for DOE’s Office of 

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy have ranged from $0-5 million/yr. with 

no international appropriations provided in FY08; this is compared with more 

than $150 billion in global private investment in clean energy in 2007. The U.S. 

government reports (OECD 2007) spending more than $1 billion a year in 

energy-related foreign assistance (largely dominated by the Department of 

Defense and Agency for International Development programs), with these 

resources spread across a large number of countries and not guided by a 

government-wide clean energy strategy. 

•	 Coordinated Goals and Plans – The United States does not have well-defined, 

government-wide international clean energy goals and priorities or a cohesive 

implementation plan across agencies, with the private sector, and with 

international partners. Stakeholders emphasized the need to consolidate and 

better coordinate U.S. international clean energy programs across agencies to 

ensure that they all support a few well-defined goals and are implemented in an 

integrated manner; and so that business and other partners can have one primary 

focal point for collaboration. 

7
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

•	 Leadership – U.S. leadership in key forums, such as the international climate 

change negotiations, must be more effective. 

•	 Technology Cooperation – The U.S. government could significantly strengthen 

its technology research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RD3) 

cooperation with other countries and international institutions to leverage 

resources and accelerate progress toward common research and deployment goals 

•	 Investment Facilitation – U.S. clean energy investment-facilitation programs 

are not fully addressing the private-sector need for risk mitigation and are not 

well-coordinated or streamlined (with exceptions such as EXIM programs) 

•	 Developing Country Market Reform – The U.S. government is well-positioned 

to play a bigger role in teaming with major developing countries on assessments, 

policy-design support, technology standards, and workforce development needed 

for clean energy market transformation and private investment. 

•	 Domestic Action – The United States must pursue domestic policies and 

measures in tandem with these international efforts to maintain a thriving clean 

energy industry and technology leadership that provides the foundation for 

international cooperation. 

The stakeholders have identified four 

overarching strategies for enhanced 

U.S. international clean energy 

cooperation – 1) establish 

government-wide goals, an action 

plan, and strengthened international 

leadership; 2) revitalize U.S. 

investment-facilitation programs; 3) 

accelerate clean energy technology 

cooperation; and 4) pursue marketreform partnerships with key 

developing countries. These 

strategies and actions in support of 

each are presented in more detail in 

this report. 

Scale of Opportunity and 

Benefits 

The United States has an 

unprecedented opportunity to partner 

with other countries in rapidly 

accelerating global clean energy use 

and capturing large national and 

global benefits. According to 

analyses conducted by the 

International Energy Agency (IEA), 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 

Change (IPCC), the McKinsey 

Benefits of U.S.-Led Global Clean Energy 

Cooperation 

U.S. Benefits in 2020 

•	 Up to $40 billion/year increased clean 

energy exports, generating 0.25-0.75 

million new jobs 

•	 $10-50 billion/year reductions in oil use 

costs 

•	 A stronger dollar and improved trade 

balance, resulting in up to $25 billion/year in 

benefits 

•	 Enhanced U.S. diplomatic standing through 

assuming leadership on clean energy and 

issues 

Global Benefits 

•	 Reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 

(50-80% by 2050 relative to 2005 levels) 

avoiding dangerous climate change impacts 

•	 Reduced global oil use (40% by 2050 

relative to 2005 levels) 

•	 Up to $1 trillion a year in new investment 

opportunities 

•	 Robust global economic development, with 

universal access to modern energy 

•	 Reduced regional tensions and military 

conflicts from improved environmental and 

energy conditions. 

NREL benefits estimates derived from IEA, IPCC, 

McKinsey, and other sources (see Appendix C). 

8
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Institute, and others, robust international clean energy cooperation led by the 

United States can help reduce global GHG emissions by 50-80%1 and reduce global oil 

use by up to 40% by 2050, while creating up to $1 trillion per year of new renewable 

energy and energy efficiency investment opportunities worldwide. A global clean energy 

market transformation of this magnitude will yield significant benefits to the U.S. and 

global economies. 

Economic and Market Benefits 

U.S. leadership in clean energy markets will result in three types of direct economic 

benefits. First, U.S. clean energy businesses could increase their exports by up to $40 

billion per year in 2020 and by $40-200 billion in 2050. Decreased oil global 

consumption will reduce oil prices relative to the baseline, saving U.S. consumers $10-50 

billion in 2020 and $75-$200 billion in 2050. By improving the U.S. balance of trade and 

strengthening the dollar, the increased exports and decreased costs of oil imports will 

create up to $25 billion per year of additional savings in 2020 and up to $60 billion per 

year in 2050. 

Increased Clean Energy Exports 

U.S. leadership in promoting clean energy internationally would enable U.S. 

manufacturers to dramatically increase their exports, with gains of up to $40 billion in 

2020 and $40-$200 billion per year in 2050. A robust U.S. clean energy industry will 

create significant new employment in the United States, between 250,000 and 750,000 

jobs in 2020 and between 3 million and 8 million in 2050. Figure 1 illustrates the total 

growth in global renewable energy and energy efficiency markets and the corresponding 

increases in U.S. exports2

 resulting from a global clean energy market transformation. 

Source: Global investment based on IEA Blue Map Scenario (2008a). Increased U.S. exports projected 

forward from current values. 

Figure 1. Global renewable energy and energy efficiency investment and new U.S. exports 

from international collaboration 

1

 Climate change scientists have determined that 50-80% reductions in global GHG emissions by 2050 are 

required to stabilize GHG concentrations at level that will prevent dangerous impacts. 

2

 For simplicity, some of the figures in this section show point values for the impacts of the international 

clean energy effort. Appendix C presents the full range of the estimates and provides more information on 

the scenarios and analysis methodology. 

9
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil Market Benefits 

U.S.-led international clean energy cooperation is estimated to reduce oil prices 5-10% 

from baseline levels in 2020, and 10-30% in 2050. Those lower oil prices will benefit the 

U.S. economy by $10-$50 billion in 2020 and $80-$200 billion in 2050. Biofuels and 

transportation efficiency technologies will reduce oil consumption by up to 40% in 2050 

relative to the base case, creating a strong trend toward lower prices.3 

Figure 2 shows the paths of world oil quantities and prices resulting from increased 

global use of transportation efficiency and biofuels technologies through international 

cooperation. 

 Source: EIA International Energy Outlook and Annual Energy Outlook extrapolated to 2050. 

Figure 2. Impacts of international cooperation on oil consumption and prices 

Balance of Payments Benefits 

Both increased clean energy exports and reduced expenditures on oil imports will 

improve the U.S. balance of trade and strengthen the dollar, providing additional 

economic benefits. By improving these factors, the increased exports and decreased oil 

import costs will create up to $25 billion per year of additional benefits in 2020 and up to 

$60 billion in 2050. 

3

 Because so many factors affect world oil prices, it is difficult to attribute changes in oil prices to small, 

temporary shifts in demand. However, the initiative will permanently shift global consumption patterns 

downward by a significant percentage. Such a sustained shift may have a strong impact on prices, 

depending on the actions taken by oil-producing nations and other parties. 

10
 
 

 

 

 

Environmental Benefits 

Greenhouse Gas Impacts 

The primary environmental benefit of the U.S.-led global clean energy market 

transformation will be reduced greenhouse gas emissions of 50-80% by 2050, which 

scientists think will prevent catastrophic climate change impacts—a large benefit to the 

U.S. and the global community. Clean energy technologies will provide more than half of 

the reductions needed to achieve that goal (Figure 3).4

 Source: IEA (2008a) 

Figure 3. Relative contributions of clean energy to 50% global greenhouse gas reductions 

Other Environmental Benefits 

Significant local air quality and other environmental benefits will accompany the 

reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Reduced air emissions translate to improved 

health, lower health care costs, improved visibility, and reduced impacts on natural 

ecosystems. Increased use of clean energy also will reduce impacts from fossil fuel 

extraction and processing. Increased access to clean energy in the poorest regions of the 

world will reduce the use of firewood, enabling cleaner indoor air quality and 

contributing to local sustainable development. 

Energy Security Benefits 

In addition to the decreased oil prices mentioned above, international clean energy 

market transformation will reduce global vulnerability to supply and price shocks, and 

4

 In addition to clean energy technology, the IEA Blue Map Reduction Scenario (used for Figure 1) is based 

on the use of carbon capture and storage, nuclear power, and fuel switching. 

11
 
 

 

 

could also decrease tensions over petroleum resources in key supply regions and U.S. 

costs of military intervention to help address conflicts that arise. Reductions in U.S. 

demand for oil, which will be enabled by accelerated cost reductions for biofuels and 

transportation efficiency technologies through international cooperation, also will 

decrease U.S. vulnerability. 

Impacts on Development 

The clean energy market transformation will accelerate global economic growth and 

stability by enhancing access to clean energy in rural and urban areas worldwide. More 

than 1 billion people around the world do not have modern energy services. Providing 

access to clean energy will provide the power necessary for micro-enterprises, health 

clinics, schools, water supply, enhanced agricultural production, and similar services. 

U.S. leadership in this area will enhance diplomatic influence and help achieve U.S. and 

global sustainable development objectives, including universal access to modern energy 

services around the world by 2020, which is consistent with the Millennium 

Development Goals. 

12
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Strategies and Actions Recommended by Stakeholders 

This section of the report presents high-impact strategies and actions proposed by 

stakeholders to accelerate U.S. international clean energy cooperation. It also briefly 

highlights the needs for U.S. domestic action and other similar boundary conditions to 

provide a strong foundation for effective international engagement. The Executive 

Branch can do a lot on its own, but coordinated authorizing legislation and appropriations 

would create the most effective path forward. 

Strategies for Enhanced U.S. International Clean Energy Cooperation 

Industry and NGO stakeholders have identified one foundational strategy and three 

implementing strategies (along with supporting actions for each strategy) that the United 

States can pursue, which would accelerate global clean energy-market transformation in 

partnership with others. These strategies and actions are summarized below. 

Government-Wide International Leadership 

•	 Cohesive U.S. government clean energy goals, action plan, and 

consolidated programs 

•	 Strengthened U.S. international leadership and partnerships 

Robust Market 

Transformation 

Partnerships with 

Major Developing 

Countries 

• Policy and program 

reform assistance 

•	 Clean energy and 

climate mitigation 

assessments and 

outreach 

• Technology 

standards and 

education 

• Workforce 

development 

Accelerated Global 

Clean Energy 

Technology 

Collaboration 

• Global R&D 

cooperation 

• Technology 

demonstration and 

scale-up 

partnerships 

• Sustainable 

community, 

integrated 

deployment, and 

infrastructure 

partnerships 

Revitalized U.S. 

Clean Energy 

InvestmentFacilitation 

Programs 

• Enhanced and 

streamlined 

investment 

services 

• Global clean 

energy fund 

• Public-private 

planning and 

coordinated 

implementation 

Figure 4. Strategies for enhanced U.S. international clean energy cooperation 

Foundational Strategy – Government-Wide International Clean Energy Leadership 

Many stakeholders stated that the most important action the U.S. government can pursue 

is to define clear international clean energy goals and priorities, and provide a wellcoordinated, fully resourced, long-term implementation plan across all relevant agencies 

and departments to achieve these objectives. The President and Congress could jointly 

commit to specific international clean energy cooperation goals and priorities, and a 

cohesive government-wide, stakeholder-inclusive action plan. In addition, the United 

13
 
 

 

 

States also will need to strengthen its leadership role in key international forums such as 

the international climate change negotiations, and strengthen partnerships with other 

countries and multilateral institutions. 

Implementation Strategies 

1.	 Revitalize the Portfolio of U.S. Clean Energy Investment-Facilitation 

Programs. Strengthen and consolidate U.S. government international clean 

energy investment programs to dramatically increase investment by U.S. firms in 

energy efficiency and renewable energy worldwide. 

2.	 Accelerate Global Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology 

Cooperation. Scale-up global development and use of renewable energy and 

energy efficiency technologies through strategic research and development, 

demonstration, and deployment (RD3

) partnerships. 

3.	 Partner with Major Developing Countries to Accelerate Clean Energy 

Market Transformation. Partner with Brazil, China, India, and other priority 

countries, and through regional efforts in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Newly 

Independent States to strengthen policy and market conditions that will grow and 

sustain clean energy investment. 

The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 (EISA 2007) calls for a 

similar portfolio of measures to strengthen U.S. government international clean energy 

investment, market development, and technology cooperation programs. Specific actions 

that can be pursued in support of each of these strategies are presented in the remainder 

of this report. 

Boundary Conditions 

The U.S. government will have greatest success with these international clean energy 

strategies if they are coupled with more comprehensive efforts that create the needed 

boundary conditions to allow these markets to flourish. Proposed boundary conditions 

include: 

•	 Domestic policies that foster U.S. clean energy business growth 

•	 An international agreement and effective global cooperation on climate changes 

that results in a strong and clear global price signal on carbon. This could include 

strategic bilateral and multilateral partnerships on climate change as proposed by 

the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR 2008) and others; and 

•	 Robust U.S. clean energy R&D programs. 

Proposed Actions 

Table 3 presents the actions that stakeholders have identified as high-impact measures for 

supporting each of the strategies. Appendix A offers detailed descriptions for each of 

these measures. 

14
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 3. Actions Proposed by Stakeholders for High-Impact, U.S.-Led International Clean 

Energy Cooperation 

Strategy Actions Key Steps and Program Elements 

Foundational 

Develop 

Cohesive U.S. 

Action Plan and 

Leadership 

1. Establish 

government-wide goals, 

action plan, and 

consolidated programs 

(see example goals in 

Appendix A) 

• Articulate high-level shared administration and 

congressional international clean energy goals 

and priorities 

• Engage public-private task force in developing an 

interagency action plan 

• Consolidate and streamline U.S. international 

clean energy programs 

2. Strengthen U.S. 

partnerships and 

leadership in key 

international forums 

• Bolster participation in leading global energy and 

environmental forums, including climate change 

negotiations 

• Coordinate efforts across the government to 

strengthen partnerships with international 

institutions and countries 

Implementation 

Revitalize U.S. 

Clean Energy 

InvestmentFacilitation 

Programs 

1. Enhance and 

streamline high-impact 

investment services for 

U.S. companies 

• Convene a clean energy global finance summit 

with U.S. firms to identify highest-value 

government services and efficiency delivery 

• Strengthen investment risk-mitigation vehicles for 

emerging markets 

• Consolidate and streamline services creating a 

“one-stop shop” for business-investment support 

(see EISA 2007 mandate for an interagency 

working group on clean energy exports) 

• Assist businesses in addressing policy, 

intellectual property (IP), and procurement 

barriers in key emerging markets 

• Convene enterprise growth forums in developing 

countries 

2. Continue effort to 

launch a global clean 

energy fund plus 

complementary 

services 

• Establish global clean energy fund in partnership 

with other donors (while reviewing effective fund 

management structure), building on current $6 

billion in commitments by the U.S. and others 

• Create a complementary portfolio of investment 

products and advisory services to be used in 

tandem with fund grants 

3. Institute joint publicprivate program 

planning and 

implementation 

• Develop mechanisms for joint U.S. government 

and private-sector planning and outreach, 

including possibly reinstituting the Committee for 

Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade 

(CORECT) and Committee on Energy Efficiency 

Commerce and Trade (COEECT) forums 

• Conduct annual program reviews with privatesector input 

• Establish resource center to share information 

and provide points of contact for the private sector 

15
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accelerate 

High-Impact 

Technology 

Cooperation 1. Enhance global R&D 

cooperation 

• Strengthen international clean energy R&D 

bilateral and multilateral partnerships and global 

and regional technical networks 

• Expand global clean energy R&D funds and 

prizes to promote distributed innovation in 

noncompetitive areas 

• Launch robust researcher-exchange and training 

programs 

2. Launch robust 

technology scale-up 

partnerships 

• Support large-scale demonstration of nearcommercial technologies in emerging markets 

with co-funding from host countries and 

international partners 

• Develop common global and regional roadmaps 

and systems to share results of technology pilots 

and demonstrations 

3. Support sustainable 

community, integrated 

deployment, and 

infrastructure 

partnerships 

• Assist developing countries with sustainable 

community and infrastructure planning 

• Provide integrated deployment support to 

countries – including optimizing the use of a 

portfolio of clean energy solutions 

• Expand regional infrastructure and clean energy 

development forums and planning bodies 

Partner with 

Major 

Developing 

Countries to 

Transform 

Clean Energy 

Markets 

1. Strengthen clean 

energy policies and 

programs 

• Assist countries with policy and program reforms 

and adopting best practices at all levels of 

government and considering sectoral approaches 

• Provide incentives for countries to adopt effective 

governance, free trade, and IP protection 

practices 

• Offer technical support – transferring U.S. 

expertise – with facilities and public lands energy 

management programs 

2. Develop robust clean 

energy and carbon 

assessment 

collaboration 

• Launch a global clean energy assessment 

partnership with other countries and international 

institutions (strategic studies, data and tools 

repository, outreach and training) 

• Team with key developing countries on clean 

energy GHG mitigation supply analyses at 

national and regional levels to inform climate 

action plans and strategies 

3. Expand use of 

technology standards 

and promote education 

awareness 

• Promote use of common technology performance 

standards and test methods around the world 

• Conduct education and outreach on standards 

and technology performance and benefits 

4. Support workforce 

development in key 

countries 

• Establish joint workforce development plans with 

developing countries for key markets 

• Team with developing countries and international 

institutions to provide technical assistance with 

workforce development programs (train the 

trainers, model curriculums, community college 

peer exchange, etc.) 

16
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Country and International Institutional Partners 

Stakeholder feedback, especially that from U.S. industry, has clearly indicated that the 

U.S. government will be most effective at implementing the above international clean 

energy initiatives if it is focused on a few well-defined priority countries and fully 

engages other key international players. The United States should pursue both bilateral 

and multilateral partnerships in conducting its priority actions for technology 

cooperation, investment facilitation, and market transformation. This includes regional 

initiatives for engaging multiple countries. Table 4 provides examples of potential 

priority partner countries and international institutions. In most cases, U.S. federal 

agencies, NREL, and other laboratories already have close relationships with these 

countries and organizations, which provide a solid foundation for enhanced collaboration. 

Table 4. Examples of Partner Countries and International Institutions – Illustrative Only 

Market Reform and Investment 

Facilitation 

Technology Partnerships 

Country • Large and growing clean energy • Centers of technology innovation 

Selection markets and GHG emissions with significant R&D budgets 

Factors • Commitments to clean energy 

market growth 

• Strong high-level relationships 

with the U.S. 

• Global and regional leaders 

• Effective IP protection 

• Strong relationships with the U.S. 

• Global and regional leaders 

Candidate • Brazil • Australia 

Countries • China • Brazil 

and Regions • India 

• Mexico 

• S. Africa 

Regional initiatives in: 

• Africa 

• S.E. and southern Asia 

• Latin America 

• Newly Independent States 

• Canada 

• China 

• Denmark 

• European Commission 

• Germany 

• Iceland 

• India 

• Israel 

• Japan 

• Netherlands 

• New Zealand 

• Singapore 

• South Korea 

• Spain 

• Sweden 

• United Arab Emirates (UAE) 

• United Kingdom (U.K.) 

International • World Bank, Global Environment Facility, IFC, and regional development 

Institutions banks 

• UNEP, UNDP, UNF, UNIDO, and UNFCCC processes and groups 

• IEA, IEC, and similar international R&D and standards organizations 

• IPCC, IIASA, OECD, WRI (and other U.S.-based international organizations) 

• IPEEC, GVEP, REN21, GBEP, IPHE, and similar global partnerships 

17
 
 

 

Conclusions 

The United States has an unparalleled opportunity to lead a global clean energy market 

transformation that will yield vital economic, energy security, environmental, and 

development benefits for the United States and the world as a whole. Concerted U.S. 

action, together with other partners, could generate up to $40 billion/yr. in new clean 

energy exports and 750,000 new jobs by 2020, along with $10 to 50 billion/yr. in 

additional savings from reduced oil prices and other critical economic and energy 

security benefits. Such a global clean energy market transformation is a necessary critical 

step in reducing worldwide greenhouse gas emissions by 50-80% by 2050, which is 

necessary to prevent dangerous climate change impacts. It also will foster revitalized 

economic growth and sustainable development in all regions of the world and ensure that 

all citizens worldwide have access to modern energy services. 

Industry and NGO stakeholders have identified a portfolio of high-level strategies and 

actions that will enable the United States to spearhead international clean energy 

cooperation and capture these benefits. This effort includes foundational measures to 

establish a cohesive government-wide action plan and reassert U.S. leadership in key 

international forums and three key implementing strategies: 1) revitalized U.S. clean 

energy investment-facilitation programs; 2) accelerated renewable energy and energy 

efficiency technology cooperation; and 3) partnerships with major developing countries 

and others to transform clean energy markets. The United States will not succeed in 

implementing these actions alone and must actively engage developed and developing 

country partners and international institutions. Furthermore, the United States cannot 

afford to wait—it must seize the opportunity now to spark a worldwide transition to a 

brighter clean energy future. 

18
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

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Appendix A. Detailed Description of Strategies and Actions 

Foundational Strategy: Focused and Robust U.S. 

Leadership 

Strategic goal: The President and Congress commit to specific international clean 

energy cooperation priorities and align all agencies behind a comprehensive 

implementation plan. 

Most stakeholders identified the establishment of common government-wide 

international clean energy goals and priorities, along with a well-coordinated and fully 

resourced implementation plan across all relevant agencies as the most important action 

that the U.S. government can pursue. Several organizations, including key industry 

leaders, further noted that such common priorities, coordinated agency programs, and 

sustained commitments over multiple years are pre-requisites for them to develop a close 

partnership with the U.S. government. This section focuses on the actions that 

government, along with other agencies and key international partners, can take to 

establish shared high-level priorities and identifies the coherent and effective 

implementation programs needed to achieve them. 

Foundational Action 1. Establish Government-Wide International Clean 

Energy Objectives, Action Plan, and Consolidated Programs 

Goals 

•	 Articulate common international 

clean energy goals and priorities 

for all U.S. government agencies 

and for Congress. 

•	 Develop an integrated action plan 

and streamlined implementation 

structure to achieve these goals. 

Primary Activities 

•	 Articulate High-Level 

Government-Wide International 

Clean Energy Goals and 

Priorities. The next administration 

and Congress could work together 

to establish a common set of 

international clean energy markettransformation goals and priorities 

to guide U.S. programs for the next 

five years. These goals and 

priorities could incorporate the 

opportunities and strategies 

Example of U.S. Government 2013 

International Clean Energy Goals – 

Illustrative Only 

1. U.S.-led international clean energy 

cooperation helps achieve global targets 

such as 10% of electricity from RE, 5% 

decline in oil use, and a $200-300 

billion/yr. RE and EE market. 

2. Revitalized government investmentfacilitation programs support $2-4 

billion/yr. of U.S.-industry RE/EE exports 

and trade projects (EXIM supported 

$120 million of RE projects in 2007) 

3. Expand high-value international clean 

energy technology RD&D cooperation to 

a $100 million/yr. effort for the U.S. (~ 5-

10x increase from current) and U.S. 

clean energy foreign assistance to $2.5 

billion/yr. (~ a 2x increase from current). 

4. Robust clean energy market 

transformation partnerships implemented 

with China, India, Brazil; and regionally 

in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. 

22
 
 

 

 

proposed in this report, along with recommendations made by others, into a 

focused set of international clean energy goals and strategic priorities (see 

“Example of U.S. Government 2013 International Clean Energy Goals”). 

•	 Engage Public-Private Task Force in Developing a Comprehensive Action 

Plan. A public-private task force could establish a coordinated government-wide, 

multi-year action plan to achieve the U.S. international clean energy goals. This 

action plan should present a roadmap of actions over the next five years for 

achieving each goal and should identify annual targets and deliverables. The plan 

would leverage U.S. government resources with the U.S. private sector, 

foundations, and international partners, and could acknowledge the emergence of 

other countries as international clean energy market and policy leaders. This 

public-private task force could be engaged in annual reviews to assess progress in 

implementation and inform government-wide annual plans for the next year, 

similar to the planning process currently used by DOE technology programs. Note 

that Section 916 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 

2007) mandates the establishment of a task force across U.S. federal agencies to 

coordinate implementation of a U.S. clean energy strategy. 

•	 Consolidate and Streamline U.S. International Clean Energy Programs. 

More than 10 U.S. government departments and agencies, and numerous 

programs within each organization, are engaged in international clean energy 

initiatives. This complex array makes it difficult for the U.S. government to act in 

a coordinated fashion and for industry and others to effectively partner with them. 

Several options for consolidation and streamlining could be considered, including: 

o	 Assigning responsibility for government-wide international clean energy 

coordination to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), or possibly 

a new CEQ energy equivalent, as proposed by the Presidential Climate 

Action Project and others. 

o	 Consolidating international clean energy programs in a smaller number of 

departments or agencies or into a couple of interagency initiatives and 

portfolios—climate change, technology and market development, and 

investment and trade promotion; 

o	 Establishing government-wide leads for each program area with authority 

to coordinate activities across agencies; and 

o	 Creating an international clean energy resource center to serve as a focal 

point for streamlined assistance and partnership development with privatesector firms and others. This could build from the project assistance center 

concept under the Clean Energy Technology Exports (CETE) initiative 

proposed several years ago. 

Potential Impacts 

A tightly focused, effectively coordinated and resourced international clean energy 

program is essential for the United States to capture the economic, environmental, energy 

security, and development benefits presented earlier. A coherent and integrated program 

will help the U.S. government partner with the private sector, the international 

community, and others to achieve the scale of investment in key markets needed to create 

lasting clean energy market transformation. 

23
 
 

 

Key Partners 

The U.S. government would partner with the private sector, laboratories, universities, 

foundations, and NGOs to develop and achieve the international clean energy goals. A 

consortium of DOE labs could be established to help the government develop and 

implement the clean energy action plan in cooperation with other stakeholders. The U.S. 

government would design programs that could be implemented in close cooperation with 

other countries; international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), World 

Bank, and regional banks; and other international institutions. 

Foundational Action 2. Enhance U.S. Engagement and Leadership in 

International Forums 

Goal 

•	 Actively and constructively engage in international forums to enhance the United 

States’ role as a thought leader and solutions provider to common international 

energy challenges. 

Primary Activities 

•	 Bolster U.S. Participation in Leading Global Energy and Environmental 

Initiatives and Forums. The United States currently plays an active leadership 

role in several forums, including multilateral implementing agreements under the 

IEA, the work of the IPCC, and initiatives spearheaded by the United States (e.g., 

APP, MEMs, IPHE, Energy Development in Island Nations, etc.). At the same 

time, the United States is playing a diminished role in several other important 

international programs, such as the international climate change negotiations, the 

establishment of an International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Global 

Village Energy Partnership (which the United States helped establish), and other 

similar activities. Enhanced U.S. participation and leadership in these programs 

and forums is essential to make progress toward U.S. clean energy goals. 

•	 Coordinate Efforts Across the U.S. Government to Strengthen Partnerships 

with International Institutions and Other Countries. Stronger partnerships 

with key countries (as defined further in this report) and international institutions 

including the IEA, World Bank and regional development banks, United Nations 

Environment Program (UNEP), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 

UNFCCC Secretariat, IIASA, IPCC, and others) will yield effectively 

coordinated and leveraged programs that will accelerate progress toward common 

international clean energy goals. The U.S. government could define relationship 

managers for each key partner organization and establish government-wide 

strategic goals for each partnership. The United States is the single largest 

contributor to most of these international institutions and has an opportunity for 

significant influence on their programs that is not currently fully realized. 

24
 
 

Potential Impacts 

Through partnerships and the power of collective global action, the United States can 

have a much greater impact than through unilateral actions. U.S. international leadership 

can foster the concerted global effort across public and private sectors needed to 

transform markets, and the United States can leverage scarce resources through these 

partnerships. 

Key Partners 

The U.S. government would engage the private sector, laboratories, foundations, and 

NGOs in crafting and implementing this international partnership strategy. NREL, with 

other DOE labs, could lead strategy development for the U.S. government and assist with 

relationship management. The DOE labs have strong operational partnerships with most 

of these key international institutions and with leading technical counterparts in other 

developed countries. 

25
 
 

 

 

Implementation Strategy 1: Revitalize U.S. Government 

Clean Energy Investment-Facilitation Programs 

Strategic goal: Strengthen and consolidate U.S. government international clean 

energy investment programs to dramatically increase and accelerate investment by 

U.S. firms in energy efficiency and renewable energy worldwide. 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that $45 trillion of new clean energy 

investment will be needed by 2050 to match growing energy demand in developing and 

developed countries and address climate concerns (IEA 2008a). Stakeholders have 

articulated the need for a more effective and consolidated portfolio of U.S. government 

programs that facilitate and support clean energy investments in these markets by U.S. 

firms. 

Action 1.1. Enhanced and Streamlined Portfolio of High-Impact InvestmentFacilitation Services for U.S. Companies 

Goals 

•	 Provide targeted portfolio of high-value international clean energy investment 

support services for U.S. firms. 

•	 Deliver services in a highly efficient and streamlined manner so that support can 

be provided with limited transaction costs and on the time scale needed by the 

business community. 

Primary Activities 

•	 Convene Clean Energy Finance Summit. Conduct a summit with U.S. privatesector technology providers and investors, U.S. agencies, and other key players to 

identify the highest-value U.S. government investment-facilitation services and 

strategies for efficient delivery of these services. This summit could further 

explore several specific options identified through consultation with the private 

sector in this effort, including: 

o	 Taking key actions to increase demand for clean energy technologies and 

associated project development in key markets; 

o	 Enhancing timely access to risk insurance and guaranteed debt financing; 

o	 Establishing a new class of securities referred to as global development 

bonds; and 

o	 Creating new clean energy investment funds targeting emerging markets 

and high-risk technologies. 

•	 Strengthen Global and Regional Investment Risk-Mitigation Vehicles for 

Emerging Markets. Enhance risk-mitigation vehicles for emerging markets 

(private firms identified this as a need). The United States could team with global 

institutions (e.g., the International Finance Corporation, GEF, UNFCCC, 

multilateral development banks, and others), and developed and developing 

countries to establish a more effective portfolio of global or regional loan 

guarantees, reduced rate loans, risk insurance, development bonds, and related 

26
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

vehicles. This effort would support private investment from all sources in clean 

energy projects in developing countries. 

•	 Consolidate and Streamline Existing and New Services. Consolidate 

investment services that are now offered across multiple U.S. agencies (EXIM, 

TDA, OPIC, Commerce, DOE, and others) and streamline the delivery of these 

services so businesses can have a “one-stop shop” for investment support. For 

example, this could be done through the creation of a government-wide clean 

energy project and investment center 

as proposed under the Clean Energy 

Technology Exports initiative that was 

planned several years ago. Section 916 

of the Energy Security and 

Independence Act of 2007 also calls 

for the establishment of an interagency 

working group to coordinate clean 

energy export programs. 

•	 Provide Country Policy, 

Procurement, and IP Protection 

Support. For priority markets, the 

United States government could work 

with host-country governments 

(building on the enabling activities 

described earlier) to enact policies, 

trade efforts, and programs to make 

their markets receptive to international 

private investment. This could include 

the development of governmentprocurement programs to stimulate 

market development, and programs to 

work with host countries to strengthen 

IP protection and enforcements while 

advising U.S. firms of IP risks (see “IP 

Risks and Opportunities”). 

•	 Convene Enterprise Growth Forums 

in Developing Countries. Apply 

successful U.S. models for technology 

incubators and enterprise growth 

forums that help attract venture-capital 

IP Risks and Opportunities 

Stakeholders have identified the 

following key IP issues: 

o	 Concerns about weak IP protection 

and enforcement in other countries 

can stop U.S. firms from pursuing 

clean energy investments in other 

countries or raise the costs and time 

required to negotiate deals. 

o	 At the same time, a growing level of 

clean energy IP is generated in other 

countries and U.S. firms can benefit 

greatly by gaining enhanced access 

to this IP. 

o	 There is an opportunity for the U.S. 

government to develop more 

effective mechanisms to more 

actively engage countries in 

strengthening IP protection and 

raising the visibility of cases where 

IP enforcement does not occur. 

o	 The U.S. government and labs also 

have a role to play in monitoring 

clean energy IP development and 

protection in other countries and 

sharing this information with U.S. 

firms. 

o	 The U.S. government and labs can 

also pursue cooperative R&D 

relationships that give enhance 

access to IP and unique innovations 

developed in other countries. 

funding to new technology businesses and expand these approaches to developing 

countries. The United States could use these forums to expose the investment and 

policy community to emerging technologies and to address technology 

performance or quality questions. Forums could be organized by sector within 

countries and regionally. 

27
 
 

 

Impacts 

A streamlined portfolio of high-value clean energy investment services could help U.S. 

firms capture a greater percentage of the global renewable energy and energy efficiency 

market (estimated at nearly $150 billion in 2007 by New Energy Finance), which is 

expected to grow to nearly $1 trillion per year by 2050, according to the IEA. 

Key Partners 

The U.S. government could team with U.S. firms to develop a more effective and 

consolidated portfolio of investment vehicles to support U.S. clean energy exports while 

working with international partners (including the IFC) to develop global investment 

risk-mitigation vehicles for emerging markets. National labs could be teamed with private 

finance consultants to design and implement such programs. 

Action 1.2. Global Clean Energy Fund 

Goals 

•	 Ensure adequate access to capital for higher-risk clean energy projects in 

developing countries that have significant GHG mitigation, energy security, and 

development value. 

•	 Complement existing funds and financing mechanisms to accelerate clean energy 

investment. 

Program Activities 

•	 Establish Clean Energy Fund. Team with other developed countries and 

international institutions to establish a clean energy fund that would provide cofinancing for projects that advance use of high-risk and emerging technologies 

and projects. Funds would be allocated only to projects where the host country 

has committed to necessary co-financing as well as policy and trade support to 

ensure thriving and sustained investment markets for the technology. 

•	 Create a Complementary Portfolio of Investment Products. The fund would 

provide not only grants for project implementation, but could provide a broader 

portfolio of investment products to accelerate clean energy investment. This could 

include preferential loans, as well as access to equity financing, infrastructure 

financing, and other innovative global sources of capital (e.g., global development 

bonds). 

•	 Offer Project Development Advisory Services. This fund would couple 

advisory services with grants, loans, and other financial packages to ensure that 

adequate business models are being designed and implemented, and that an 

appropriately trained management team is in place to execute the project. This 

holistic approach to fund management would ensure that the capabilitydevelopment element cited by many country submissions is adequately addressed 

at the project level. 

Potential Impacts 

A well-developed, adequately resourced, and sustained global clean energy fund could 

dramatically accelerate clean energy investment. The U.S. government recently proposed 

28
 
 

 

$2 billion over the next three years for such a fund, and total funding commitments from 

10 developed countries, including the United States, now total $6.1 billion. This funding 

could leverage private investment at 10:1 or more, and could result in $60 billion in the 

near term. The Better World Campaign recommends a global doubling of energy-related 

foreign assistance to $15 billion per year with a U.S. share of $2.5 billion per year (Purvis 

2008). 

Key Partners 

The United States would continue to partner with other developed countries, the World 

Bank, and other international organizations (e.g., there is consideration of climate 

technology funds under the UNFCCC) in developing the fund; and would partner with 

the private sector for design and implementation. National laboratories could provide 

technical support to design fund programs and review proposals. 

Action 1.3. Public-Private Program Planning and Implementation 

Goals 

•	 Develop an ongoing process for engaging U.S. firms in planning of U.S.-led 

international clean energy programs. 

•	 Inform firms of U.S. programs and coordinate implementation with private-sector 

activities and interests. 

Program Activities 

• Develop a U.S. Government/Private-Sector Planning and Outreach Forum. 

The U.S. government could reinstitute the CORECT and COEECT models for 

holding ongoing (e.g., quarterly) meetings with industry to discuss government 

programs, highlight industry activities and priorities, seek input on new plans, and 

coordinate implementation. 

•	 Conduct Annual Program Review. The U.S. government could conduct an 

annual international clean energy program with all key stakeholders to evaluate 

past performance and seek input on plans for the next year. This could follow the 

format for DOE technology program annual reviews. 

•	 Establish Clearinghouse and Resource Center for Private-Sector Partners. 

The U.S. government could establish a Web site with up-to-date information on 

U.S. international clean energy programs across agencies and points of contact 

who could provide business representatives with information on programs and 

opportunities for participation. This also could match businesses with market and 

technical experts who can provide quick-response assistance as they evaluate new 

investment opportunities and share information on markets, existing analysis 

tools, and financing resources. 

Potential Impacts 

Engaging the business community in program planning and delivery will help U.S. 

government programs overcome the most critical barriers to accelerated and sustained 

private investment. This action also will ensure that government leverages its activities 

29
 
 

effectively with the private sector and that these programs expand U.S. clean energy 

exports. 

Key Partners 

The U.S. government could team with industry associations to plan and coordinate 

technical-support activities with national labs and others, including providing expert 

assistance to firms. 

30
 
 

 

 

Implementation Strategy 2: Technology RD3 and 

Infrastructure Partnerships 

Strategic goal: Accelerate global renewable energy and energy efficiency 

development and deployment through technology cooperation. 

Rapidly expanding investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency technology 

development and deployment represents the leading edge of a transition in the global 

economy, from one fueled by conventional fossil fuel resources to one powered 

predominantly by renewable resources. Various stakeholders have highlighted the need 

for a new paradigm of international global cooperation on technology research, 

development, demonstration, and deployment (RD3

) to achieve this clean energy 

transformation. Several stakeholders also noted the need for the United States to scale-up 

its domestic RD3 programs to rebuild U.S. global leadership. 

International RD3 cooperation can engage researchers and resources worldwide in 

speeding the rate of technology innovation and commercialization. Effective two-way 

cooperation enhances access to unique innovations and capabilities and market conditions 

in other countries for U.S. firms and research institutions, and ultimately leads to 

increased U.S. clean energy jobs and lower energy prices for consumers. Such global 

RD3 cooperation can proceed most easily when it focuses on foundational research, 

analysis and testing issues, technology demonstration and infrastructure, and related 

topics that do not involve sensitive IP or areas where U.S. firms are actively competing 

with foreign firms. 

Stakeholders have proposed the following technology cooperation actions. 

Action 2.1. Accelerated Global R&D Cooperation 

Goals 

•	 Speed clean energy technology innovation and leveraging of U.S. R&D 

investments through enhanced bilateral and multilateral R&D partnerships 

•	 Prime clean energy markets in developing countries by enhancing the talent pool 

of clean energy researchers and professionals. 

Primary Activities 

•	 Strengthen International Clean Energy Research Partnerships and 

Networks. Expand current clean energy R&D partnerships through bilateral 

partnerships, the IEA, collaboration with the European Commission, and 

establishment of global research alliances. Bilateral partnerships can be highly 

effective means of leveraging resources and expertise in tackling common 

research challenges. Several countries worldwide have growing clean energy 

R&D programs, and there are large opportunities for more robust bilateral 

collaboration with these countries that build from existing relationships that DOE, 

NREL, and others have established (see “Potential Key Country and Regional 

Partners”). In addition, the United States and other partners can enhance the 

31
 
 

 

extent of R&D collaboration through the IEA, including more full engagement of 

developing-country partners. The United States also should explore working with 

international partners to establish one or more networks of leading renewable 

energy and energy efficiency research organizations around the world to conduct 

cooperative research and analysis projects, identify and communicate needs for 

increased R&D investment, share research methods and results, conduct outreach, 

and facilitate professional exchanges and education programs. These alliances 

also could be structured to engage private-sector firms that are making large 

investments in R&D. This could include the establishment of a consultative group 

on clean energy research, modeled after the Consultative Group on International 

Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which would focus on the development and 

diffusion of low-cost clean energy technologies for use by low-income 

populations around the world. 

•	 Create Global Clean Energy R&D Funds and/or Prizes. Team with other 

countries, international institutions, and the private sector to create global funds to 

support open and distributed innovation for priority clean energy technologies.5 

Such funds could focus especially on common noncompetitive research topics, 

technologies, and applications with large global market potential that are currently 

underfunded by national programs. It also could focus on areas where distributed 

innovation will accelerate progress at paces much faster than could occur through 

separate national programs. The partners also could establish technology prizes 

(such as the X PRIZE for the first 100 mph car) to complement this fund and 

incentivize distributed private-sector R&D investment 

•	 Launch Robust Researcher Exchange and Training Programs. Initiate active 

programs to sponsor exchange of U.S. researchers with other countries to enrich 

professional R&D collaboration and help the United States learn from and gain 

access to research knowledge in other countries, accelerating the pace of 

technology innovation. This also could include efforts to build a network of 

developing-country researchers through training and education programs so that 

businesses have a deeper talent pool to draw from in these countries, allowing 

these markets to grow more quickly. 

Potential Impacts 

Global R&D cooperation can have a tremendous impact in accelerating technology 

innovation and development. For example, the Humane Genome project pooled resources 

across countries and the private sector to decode the human genetic code at a rapid pace. 

Global cooperation can be a force multiplier, leveraging U.S. R&D funding with funding 

from other countries and the private sector. 

Key Partners 

The United States could partner with other developed and developing countries, the 

private sector, and international institutions. The national laboratories could provide 

technical leadership for the design and implementation of global R&D funds and prizes, 

research networks, and researcher-exchange and training programs. 

5

 As proposed by Milford et al., and similar to the proposal by the Better World Campaign (Purvis 2008) 

for an international fund for research and development on revolutionary climate technologies. 

32
 
 

 

 

 

Action 2.2. Technology Demonstration and Scale-up Partnerships 

Goals 

•	 Accelerate the global adoption of targeted technologies through large-scale 

programs to fund the demonstration and deployment of near-commercial 

technologies. 

•	 Accelerate learning, cost reductions, and market acceptance needed for broad 

deployment of near-commercial technologies. 

Primary Activities 

•	 Support International Technology Scale-Up Programs. The United States. 

could team with other countries and international institutions to provide financial 

and technical support for large-scale demonstration of selected technologies in 

targeted developing-country markets. Technologies and markets could be 

selected based on industry and other stakeholder consultations, and criteria such 

as private-sector investment interest, GHG mitigation value, self-sustaining 

replication potential, environmental impacts, and other factors. Support for 

technology scale-up programs would be contingent on host-country co-funding 

and adoption of market-enabling policies and programs. 

•	 Develop Global and Regional Technology Roadmaps and Systems to Share 

Demonstration Results. The United States could work with participating 

countries, companies, and international institutions to develop common global 

and regional technology deployment roadmaps for the target technologies. This 

would provide a foundation for implementing technology demonstrations and 

addressing the full suite of technical and market barriers to sustained investment. 

In addition, global sharing of data from demonstration projects and early market 

experiences can help advance technology learning and cost reductions. 

Potential Impacts 

Well-structured and targeted technology demonstration and scale-up partnerships could 

significantly increase deployment and self-sustaining market growth for selected 

technologies. For example, the IPCC has estimated the global concentrated solar power 

(CSP) potential will be between 630 to 4,700 GW by 2030 or 2040, compared to current 

installed CSP capacity (around 500 MW) and 11 GW of plants under development. The 

IEA also notes that once 10 carbon-capture storage demonstration plants are built and 

operating, the technology will be sufficiently proven for the investment community to 

undertake projects without government support (IEA 2006). Such technology scale-up 

programs can advance technology learning; reduce costs; and overcome market-specific 

policy, capacity, and investment barriers. 

Key Partners 

The U.S. government would team with the private sector, international institutions, and 

other developed and developing countries to implement such technology scale-up 

programs. NREL and other DOE laboratories can play a technical leadership role with 

such initiatives. 

33
 
 

Action 2.3. Launch Sustainable Community, Integrated Deployment, and 

Infrastructure Partnerships 

Goals 

•	 Foster the development of sustainable communities worldwide that apply a 

holistic, systems-level approach across sectors to promote use of clean energy 

technologies. 

•	 Assist countries and regions in identifying and applying the optimal portfolio of 

renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies to meet their energy, 

economic, and environmental goals 

•	 Accelerate the development of new and modified infrastructures and increase 

investment in existing infrastructure to support the global transition to clean 

energy, based on renewable energy resources and energy efficiency. 

Primary Activities 

•	 Support Sustainable Community and Regional Infrastructure Planning and 

Implementation. In partnership with other countries and donors, provide 

financial and technical support to assist communities and regional organizations 

worldwide in designing and planning sustainable communities and infrastructure 

development needed for clean energy transformation. This could include the 

following components: 

o	 Sustainable Community Design and Regional Infrastructure Planning 

Grants to provide seed funds for the community design and planning, and 

coordinated investments in transmission and transportation infrastructure 

needed to support clean energy use; 

o	 Sustainable Communities Clearinghouse to provide information on best 

practices and analytical tools to support outreach programs, including the 

development of simulation and screening tools; 

o	 Financing and Advisory Services to provide communities with expert 

assistance in exploring innovative financing options and matchmaking 

between communities and potential sources of capital; and 

o	 Sustainable Community and Infrastructure Planning Training to build 

capacity in local governments and regional organizations to design and 

finance projects. 

•	 Assist Developing Countries in Optimizing Use of a Portfolio of Clean 

Energy Solutions. Partner with host developing countries and donors to provide 

technical support for evaluating the most the effective mix of renewable energy 

and energy efficiency technologies and programs to meet their needs, and 

implementing programs to accelerate investment in these technologies. This 

could build off the DOE and NREL integrated deployment partnership with 

Hawaii and related Clean Energy Islands Initiative. 

•	 Expand Regional Infrastructure and Clean Energy Development Forums. 

These forums would support technology-specific infrastructure development and 

regional energy cooperation, such as Western Hemisphere biofuels planning and 

34
 
 

 

development.6 North American energy cooperation would foster transmission and 

clean energy electricity planning among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

This also could include similar forums in other regions of the world to help grow 

these markets in coordinated fashions. 

Potential Impacts 

A complete transformation of energy systems requires optimizing the use of a mix of 

clean energy solutions and fundamental changes in infrastructure and community design. 

This would allow for new integrated systems that link electricity supply and distribution, 

fuel production, transportation, and energy end use in sustainable manners. By supporting 

integrated deployment programs and sustainable community and infrastructure design 

worldwide, the U.S. government and private sector can be at the forefront of this 

transformation and accelerate clean energy adoption and market growth. 

Key Partners 

The United States could build from existing DOE, NREL, and other integrated 

deployment, renewable energy and carbon neutral community, and infrastructure 

planning initiatives. It also could partner with existing international programs, such as the 

Global Village Energy Partnership and the work of the International Council for Local 

Environmental Initiatives. NREL and other DOE labs also could provide technical 

support for these initiatives. 

6

 See Western Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum as proposed in Senate Bill 1007 at the Library of 

Congress (2007). 

35
 
 

 

 

 

 

Implementation Strategy 3: Partner with Major Developing 

Countries to Transform Clean Energy Markets 

Strategic goal: U.S. partners with other countries and international institutions in 

strengthening policy and market conditions in key countries and regions worldwide 

that will foster sustained clean energy investment and transformation. 

The U.S. government has a vital role to play 

in assisting key developing countries in Potential Key Country and Regional 

Partners – Illustrative Only strengthening policy environments, the 

analytic foundation, and the human capacity 

o Countries – Brazil, China, India, required for clean energy market Mexico, and S. Africa. These five transformation. Stakeholders have highlighted countries have large and growing the critical need for improving in-country clean energy markets and GHG policy and market environments to attract and emissions, and play global and 

sustain high levels of private investment, and regional leadership roles on these 

have identified several actions that the U.S. issues. They also are centers of 

technology innovation (less so for government can pursue. Such efforts can Mexico and S. Africa) and countries build on the strong government and lab with which the U.S. has close 

relationships with counterparts in other relationships. 

countries, and must be driven by strong 

o	 Regions – Africa, Asia, Latin interest and support by the host countries. For America, and NIS (newly example, DOE, NREL, and other labs have independent states). Regional collaborated with China for the past decade on programs, including policy support, analytic and technical work to inform design energy assessments and decision 

and implementation of clean energy policies tools, capacity building, and 

and programs. To achieve maximum impact, investment facilitation can be highly 

effective in advancing market the United States should focus its market- transformation in these parts of the transformation activities on key countries and world. 

regions (see “Potential Key Country and 

Regional Partners”). This also could build on 

proposals by the Council on Foreign Relations, Presidential Climate Action Project, and 

others for strategic climate cooperation partnerships with key countries, and on the 

approach of the Asia-Pacific Partnership to engage countries on collaborative programs 

to reduce GHG emissions from target sectors. 

Action 3.1. Partner with Key Countries to Strengthen Clean Energy Policies 

and Programs 

Goals 

•	 Assist key countries in strengthening policies and programs that will mobilize 

large-scale international clean energy investment. 

•	 Leverage U.S. government investment with commitments from the host country 

and support for international donors and private firms for maximum impact. 

36
 
 

Primary Activities 

•	 Assist Key Countries with Policy and Program Reforms. The United States 

could expand its current partnerships with key countries (e.g. China, India, Brazil, 

and regional efforts) to assist them in refining and strengthening clean energy 

policies and programs that will accelerate private investment and technology use. 

Such efforts would focus on those policies and programs where the host countries 

are interested in U.S. analytic and expert assistance and could be informed by 

barriers identified by U.S. firms. U.S. assistance could include: 

o	 Resource, infrastructure, and economic analysis to guide policy and 

investment decisions and action plans; 

o	 Expert technical support and training on clean energy policy and program 

design and implementation at national and provincial levels; 

o	 Development and support of policy-decision tools for use by government 

decision-makers and key business and technical partners in the countries; 

o	 Investment risk mitigation and other investment-facilitation activities to 

promote investment by U.S. firms in each country; and 

o	 Development of national renewable energy and energy efficiency 

strategies and action plans. 

•	 Link Assistance to Incentives for Countries to Adopt Governance, IP 

Protection, and Free Trade Policies and Best Practices. The U.S. government 

could link increased support of key countries to progress in improving 

governance, IP protection, trade policies, and enabling environments in the host 

countries, similar to the Millennium Challenge Corporation approach and work by 

USAID and the World Bank in this area. 

•	 Provide Technical Support in Design of Government Procurement and 

Facilities Energy Management Programs. The United States can assist 

countries in applying effective approaches and tools developed through the 

Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and similar state and local efforts 

to strengthen government procurement programs. Such procurement provides not 

only cost, energy use, and emissions reductions for governments, but also 

provides the leadership, stimulus, and certainty needed to develop new markets 

and offer a prominent model that can motivate private-sector adoption of 

renewable energy and energy efficiency. 

Potential Impacts 

Comprehensive market-enabling programs in China, for example, could help achieve 

China’s goal of 15% of primary energy from renewable energy by 2020, representing a 

total investment opportunity of $265 billion (Cai 2007) and reducing China’s GHG 

emissions by 1.2 billion tons of CO2 per year by 2020 (CCAP 2008). 

Key Partners 

The U.S. government would partner with the host country to implement market-enabling 

programs and could establish a technical team (e.g., NREL and other labs, consultants, 

etc.) to deliver technical services to the countries. U.S. companies could help identify 

priorities for policy reform in key countries and could partner with other international 

donors to implement this program. 

37
 
 

 

 

Action 3.2. Develop Clean Energy and Climate Assessment Partnerships -

Providing Objective and Credible Data and Decision Tools 

Goals 

•	 Launch a global clean energy assessment initiative to develop and maintain 

comprehensive data on technology costs, environmental and economic impacts, 

market potential, policy impacts, and analytic tools. 

•	 Establish a knowledge transfer and outreach capability to broadly share the data 

and tools to inform private-sector investment and government policy decisions. 

Primary Activities 

•	 Launch a Global Clean Energy Assessment Partnership. Team with other 

countries (e.g., European countries, Japan, China, India, Brazil, etc.) and 

international institutions (e.g., REN21, IEA, IIASA, World Bank, UN agencies, 

etc.) to develop a cooperative global clean energy assessment initiative. This 

partnership would not duplicate existing efforts but build on initial efforts of 

REN21 and others working on this challenge. Through this partnership or 

separate U.S. efforts, the following activities could be conducted: 

o	 Create a Centralized Repository of Renewable Energy and Energy 

Efficiency Assessment Data and Tools. This repository could develop 

and maintain accurate information on life-cycle costs and environmental 

and economic impacts, market potential and penetration scenarios for 

different world regions and major countries, status of policies and data on 

policy impacts and best practices, and data on clean energy investment 

trends and drivers. 

o	 Conduct Studies to Fill Key Data Gaps. The United States and other 

partners could supplement available data with new studies in key areas 

and maintain accurate information to inform policy and investment 

decisions. 

o	 Adapt and Enhance Existing Analytic Tools for International 

Applications. This could include providing technical resources to support 

use of these tools. 

o	 Conduct Outreach and Training on Assessment Data and Analytic 

Tools. Such training and outreach would target government decisionmakers in key countries as well as private-sector investors. 

•	 Team with Key Developing Countries on Clean Energy GHG Mitigation 

Analyses. Partner with major developing countries (starting with China and 

India) and others to conduct rigorous assessments of the potential 

contributions of clean energy to reducing GHG emissions, which would 

inform climate-mitigation action plans for these countries. This would 

include developing and maintaining renewable energy and energy efficiency 

supply curves at national and regional levels that reflect policy and technology 

and infrastructure development scenarios. This effort also would evaluate the 

health, air quality, and economic co-benefits of greater clean energy use to 

inform national and regional plans and programs. The partners also would 

provide enhanced tools for ongoing climate clean energy supply and co38
 
 

benefits analysis to decision-makers at national and regional levels. This could 

build from work by DOE, EPA, McKinsey, NREL and others on this topic. 

Potential Impacts 

Comprehensive and objective information on technology costs, impacts, market potential, 

and policies is essential to educate policy makers, investors, and consumers, as well as 

inform policy and project design. The debate about the sustainability impacts of biofuels 

is a good example of where strong opinions based on very limited information are driving 

policy and investor decisions and influencing consumer acceptance, which potentially 

impedes the global transition to advanced biofuels. 

Key Partners 

As noted above, the U.S. government could develop a partnership with other countries 

and international institutions to achieve the ambitious goals of this initiative. A technical 

team (NREL and other labs, consultants, etc.) could lead the assessment activities. 

Action 3.3. Expand Use of Common Technology Standards, and Global 

Education and Awareness of Clean Energy Technology Benefits 

Goals 

•	 Support the development and use of common global performance standards, 

testing, and certification methods for clean energy technologies worldwide. 

•	 Team with others on global education and training programs for consumers, 

private-sector firms, and government officials on technology performance and 

applications. 

Primary Activities 

•	 Promote Use of Common Technology Performance Standards and Test and 

Certification Methods Worldwide. Join various international bodies (e.g., IEC, 

IEEE ISO, ASTM, IEA, etc.) already establishing performance standards, and test 

and certification methods for clean energy technologies. In many developing 

countries, these standards are not well understood or applied consistently across 

all products. In addition, global standards do not exist for all emerging 

technologies, especially applications geared to developing country markets. The 

United States could team with the key standard and certification bodies and other 

countries to fill gaps in standards, testing, and certification methods and promote 

their consistent use. 

•	 Conduct Education and Outreach Programs on Technology Standards and 

Test Methods, Product Labeling, and Clean Energy Opportunities. Support 

global-, regional-, and national-level education and outreach on performance 

standards and test methods. This also could include sharing information on 

available certification and testing institutes worldwide. Additionally, the 

partnership could support common global product-labeling programs and promote 

broad awareness of the opportunities and benefits of clean energy technologies. 

•	 Provide Training and Technical Assistance on Standards, Testing and 

Certification, and on Technology Applications. Provide training on the 

39
 
 

 

 

standards, test and certification methods, and accreditation procedures to country 

institutes. For example, the UNDP provided China with technical assistance to 

establish national solar water heating test centers and a product certification and 

labeling program (Wallace et al. 2006). Training also could be expanded to cover 

the full range of technology application issues to support workforce development 

in key target markets. This training would be most effective if it builds on, 

without duplicating, other existing similar initiatives and programs for each sector 

and complements private-sector activities. 

Potential Impacts 

Rigorous performance standards, testing, and certification are essential for establishing 

investor and user confidence in a product. Without such standards, it will be difficult to 

attract investment and consumers, and investors may have negative experiences with 

inferior products that will diminish their future interest in the technology and impede 

broad acceptance. In addition, consistent global standards, testing, and certification 

programs ensure that consumers in developing countries are aware of differences in 

performance (where they exist) between imported (e.g., from the United States) and 

locally manufactured products. 

Key Partners 

The U.S. government could partner with existing international energy standards and 

certification organizations, as well as other countries and international institutions on this 

effort. A technical team (NREL and other labs, consultants, etc.) could lead 

implementation of the activities. 

Action 3.4. Support Workforce Development in Key Countries 

Goals 

•	 Provide assistance to important developing-country partners to build the capacity 

of their clean energy workforce and provide the technical skills needed for 

sustained market growth 

•	 Emphasize workforce development in areas where U.S. firms active in these 

markets need enhanced in-country capacity to support their business plans 

Primary Activities 

•	 Establish Joint Workforce Development Plans with Key Country and 

International Partners. Work with the countries and U.S. businesses active there 

to identify priority workforce-development needs. Based on these needs, the 

partners would design joint professional education and capacity-building 

programs. 

•	 Team with International Institutions and Other Countries to Provide 

Technical Support for Workforce Development. Provide train-the-trainer 

workshops, common curriculum and educational resources, networks that link 

U.S. community colleges with counterparts in other countries, dissemination of 

best practices and lessons with clean energy professional education programs, and 

expert assistance. 

40
 
 

 

Potential Impacts 

This effort will ensure that adequate technical capacity in developing countries supports 

rapidly growing clean energy markets. It also will provide the workforce skills needed for 

U.S. firms to increase their investments in these markets. 

Key Partners 

The U.S. government could partner with other developed countries, developing countries, 

and international institutions in implementing these workforce development activities. A 

technical team that taps both expertise at the laboratories and at U.S. colleges and 

educational facilities could lead the implementation of the activities. 

41
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix B. Summary of Stakeholder Comments 

The table below presents a synthesis of input received from more than 40 stakeholders 

participating in this effort. 

Table B-1. Stakeholder Comments on U.S. International Clean Energy 

Opportunities and Actions 

Theme Comments 

U.S. Leadership and 

Organization 

• U.S. government should establish a few strategic international 

clean energy cooperation goals and priorities and a coordinated 

and well-resourced long-term program across agencies to 

achieve these goals. 

• The broader domestic and international community (both public 

and private) must be directly engaged in the formulation, as well 

as the implementation of these strategies. 

• Revitalized U.S. programs must be based on sound science and 

economics and align with U.S. national objectives – particularly 

in the areas of economic growth, energy security, and fostering 

global sustainable development. 

• A concerted effort to re-engage in key international forums and 

to achieve an effective global climate agreement is needed. 

• U.S. government should acknowledge that it is no longer the 

leader in most global clean energy markets and that it would 

benefit greatly from bilateral and multilateral partnerships. 

Investment Facilitation 

• Industry can partner best with the U.S. government when the 

U.S. maintains well-resourced programs in a few strategic areas 

over multiple years and speaks with one common voice 

• Current U.S. clean energy financing and investment programs 

need to be streamlined and reformed to better respond to the 

needs of the private sector players they seek to support 

• Many of the U.S. finance and trade institutions and mechanisms 

are bureaucratic, difficult to access, and unresponsive on the 

timescales that the private sector requires, creating obstacles for 

businesses to take advantage of the tools the U.S. government 

provides; 

• Past efforts to coordinate programs and conduct joint planning 

with industry (e.g., CORECT and COEECT) have had significant 

value. 

• There is great value in high-level U.S. government engagement 

with in-country policy makers to establish policy frameworks that 

are attractive for private investment. 

Technology Cooperation 

• Significant benefits can be derived from international technology 

partnerships and research alliances designed to leverage 

resources and capabilities with partners around the world and to 

work toward common goals. 

• U.S. has much to learn from world class clean energy technology 

expertise in other countries (including major developing countries 

that are centers of innovation) and should pursue balanced and 

two-way technology cooperation partnerships. 

• U.S. government should identify and create opportunities to 

make international partners aware of U.S. technologies and 

expertise 

• U.S. should more actively seek to engage international private 

42
 
 

 

 

 

 

enterprises in technology commercialization 

• International partnerships can facilitate cooperation on 

foundational research, codes and standards, analysis issues, 

and other non-competitive topics. At the same time, there are 

also opportunities for technology partnerships to advance 

technology development with shared IP and incentives for 

protecting IP across national borders 

Enabling Clean Energy 

Markets 

• United States has rich technology and analytic expertise to apply 

in leading global clean energy technology and market 

assessments and in building worldwide knowledge on renewable 

energy and energy efficiency. 

• U.S. government has a critical role to play in partnership with 

others on effective in-country policies, common global standards, 

and sound trade policies. 

• U.S. programs should be tailored to the stages of energy market 

development and governance in countries and incentivize 

progress 

• Holistic long-term programs (ranging from policy reform to 

capacity building and financing assistance) tailored to countries 

and market conditions and that engage the private sector and 

international institutions have the greatest potential for long-term 

success. 

43
 
 

 

Appendix C. Description of Clean Energy Scenarios and 

Benefits Assessment 

This appendix presents the scenarios from various sources that were used to estimate 

levels of global RE and EE market penetration and investment, reductions in oil use, and 

reductions in GHG emissions that could be achieved through concerted international 

cooperation. It also summarizes the methodology used in applying these scenarios to 

estimate benefits to the United States. 

NREL reviewed several prominent scenarios—including the IEA Blue Map Scenario, the 

IPCC scenarios, and the McKinsey scenarios for achieving climate stabilization—and 

used these and other studies to develop ranges for global RE and EE market growth and 

oil-use reduction as inputs for the benefits analysis. The benefits analysis focuses on 

benefits to the United States from global clean energy market transformation in 2020 and 

2050. In several cases, extrapolations of existing scenarios were conducted to develop 

estimates for 2020 for the benefits analysis. This appendix presents both baseline and 

action (e.g., robust international cooperation) projections for these variables and the 

methodology for the benefits analysis. 

Renewable Energy Status and Baseline Projections 

Renewable electricity generation capacity reached approximately 240 GW worldwide in 

2007, implying growth of 50% more than 2004 capacity levels. Excluding large 

hydropower, renewables account for 5% of global power capacity and 3.4% of global 

power generation (DOE 2008) (Figure C-1). In the IEA Blue Scenario, the electricity mix 

in 2050 is approximately 50% renewables, 25% nuclear, and the remaining 25% fossil 

fuels with CO2 capture and storage capability. The IEA projects that the annual growth of 

the supply of energy from renewables through 2030 is 6.7%, faster than any other fuel 

type (IEA 2007).

 Source: “DOE EERE Renewable Energy Databook” (2008) 

Figure C-1. Renewables as a percent of total capacity worldwide 

44
 
 

 

 

Renewable Energy Global Potential Under Action Scenarios 

Table C-1 summarizes the scenarios for global renewable energy use in the electricity 

sector through concerted international action reviewed by NREL. 

Table C-1. Renewable Energy Scenarios 

Renewable Energy Scenarios 

Scenario Global RE Market Penetration 

IEA Blue 46% by 2050 

IPCC ($50/ton CO2) 34% by 2030 

Shell 50% by 2050 

G8 25% by 2025 

European Renewable Energy Council 

and Greenpeace 70% by 2050 

Based on the above scenarios, NREL developed estimates of ranges for global renewable 

energy use in the electricity sector for 2020 and 2050. These ranges are presented in 

Table C-2. 

Table C-2. Renewable Energy Projections 

Renewable Energy Projections 

2020 15-20% of electricity produced by renewables 

2050 45-70% of electricity produced by renewables 

Energy Efficiency Status and Baseline Projections 

Developing countries, whose economies and populations are growing fastest, will 

contribute 74% of the increase in global energy use in the coming years. About 45% of 

the increase can be attributed to growth in China and India alone. Global demand for 

energy will grow at a rate of 1.8% per year through 2030 (a 55% increase in 2030 over 

2005 levels) (IEA 2007). Given the rapid build-out in China and India, there is an 

opportunity to incorporate efficient, low-emissions technology in the infrastructure. 

Energy Efficiency Global Potential Under Action Scenarios 

Table C-3 summarizes the scenarios for global energy efficiency use in the electricity 

sector through concerted international action reviewed by NREL. These scenarios show 

reduced growth rates in global primary energy demand resulting from use of energy 

efficiency technologies and practices. 

45
 
 

 

Table C-3. Energy Efficiency Scenarios 

Energy Efficiency Scenarios 

Percent Increase in Primary 

Energy Demand from 2005 (as 

compared to ~ 100% increase by 

2050 or 2.2 % per year in the 

Scenario baseline) 

IEA Blue 25% by 2050 

McKinsey 0.7% per year 

European Renewable Energy Council 

and Greenpeace -3% by 2050 

Based on the above scenarios, NREL developed estimates of ranges for global reductions 

in primary energy demand for 2020 and 2050. These ranges are presented in Table C-4. 

Table C-4. Energy Efficiency Projections 

Energy Efficiency Projections 

2020 Limit primary demand growth to (2%) to 20% 

2050 Limit primary demand growth to (3%) to 35% 

McKinsey (McKinsey 2008) has broken down opportunities for reducing global energy 

demand into five sectors: transportation, transformation, industrial, commercial, and 

residential (Figure C-2). 

Source: McKinsey Carbon Productivity Report (2008) 

Figure C-2. Opportunities for improving energy efficiency 

The majority of efficiency opportunities are in the United States and developing 

countries, such as China (McKinsey 2008). 

46
 
 

 

 

International GHG Reduction Levels 

GHG Emissions Status and Baseline Projections 

CO2 concentrations have increased from a pre-industrial level of 280 parts per million 

(ppm) to 379 ppm in 2005 (Figure C-3). Global CO2 emissions are expected to grow 

annually at a rate of 1.8% from 2005 to 2030 (2.5% from 2005 to 2015) (IEA 2007). 

Efforts to reduce emissions in the next few years will impact whether the increase in 

global temperatures can be limited to less than 3.0oC. According to the IPCC, CO2 

concentrations must be stabilized at 350 to 400 ppm to avoid a global temperature 

increase of 2.0oC to 2.4oC or more. 

Source: Energy Information Administration 

Figure C-3. World CO2 emissions from the consumption of fossil fuel (2005) 

GHG Emissions Under Action Scenarios 

Table C-5 summarizes the scenarios for global GHG emission reductions through 

concerted international action that were reviewed by NREL. 

Table C-5. GHG Emission Reduction Scenarios 

GHG Emission Reduction Scenarios 

Scenario Global GHG Emission Reduction 

IEA Blue 50% by 2050 

G8 50% by 2050 

McKinsey 68% by 2030 and 76% by 2050 

WWF 60-80% by 2050 

Under the IEA Blue Scenario and the G8 Summit goal, a 50% reduction in CO2 below 

2005 levels is being targeted by 2050 to limit a global temperature increase to 2.4oC, 

47
 
 

 

 

translating to a stabilization in CO2 concentrations at approximately 450 ppm. End-use 

efficiency accounts for 36% of CO2 emissions savings, 21% for renewables, and 10% for 

CO2 capture and storage. The remaining 24% is attributed to nuclear power, fossil fuel 

switching capability, and efficiency in power generation (IEA 2008b). McKinsey has a 

more aggressive approach, suggesting that to stabilize the climate, emissions must be 

reduced by 68% by 2030 and 76% by 2050 relative to current levels. 

Based on the above scenarios, NREL developed estimates of ranges for global reductions 

in GHG emissions for 2020 and 2050. These ranges are presented in Table C-6. 

Table C-6. GHG Emission Reduction Projections 

GHG Emission Reduction Projections 

2020 10-20% reduction from current levels 

2050 50-80% reduction from current levels 

Reductions in Global Oil Use 

Global Oil Use Status and Baseline Projections 

According to the World Energy Outlook, global oil demand will reach 116 million barrels 

per day in 2030, a 37% increase over 2006 levels, with the transportation sector being the 

main driver of demand. Oil will continue to be the single largest fuel source globally, 

though its share will fall from a current level of 35% to 32% in 2030. China and India 

account for 42% of this increase. 

Global oil consumption has increased more than 15% since 1997 (Figure C-4). 

Source: “BP Statistical Review of World Energy” (2008) 

Figure C-4. Historical global oil consumption 

48
 
 

Global Oil Use Under Action Scenarios 

Table C-7 summarizes the scenarios for global reductions in oil use through concerted 

international action reviewed by NREL. 

Table C-7. Oil Use Reduction Scenarios 

Oil Use Reduction Scenarios 

Scenario 

Percent Decrease in Global Oil 

Use Compared to 2005 

IEA Blue 27% by 2050 

McKinsey Up to 25% by 2030 

Under the IEA Blue Scenario, oil demand will be 27% below 2005 levels by 2050, easing 

the supply challenge but still requiring investment in new supply. McKinsey notes that oil 

demand could be decreased by up to 25% from 2005 levels by 2030. Most of the 

reduction can be attributed to higher fuel economy standards, improved mass transit, and 

second-generation biofuels (McKinsey 2008). According to the IPCC, biofuels used as 

gasoline additives and substitutes could account for 5-10% of the transport energy 

demand by 2030 (Metz et al. 2007). 

Based on the above scenarios, NREL developed estimates of ranges for global reductions 

in primary energy demand for 2020 and 2050. These ranges are presented in Table C-8. 

Table C-8. Oil Demand Reduction Projections 

Oil Demand Reduction Projections 

2020 10-20% reduction in demand 

2050 25-50% reduction in demand 

Levels of Private Investment 

Private Investment Status and Baseline Projections 

In 2007, more than $100 billion was invested in the renewable energy space for new 

capacity, manufacturing plants, and R&D (not including large hydropower). Although the 

majority of investment is occurring in Europe, China, and the United States, emerging 

markets are capturing escalating shares of investment in new capacity, infrastructure, 

manufacturing, and R&D, notably Brazil and India (REN21 2007). In comparison, only 

about $10 billion annually in global R&D investments is aimed at energy efficiency and 

carbon capture technologies (McKinsey 2008). According to New Energy Finance, global 

venture capital investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the first eight 

months of 2008 totaled approximately $24 billion. 

Sources of finance and investment for renewable energy are diverse, and private 

investment (both mainstream and venture capital) for proven technologies and those in 

development is increasing rapidly. Venture capital financing increased dramatically
 

during 2006/2007, with a focus on solar PV and biofuels, exceeding the $3 billion mark 

worldwide in 2006. The United States is the market leader in venture capital investment, 

contributing more than 60% of the world’s venture capital in renewables during 2006, 

49
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

$800 million of which was committed for biofuels alone, significantly aiding in the 

development and commercialization of the ethanol industry (REN21 2007). 

Private Investment Under Action Scenarios 

Table C-9 summarizes the scenarios reviewed by NREL for increased investment in 

renewable energy and energy efficiency resulting from concerted international action. 

Table C-9. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Investment Scenarios 

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Investment Scenarios 

Projected Total Global RE and 

Scenario EE Investment 

$45 trillion by 2050 (~ $1.1 

trillion/yr.) for all clean energy 

IEA Blue technologies with much of this 

investment to be directed towards 

energy efficiency and renewable 

energy 

McKinsey $170 billion/yr. just in energy 

efficiency investment 

In the IEA BLUE Map Scenario, it is projected that to reduce CO2 emissions to 50% 

below 2005 levels by 2050, the energy sector will require an investment of $45 trillion 

above baseline by 2050 ($1.1 trillion per year, or approximately 1.1% of global gross 

domestic product), with much of the funding directed toward demand-side investments. 

This figure translates into additional investments in the energy sector beyond those for 

CO2 reduction totaling $100-200 billion per year in the near term, increasing to $1-2 

trillion by 2030 and $2-5 trillion per year in 2050 (IEA 2008a). McKinsey estimates an 

annual investment of $170 billion between now and 2020 to reduce energy demand in 

2020 by 20-25%. 

Based on the above scenarios, NREL developed estimates of ranges for global increases 

in energy efficiency and renewable energy investment levels. These ranges are presented 

in Table C-10. The analysis assumes that the levels of clean energy investment ramp up 

over time and one-third to two-thirds (consistent with the IEA Blue Scenario and other 

similar scenarios) of the total clean energy investment from the IEA scenario goes to 

energy efficiency and renewable energy, and the remainder to nuclear, clean coal, and 

other clean energy technologies. 

Table C-10. RE and EE Global Investment Projections 

RE and EE Global Investment Projections 

2020 $300-600 billion/year 

2050 $600-1,200 billion/year 

50
 
 

 

 

Rural Electrification Impacts 

Rural Electrification Status and Baseline Projections 

Stable energy supplies are a prerequisite for economic development. More than onequarter of the world’s population (1.6 billion people) did not have access to electricity in 

their homes in 2002 (World Energy Outlook 2004) (Figure C-5). 

Source: United Nations Development Program Annual Report (2008) 

Figure C-5. People without electricity (millions, 2004) 

For example, more than 400 million people in India do not have access to electricity, and 

there is still limited access to clean burning fuels for cooking and space heating in rural 

China (although its rural electrification program has been very successful) (IEA 2007). 

Rural Electrification Under Action Scenarios 

The World Bank and others have determined that energy access is key to achieving the 

broad portfolio of Millennium Development Goals. They have set targets to reduce the 

global unelectrified population to fewer than 1 billion by 2015, and to have universal 

electricity access by 2030. Robust international clean energy cooperation can ensure that 

these goals are met and could accelerate achievement of nearly universal access to 

electricity by 2020. 

Quantifiable Benefits to the U.S. Economy 

Overview 

The previous discussion describes a wide range of opportunities and benefits for the 

United States from coordinated international action to promote clean energy technologies 

(CETs); however, not all of those benefits are readily quantified. This section describes a 

very circumscribed effort to estimate direct economic benefits to the United States. The 

51
 
 

 

 

 

analysis estimates net economic benefits to the United States from increased global CET 

use. It will quickly become apparent that this assessment can only be done very 

approximately. Accordingly, the results are expressed as ranges and although the range is 

wide, it still demonstrates that the direct economic benefits to the United States of 

expanded international CET cooperation would be significant. 

The estimated range of net economic benefits to the United States in 2020 is $30-80 

billion per year, and the corresponding range for 2050 is $100-$300 billion per year. 

These estimates include all the benefits resulting from global cooperation to accelerate 

CET use. These domestic benefits cannot be achieved through U.S. efforts alone. 

Because climate change is a global challenge, these benefits will be realized only through 

coordinated efforts across countries, with the private sector, and with international 

institutions. U.S. participation is necessary, but not sufficient. U.S. leadership in such an 

initiative will also play a key role in helping U.S. CET firms capitalize on the significant 

opportunities presented by an expanded global CET market. 

While this analysis considers only those benefits derived from international cooperation, 

strong U.S. international leadership will complement domestic public and private actions, 

which will be required for the United States to adapt to the fundamental shifts in the 

energy system. 

Framing the Problem

Scenarios 

The estimates described below were scaled by using the scenarios from the literature 

discussed above. The analysis combined the range of underlying trends described in those 

scenarios with economic forecasts and parameters to develop a range of economic 

benefits. 

Driving Forces 

In the scenarios mentioned above, the two key parameters, or “driving forces,” are central 

to the estimation of benefits: the increase in the size of the global CET market and the 

decrease in global demand for petroleum products.7 If the United States successfully 

captures some of the markets created by those two underlying changes, several types of 

benefits accrue to the U.S. economy as described in the next section. 

Estimating Benefits 

Nominal values8

 of the two key parameters are derived from the above scenarios as 

follows: Increased U.S. net CET exports are derived from the increased levels of global 

investment in CET. First, we estimate the fraction of that increased investment that will 

7

 In this discussion, all references to changes in variables refer to the difference between a “business as 

usual” scenario and an “ex ante” scenario that more aggressively pursues CET worldwide. For example, in 

many of the scenarios that we used to develop the ranges for the key parameters, the business as usual case 

represents current levels of climate mitigation and the ex ante case illustrates the CET and other actions 

necessary to achieve a specified carbon reduction goal.

8

 The discussion of nominal values makes it clear that estimating them incorporates considerable judgment 

and that their values are necessarily quite uncertain. We use the term “nominal values” because the analysis 

incorporates a range for all these uncertain parameters, which results in a range for the benefits estimates. 

52
 
 

 

occur outside the United States. That estimate represents the target market. Next, we 

estimate the fraction of that market that successfully positioned U.S. exporters could 

capture. 

The nominal value of the decrease in oil prices is estimated directly from the decrease in 

global petroleum demand. 

Sources of Benefits 

Benefits from Clean Energy Markets 

Both U.S. producers and consumers stand to benefit from significant global shifts toward 

clean energy technologies. The first impact comes through an increase in the export of 

CET products by U.S. producers. 

However, U.S. CET producers will benefit from increased sales overseas only if they are 

successful in positioning themselves in the global CET market. The importance of early 

and decisive actions to position U.S. industry in global markets cannot be overstated. The 

work by Paul Krugman (1991), for which he was awarded the 2008 Nobel prize in 

economics, describes one of the important ways countries that first enter a newly opened 

global market sector can develop significant and permanent cost advantages over later 

entrants. 

Consumers can benefit from enhanced efforts in CET markets through lower CET prices. 

The CET initiative is posited to include enhanced R&D efforts that will reduce 

technology costs and improve performance. In addition, increased production will reduce 

prices through the learning curve effect. Increased CET demand will create a 

countervailing trend toward higher prices. Although, on balance, we expect CET prices to 

decline in the ex ante case, the range of benefit estimates accounts for the possibility that 

prices might increase. 

Benefits from Reduced Global Petroleum Consumption 

Reduced petroleum consumption will ease pressure on oil markets and will tend to reduce 

prices. Reduced prices benefit U.S. consumers directly, both through their own petroleum 

consumption and by lowering the prices of transportation services and many other 

goods.9 

Benefits from International Trade 

Both increased CET net exports and reduced world oil prices will improve the United 

States’ trade balance. That improvement will increase the value of the dollar, which will 

provide economic benefits by reducing the price of imports to the United States.10 

9

 While it is also true that U.S. oil producers will be adversely affected by lower world oil prices, on 

balance the net effect to the U.S. economy is strongly positive. 

10 U.S. exporters of goods besides CET products may be adversely affected by a stronger dollar, which 

makes their exports more expensive overseas. The net economic benefit estimate takes this effect into 

account. 

53
 
 

 

Limitations and Uncertainty 

As mentioned above, the benefits estimated here are only those that can be readily 

quantified, and the resulting estimate omits a number of significant benefits mentioned in 

the paper. And although we can quantify the economic benefits, we can only develop a 

rough approximation. The estimates depend on a number of variables whose values are 

imperfectly known. Those parameters include market factors such as future oil prices and 

U.S. consumption, as well as future clean energy revenues and exports. The estimates 

also depend on economic parameters such as elasticities of supply and demand. Because 

the values of the parameters are uncertain, we have used ranges for them, rather than 

point estimates. The ranges for the inputs then determine the ranges for the output 

estimates. 

54
 
 

 

 

 

 

Appendix D. Examples of U.S. Government International 

Clean Energy Programs 

Table D-1. Examples of U.S. Government International Clean Energy Programs 

Program Type Program or Agency Programmatic Focus 

Interagency Climate 

Initiatives 

Major Economies Meetings 

Asia-Pacific Partnership 

State Department 

Meeting of 17 major economies to advance 

climate solutions 

Cooperation on renewable energy, and 

buildings and industrial efficiency with 

emphasis on China and India 

Lead for bilateral and multilateral energy 

agreements including UNFCCC negotiations, 

MEM process, APP, CSD, WIREC, and 

limited support to other initiatives, including 

REN21 

Technology 

Cooperation and 

Market 

Development 

DOE/EERE 

U.S. AID 

EPA 

USDA 

RE and EE market and technology 

cooperation with China, India, Brazil; R&D and 

analysis cooperation with EU countries, Israel, 

and others and through IEA agreements; 

Global RE and EE assessments 

Global Climate Change and Regional Energy 

Initiatives such as SARI/E, Empowering 

Development Program, and other 

energy/economic development activities led 

primarily by local USAID missions 

Voluntary programs such as Methane to 

Markets and ENERGY STAR have expanded 

their focus to working internationally; 

integrated environmental strategies and cobenefits analysis 

Biomass and rural energy cooperation with 

Brazil, China, India, and other countries 

Trade and 

Investment 

Commerce 

Treasury 

Export/Import Bank 

Overseas Private-Investment Corporation 

Trade Development Administration 

Supports trade missions and has energy 

representatives in several countries around 

the world 

Clean Technology Fund (not in place in FY08, 

proposed funding of $400M in FY09) and 

manages U.S. funding to the Global Energy 

Facility (~$80 million per year) 

Provides export finance products to renewable 

energy, water, and hydroelectric power 

projects 

Political risk insurance and other guarantees 

for U.S. firms in developing countries 

Project pre-feasibility studies 

55
 
 

 

 

 

Appendix E. Summary of Recommendations for 

International Clean Energy Initiatives from Other Studies 

and Forums 

National Commission on Energy Policy 

•	 Double federal expenditures for energy technology R&D. 

•	 Triple funding for international cooperation efforts. 

Energy Futures Coalition 

•	 Mobilize private-sector capital. 

•	 Establish global development bonds. 

•	 Create rural energy fund. 

•	 Provide extended term financing for export credit agencies. 

•	 Establish energy efficiency financing protocols. 

Presidential Climate Action Project 

•	 Reaffirm U.S. commitment to addressing climate change and to the Bali Action 

Plan. 

•	 Seek a bilateral agreement with China on technology cooperation and emissions 

reduction. 

•	 Review the priorities of the Asia-Pacific Partnership. 

•	 Decarbonize international development assistance programs. 

•	 Create an International Renewable Energy Agency; provide financing/technical 

assistance. 

•	 Assess impact of GHG emissions for developing world practices and 

technologies. 

•	 Promote “clean energy sovereignty to ensure that national GHG emission 

reduction policies are exempt from WTO challenges.”
 

•	 Negotiate a phase-out of subsidies for fossil fuels around the world. 

•	 Implement a carbon debit mechanism to ensure that lenders take account for 

carbon emissions of their projects. 

•	 Develop global roadmaps for a carbon-free, nuclear-free global energy economy. 

Better World Campaign. U.S. Global Leadership to Safeguard our Climate, 

Security, and Economy. Nigel Purvis (2008) 

•	 Advance international cooperation on research, development, and demonstration 

of advanced clean energy technologies, including: 

o	 Increased domestic R&D spending 

o	 Formation of international research partnerships to jointly fund research 

on key emerging technologies 

o	 Establish a consultative group on clean energy research to coordinate 

development of low-cost clean energy technologies for poor populations 

o	 Accelerate global use of energy efficiency, through improved standards 

and technical assistance to developing countries, and domestic action 

56
 
 

 

 

•	 Negotiate new international climate agreements and partnerships that result in 

timely and equitable action by all major emitting countries. 

•	 Team with the international community to expand economic incentives for
 

adoption of climate response technologies by developing countries.
 

Climate Choreography Paper (July 2008). Lewis Milford, Daniel Dutcher, and Todd 

Barker 

•	 Establish a global program to support distributed and open innovation on climate 

change technologies and implementation mechanisms at global, regional, and 

national levels and private-sector initiatives. 

International Climate Change Task Force. Stephen Byers and Olympia Snowe, (cochairs); Bob Carr, John P. Holdren, Martin Khor Kok-Peng, Nathalie KosciuskoMorizet, Claude Martin, Tony McMichael, Jonathon Porritt, Adair Turner, Ernst 

Ulrich von Weizsäcker. (January 2005). Meeting the Climate Challenge: 

Recommendations of the International Climate Change Taskforce. Institute for Public 

Policy Research, Center for American Progress, and Australia Institute. 

Recommendations for International Framework, post-Kyoto: 

•	 All G8 countries commit to a national RPS with a goal of at least 25% of
 

electricity from RE renewable energy by 2025;
 

•	 G8 countries should double spending on RD3

 for alternative technology, energy 

efficiency, and zero/low-carbon technology; 

•	 Partnerships should be facilitated between developed and developing countries; 

•	 The G8 countries should shift agricultural subsidies towards biofuel development; 

•	 All developed countries should develop a mandatory carbon emissions cap-andtrade system for the national level, with the end goal of integrating the national 

programs into a single, international cap-and-trade system; 

•	 Governments should begin phasing out subsidies to fossil fuels; and 

•	 Developed countries should increase financial and technical assistance to 

developing countries.
 

Bierbaum, R.; J. Holdren; M. MacCracken; R. H. Moss; P. H. Raven. UN 

Foundation & Sigma Xi. (2007). Confronting Climate Change: Avoiding the 

Unmanageable and Managing the Unavoidable. Scientific expert group report on 

climate change and sustainable development, prepared for the 15th session of the 

Commission on Sustainable Development. 

•	 Pursue solutions that can mitigate climate change and provide a more sustainable 

energy future by focusing on energy efficiency, transportation efficiency, and 

building efficiency; expand transportation biofuels development; and prevent 

negative land-use changes. 

•	 Aspire to triple or quadruple total investments in energy technology research, 

focusing on energy efficiency and clean energy technologies. Encourage privatepublic partnerships across multiple disciplines and national borders. 

57
 
 

 

Pew Center on Global Climate Change. (2005). International Climate Efforts Beyond 

2012: Report of the Climate Dialogue at Pocantico. 

Recommends a global climate framework under the UNFCCC that engages all major 

economies by allowing different types of commitments and could include the following 

elements: 

•	 An aspirational long term to drive and frame the international effort. 

•	 Stronger international support for adaptation, including new funding 

commitments to help highly vulnerable countries cope with urgent needs as well 

as support the development of comprehensive national adaptation strategies. 

•	 Emission targets and international emissions trading. 

•	 Sectoral approaches to reduce emissions from key greenhouse gas-generating 

sectors such as transportation, power, land use, and energy-intensive industries. 

•	 Policy-based approaches incorporating national policies that moderate emissions 

while advancing core economic, social, and development objectives. 

•	 Technology cooperation to advance research and development and to support 

deployment of climate-friendly technologies in developing countries. 

Testimony of Karan Bhatia, Vice President and Senior Counsel for General 

Electric, before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate 

(June 25, 2008). 

The United States should: 

•	 Be involved in providing assistance to developing countries in implementing 

policies that provide cleaner energy technology incentives. 

•	 Participate in multilateral funds to provide financial support for cleaner energy 

technology. 

•	 Promote the protection of intellectual property rights. 

•	 Promote reduction of trade barriers, which impact the trade of cleaner energy 

technology. 

•	 Promote cleaner energy technology exports. 

•	 Along with other governments, promote the creation of an international 

framework that provides long-term support for GHG reductions. 

•	 Advocate public-private partnerships in RD3

 of cleaner energy technology. 

•	 Renew national RE incentive programs. 

•	 Support the creation of international funds dedicated to providing assistance to 

developing countries in adapting to climate change. Such a fund should be 

technology-neutral and effectively leverage funding. 

A Call for Action – Consensus Principles and Recommendations from the U.S. 

Climate Action Partnership: A Business and NGO Partnership 

•	 The United States should engage in international cooperation with the goal of 

achieving GHG reduction commitments from all major emitting countries. 

•	 The post-2012 framework should include international GHG emissions markets, 

assistance strategies, and support for vulnerable populations; and increase support 

of climate-friendly technology, particularly in developing countries. 

58
 
 

 

 

 

 

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Pressing economic, energy security, and environmental concerns are driving rapid growth in global investments in 

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