As presented in the Introduction by the Secretariat, the REN21 Workshop in December 2006 had three tasks:

1. Analysis of past international policy efforts including IAP
2. Discussion of instruments and concepts
3. Development of recommendations

1. Analysis of past international policy efforts including IAP

The first part of the workshop revealed a great variety of RE policy developments and deployment efforts in different world regions and markets. The impact of international conferences and committments have been diverse.

In Germany, the conference had a tremendous impact on the public image and political recognition of renewable energy. Uwe Fritsche presented Status, Prospects and Challenges of Renewables in Germany in 2006. 

Per Ove Eikeland discussed the Drivers and Effects of Renewable Energy in the Nordic Energy System. In contrast to the difficult advancement within Norway, he highlighted the intentions of the Norwegian government to support financially sustainable energy in developing countries.

Looking at REN21 and the United States, Lakshman Guruswamy came to the conclusion that the IAP committments made by the US were actions the US would have implemented anyway. He pointed to the US participation in REN21 and other partnerships to demonstrate the significance of RE in US policy.

Hugo Altomonte painted a mixed picture of the RE development in Latin America and the Carribbean, two years after Bonn. Rapid advancement in the biofuel markets contrast with intricate development in the electricity market.

Claudia do Valle gave a deeper insight into Renewable Energy Policy in Brazil, the 'reference country' for biofuels, where wind and other new renewable sources follow a sinuous path.

Fernando Alvarado presented an up-date on Renewable Energy in Central America, with Costa Rica as leading example.

Ibrahim Togola looked into Renewable Energy in West Africa, elaborating on experience in RE for rural development and the impediments met by RE.

Finally, Mika Ohbayashi gave an account of Renewables  in Japan 2006, where the meager efforts of the central government and the electricity industry are being complemented by municipal and civil society projects.

From the country and regional reports, lessons on effectiveness of commitments could be taken to the second part of the worshop, the discussion of instruments:


2. Instruments and concepts

The REN21 Secretariat presented the results of the follow-up of the IAP. This was followed by a presentation on the suggested Global Renewable Energy Review Arrangement by the JREC Secretariat, and the presentation by IEA Renewable Energy Unit of the IEA Renewable Energy Policy Analysis.

Finally, Adrian Bradbrook discussed International Initiatives to Promote Renewable Energy in general. He sustained the great importance of the international meetings and commitmnets as part of a process.

Workshop facilitator Paul Hohnen contributed with a number of ideas, which were incorporated into the workshop summary.


3. Recommendations

During the course of the workshop a rich set of ideas have been compiled, and recommendations made for future international renewable energy policy making.