Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Major Economies Forum?
- What is the Global Partnership?
- Who is involved in the MEF?
- How can I find out more about the MEF?
What is the Major Economies Forum?
The Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) was launched on March 28, 2009 as a partnership of 17 major economies. The MEF is intended to facilitate a candid dialogue among major developed and developing economies, help generate the political leadership necessary to achieve a successful outcome at the December 2009 UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, and advance the exploration of concrete initiatives and joint ventures that increase the supply of clean energy while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
What is the Global Partnership?
The MEF has established a Global Partnership to drive transformational low-carbon, climate-friendly technologies. The Global Partnership will dramatically increase and coordinate public sector investments in research, development, and demonstration of these technologies, with a view to doubling such investments by 2015, while recognizing the importance of private investment, public-private partnerships and international cooperation, including regional innovation centers. Drawing on global best practice policies, the Partnership will undertake to remove barriers, establish incentives, enhance capacity-building, and implement appropriate measures to aggressively accelerate deployment and transfer of key existing and new low-carbon technologies, in accordance with national circumstances. The Global Partnership will advance actions on: advanced vehicles; bioenergy; carbon capture, use and storage; cross-cutting R&D; energy efficiency in buildings; energy efficiency in industry; high-efficiency and low-emissions coal technologies; marine energy; smart grids; solar energy; and wind energy.
Who is involved in the MEF?
The 17 major economies participating in the MEF are: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Denmark, in its capacity as the President of the December 2009 Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the United Nations have also been invited to participate in this dialogue in 2009.
How can I find out more about the MEF?
Please visit www.majoreconomiesforum.org for more information. If you have specific questions, please e-mail the Secretariat at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .