Blog: If you like a lot of wind farms in your country, join a club?

One of the most memorable theme tunes for a choccy biccy from my childhood goes something like this: “If you liiike a lot of choc-late on yer biscuit, join our […]

One of the most memorable theme tunes for a choccy biccy from my childhood goes something like this: “If you liiike a lot of choc-late on yer biscuit, join our club!”

Even if those bars have gone out of fashion I’ll never forget that nonsensical little ditty – and it came back to me this morning on discovering the news that the UK has itself joined a club – not for chocoholics though.

Switch chocolate with “wind farms”, biscuit with “country” and you’ve got yourself… The Renewables Club!

Led by Germany’s environmental minister Peter Altmaier, ten countries and a plus one have – ahem – clubbed together to promote the cause of green energy.

Ministers and “high-level representatives” from China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Morocco, South Africa, Tonga, UAE, the UK (and the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency or IRENA, of course) met in Berlin over the weekend to agree to, basically, keep promoting renewable energy.

I wonder what the gathered members will get up to? Perhaps like every good scout group they’ll get patches for every new achievement, a wind farm christened, solar farm opened, hydropower photo call attended.

Maybe they’ll swap stickers of their favourite wind installations or trade mini figurines of their preferred turbine designs, or squabble over the “best” country for renewable energy in between breaks for milk and cookies?

Maybe not – at the press conference Altmaier declared decisively, “As members of the Club we aim to lead by example… We in Germany do not stand alone with our Energiewende, but are a part of a strong group of leaders.” Next January they’re scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi for a spot of sun-bathing – I mean, solar energy supporting.

After all,  every club has to have a good day out for its members!

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