Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), and his wife Priscilla joined Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), in launching an initiative dedicated to solving problems related to energy and climate change.
Mr. Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla joined the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, which is composed of global private investors committed to invest in new clean energy technologies.
In a message posted on his Facebook account, Mr. Zuckerberg wrote, “Solving the clean energy problem is an essential part of building a better world. We won’t be able to make meaningful progress on other challenges — like educating or connecting the world — without secure energy and a stable climate. Yet progress towards a sustainable energy system is too slow, and the current system doesn’t encourage the kind of innovation that will get us there faster.”
Zuckerberg hopes to encourage more partners
Mr. Zuckerberg added that the Breakthrough Energy Coalition will invest in ideas that have potential to transform the process of producing and using energy.
He is hoping to “encourage more partners to make innovation a priority in the fight against climate change” as the world leaders prepare for the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris this week.
Mr. Zuckerberg also stated that Facebook is already investing in renewable energy and clean energy at its facilities. He said, “We believe that building a positive future for the next generation also means investing in long term projects that companies and governments don’t fund. This is an important focus for us, and we’ll share more about it in the coming days.”
Accelerating the progress on clean energy
Mr. Gates said the main objective of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition is to accelerate the progress on clean energy. According to him, it is necessary to explore many different ways including inventing new approaches to achieve a zero-carbon energy future.
“I am optimistic that we can invent the tools we need to generate clean, affordable, reliable energy that will help the poorest improve their lives and also stop climate change. I hope even more governments and investors will join us,” said Mr. Gates.
He is confident that” private companies will ultimately develop energy breakthroughs, but their work will rely on the kind of basic research that only governments can fund.” Mr. Gates emphasized that both governments and private companies have a role to play.
