The process of deploying new and commercially viable technologies to developing and emerging countries often confronts barriers in host countries. Sustainable energy development can be facilitated by a number of institutional and financial mechanisms that provide an enabling environment for investment, including: removal of regulatory or legal restrictions on foreign investment; protection of intellectual property rights and licenses; elimination of corruption; establishment of clear title and property rights to land and other assets that could be used as collateral to access capital markets; financial reforms that allow for specialized credit instruments, capital pools, and competitive national capital markets; and improved awareness and skills development on the operation and maintenance of advanced technologies.
Established at the 2002 Summit in Tokyo as the 2002-2003 e8 Chairmanship theme of the year, the Technology Diffusion Working Group will develop strategies to catalyze the diffusion of electric power technologies in promotion of sustainable energy development.
Major global environmental and social issues that affect the electric utility industry are considered to be the top priorities of the e8.
The issues of sustainable development, climate change, social trust, and internationalisation are the focus of the e8's actions.