Responsible Energy for European Regions (REFER) is an initiative that aims to support the role Europe’s regions can play in climate protection by helping them develop and implement energy policies. REFER was set up by Frank Farnel, Director Global Communications & Public Affairs Europe (EMEA) - GE Energy. The initiative was formally launched in May 2009 by Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and Ricardo Cordoba, President of General Electric Energy (GE Energy) for Western Europe and Northern Africa.