2012: The International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
Sustainability of development depends on sustainable energy & Environment
BY Dr. Purnima Sharma
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, recognizing that “…access to modern affordable energy services in developing countries is essential for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, and sustainable development, which would help to reduce poverty and to improve the conditions and standard of living for the majority of the world’s population.”
In response, the Secretary-General is undertaking action to support the Year
through a global initiative on Sustainable Energy for All. The initiative will mobilize action from governments, the private sector, and civil society partners globally. The Secretary-General has set three interlinked objectives for his initiative: ensuring universal access to modern energy services, doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The International Year of Sustainable Energy for All will provide a vital advocacy platform for raising awareness of the challenge.
Sustainable development is not possible without sustainable energy.
The key to both challenges is to provide sustainable energy for all – energy that is accessible, cleaner and more efficient.
Sustainable energy for all is an investment in our collective future.
through a global initiative on Sustainable Energy for All. The initiative will mobilize action from governments, the private sector, and civil society partners globally. The Secretary-General has set three interlinked objectives for his initiative: ensuring universal access to modern energy services, doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The International Year of Sustainable Energy for All will provide a vital advocacy platform for raising awareness of the challenge.
Sustainable development is not possible without sustainable energy.
One person in five on the planet still lacks access to electricity.
Twice that number, three billion people, rely on wood, coal, charcoal or
animal waste for cooking and heating. In today’s economy, this is
inequitable– a major barrier to eradicating poverty. In industrialized
countries the energy problem is one of waste and pollution, not
shortage. Throughout the world, inefficient energy use harms economic
productivity and energy-related emissions contribute significantly to
the dangerous warming of our planet. Climate change puts us all at risk,
but it hurts the poor first - and worst.
The key to both challenges is to provide sustainable energy for all – energy that is accessible, cleaner and more efficient.
Sustainable energy for all is an investment in our collective future.
Energy from renewable resources—wind, water, the sun, biomass and
geothermal energy—is inexhaustible and clean. Renewable energy currently
constitutes 15% of the global energy mix.
The
costs of technologies to capture that energy are rapidly falling and
becoming economically competitive with fossil fuels, while reducing the
risk of climate change. Investing in renewable energy creates jobs,
fosters economic growth, and improves energy security for countries that
lack domestic fossil fuel resources.
Increasing the share of energy from renewable sources can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution; insulate countries from fuel price volatility; and improve those countries' balance of payments.
Achieving the Secretary-General's objective of doubling that percentage by 2030 requires support from all sectors of society, including individuals.
Hydro, geothermal and bio-energy have long been competitive where resources are available, and wind and solar are also economically attractive in many locations.If supported by strong enabling policies at the public level and robust investment from the private sector, renewable energy could supply a much larger share of the world's energy by 2030.
Nearly 40% of the world's population rely on wood, coal, charcoal, or animal waste to cook their food breathing in toxic smoke that causes lung disease and kills nearly two million people a year, most of them women and children.
Electricity enables children to study after dark. It enables water to be pumped for crops, and foods and medicines to be refrigerated. Modern fuels for cooking and heating relieve women from the time-consuming drudgery and danger of traveling long distances to gather wood.
Without access to modern energy, it is not possible to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the eight-point global agenda adopted by the United Nations in 2000—whether reducing poverty, improving women's and children's health, or broadening the reach of education. Energy facilitates social and economic development, offering opportunity for improved lives and economic progress.
Replacing outdated cookstoves and open fires with modern energy services would save the lives of 800,000 children who die each year as a result of exposure to indoor smoke.
Through innovation in energy products and investment in deployment, businesses can create jobs and supply millions of people with the tools they need to make a better life. Policymakers can do their part to remove legal and regulatory barriers that stand in the way of business innovation and investments. Civil society groups can encourage governments to make more sustainable choices and provide community-based models of energy innovation.
Renewable energy products and services constitute a rapidly growing segment of the international marketplace
The
costs of technologies to capture that energy are rapidly falling and
becoming economically competitive with fossil fuels, while reducing the
risk of climate change. Investing in renewable energy creates jobs,
fosters economic growth, and improves energy security for countries that
lack domestic fossil fuel resources.Increasing the share of energy from renewable sources can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution; insulate countries from fuel price volatility; and improve those countries' balance of payments.
Achieving the Secretary-General's objective of doubling that percentage by 2030 requires support from all sectors of society, including individuals.
Renewable energy is becoming increasingly cost-competitive.
Investment in electricity from the wind, sun, waves and biomass grew to $187 billion last year, compared with $157 billion for natural gas, oil and coal.Total new investment in clean energy increased last year to $260 billion in 2011Some recent scenarios estimate that renewable will contribute more to a low-carbon energy supply by 2050 than nuclear power or fossil fuels using carbon capture and storage.
Hydro, geothermal and bio-energy have long been competitive where resources are available, and wind and solar are also economically attractive in many locations.If supported by strong enabling policies at the public level and robust investment from the private sector, renewable energy could supply a much larger share of the world's energy by 2030.
Sustainable development is not possible without sustainable energy
Nearly 40% of the world's population rely on wood, coal, charcoal, or animal waste to cook their food breathing in toxic smoke that causes lung disease and kills nearly two million people a year, most of them women and children.
Electricity enables children to study after dark. It enables water to be pumped for crops, and foods and medicines to be refrigerated. Modern fuels for cooking and heating relieve women from the time-consuming drudgery and danger of traveling long distances to gather wood.
Without access to modern energy, it is not possible to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the eight-point global agenda adopted by the United Nations in 2000—whether reducing poverty, improving women's and children's health, or broadening the reach of education. Energy facilitates social and economic development, offering opportunity for improved lives and economic progress.
Replacing outdated cookstoves and open fires with modern energy services would save the lives of 800,000 children who die each year as a result of exposure to indoor smoke.
Private-sector investment is key to building and serving those markets
Energy can be used to support businesses and achieve greater prosperity. A farmer who irrigates his fields can double the size of his crop, feed his family, and earn a living. A sewing machine and a light to work from at night can enable a woman to generate extra income for her family.Without sustainable energy, we will not meet the Millennium Development Goals.Greater prosperity means more disposable income and new markets for consumer goods.
Through innovation in energy products and investment in deployment, businesses can create jobs and supply millions of people with the tools they need to make a better life. Policymakers can do their part to remove legal and regulatory barriers that stand in the way of business innovation and investments. Civil society groups can encourage governments to make more sustainable choices and provide community-based models of energy innovation.
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