Modern forms of energy empower human beings in countless ways: by reducing drudgery, increasing productivity, transforming food, providing illumination, transporting water, fuelling transportation, powering industrial and agricultural processes, cooling or heating rooms, and facilitating electronic communications and computer operations, to name just some of them.
Given that they can so dramatically increase human capabilities and opportunities, adequate energy services are integral to poverty alleviation and environmentally sound social and economic development.
Conventional sources of and approaches to providing and using energy are not sustainable by this definition. They are linked to significant environmental, social, and health problems for people alive today and, in many cases, pose even greater threats to future generations.
While it is imperative to find ways to greatly expand energy services, especially to the two billion people who currently rely on traditional forms of energy as well as for generations to come, this expansion must be achieved in ways that are environmentally sound, as well as safe, affordable, convenient, reliable, and equitable.
This, in essence, is the challenge of energy-related policies for sustainable development.
It is an enormous challenge. Over the next 50 years, sustained economic growth will require energy services an order of magnitude larger than today, with most of the expansion in the parts of the developing world that are presently underserved. During this half century, protecting human health and the environment demands that energy systems generate much less pollution.
Taking the climate change threat seriously would require that carbon dioxide emissions be reduced by perhaps two-thirds compared to current levels. Furthermore, humanitarian and moral concerns dictate that modern forms of energy be made available to the one third of the world’s people who are struggling today to improve their lives without this advantage.
Yet accomplishing energy systems supporting sustainable development in this century is in fact possible, according to comprehensive research on the subject by leading energy and development experts. It can be achieved through improvements in the efficiency with which modern energy carriers are produced and used, coupled with a greater reliance on modern forms of renewable energy and cleaner utilization of fossil fuels using technologies now available or in the development stage.
However, these approaches are not being implemented widely enough to meet the needs of billions of people living today, nor are they taking hold quickly enough to safeguard the prospects for future generations. Without significant changes in policies that guide energy developments, the window of opportunity that is now open may well close down, and prospects for future generations will be dimmed.
Policy makers are struggling to understand how to intervene most effectively to widen access, stimulate technological innovation, attract private investment, and refocus regulation to advance the economic, social, and environmental objectives of sustainability. Regrettably, there are no simple blueprints that will work in all situations.
Increasing Globalization
Trade barriers are transformed and world trade is growing. The global economy is becoming more integrated through mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and the expansion of multinational companies. Multinational companies are playing an increasing role in fossil fuel production and distribution, gas and electric systems, and manufacturing of energy end-use technologies. As companies and markets become increasingly international, policy interventions will require coordinated action and harmonisation in order to be more effective.
Shifting Responsibilities for Governments.
The fact that market forces extend beyond national borders has made it more difficult for governments to raise taxes and still stay competitive globally. Government activities are increasingly moving toward rulemaking and monitoring the application of rules to ensure that markets work efficiently and advance social benefits.
Restructuring and Liberalization of Energy Markets.
All over the world, the allocation of materials and human and financial resources, as well as the selection of products and technologies, is increasingly done by private actors, and partially a function of market conditions. Many nations are corporatizing or privatizing formerly government-owned utilities and petroleum and natural gas companies, and introducing competition and new regulatory frameworks, in part to increase efficiency and attract private capital to the energy sector.
The Emerging Information Technology Revolution
The microelectronics revolution and its various ramifications are well known. The economic and structural transformations from the information age are likely to have far-reaching and difficult- to-predict structural consequences, including a more rapid decoupling of primary energy use from economic growth than we have witnessed to date. The Internet and related information technologies also offer tremendous potential in terms of transfer of technology, building capacity and raising awareness.
Greater Public Participation in Decision-Making
The freer flow of information and increasing globalization have been accompanied by a wave of democratization. Throughout the world large numbers of people without economic power are gaining political power. Local groups are becoming more involved in the decision-making processes and affecting public policy formulation.
Women are becoming more active in the political process. The growing inequities among and within countries are increasing potential for social disruptions and conflicts.
All these trends are likely to provide a growing impetus to keep sustainable development high on the political agenda. They also form an important part of the context for implementation of energy for sustainable development.
Source: United Nations Development Program
Joshua D. MosshartJoshua Mosshart
Joshua Daniel Mosshart
