Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity, and an environment which powers the world to thrive. Widespread energy poverty condemns billions to darkness, to ill health, and to missed opportunity for education and prosperity. Hence this poverty must end.
Development is not
possible without energy. And it is sustainable energy which will provide us
sustainable development. At Rio de
Janerio summit held in June 2012, the buzzwords were “Green Economy” and “Natural
Capital Accounting”. In a dynamic climate change field, concepts are changing
fast. From development to sustainable development and now our focus is Green
Economy.
Yet these buzzes are not
clearly defined. But they are in motion to get an acceptable shape. India
opposes green economy at summit. It said that the developing world’s concept of
a green economy was very different from the way it was being perceived at the
UN conference for sustainable development.
A new business model is
emerging. In this governments, business, investors and civil society organization
(CSO) come together to solve problems. Now, we need to build a new energy
future that harnesses the power of technology and innovations in the service of
people and the planet. We have to move
to renewable, so that we can create a future we want.
UN has initiated and
evolved a framework for action to realize the goal “sustainable energy for all
by 2030”. According to action plan,
stakeholders are supposed to take concrete actions towards achieving three
critical goals by 2030.
1. Ensuring universal access
to modern energy services.
2. Doubling the global rate of improvement in
energy efficiency.
3. Doubling the share of
renewable energy in the global energy mix.
Energy access is
increasingly seen as a vital catalyst to wider social and economic development,
enabling education, health, and sustainable agriculture and creating jobs.
Productive uses of energy are particularly important to enable local business
innovations and create a more vibrant economy for societies and countries.
According to IEA (international
energy agency) universal energy access could be achieve with an increase of
just 3 percent of global investment in energy infrastructure by 2030. This
amounts to an annual investment of $48 billion.
Energy efficiency objective will
increase global resource productivity. It will create new economic growth areas
with local job creation and increase the quality of life of all citizens.
Energy efficiency means reducing the losses and getting more done with the same
amount of energy. IEA’s World Outlook 2006 estimated that each additional $1
spent on energy efficiency in electrical equipment, appliances, and buildings
avoids more than $2, on average, energy supply investments.
Investing in renewable
energy also creates local jobs and growth and improves security for countries
that lack domestic fossil resources. Increasing the share of energy from
renewable sources can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutions,
insulate countries from fuel price volatility, and improve their balance of
payments.
UN
desires that all stakeholders converge to act upon to achieve its mission. It proposes that business, governments, CSO work together on specific and concrete steps
to bring greater investment and deployment of energy systems.
Direct UNIDO points out that charity is no more an option. The key is investment in renewable energy
alternatives. So that it yields returns
not just for the recipients but for the investor too. This doesn’t mean that
all subsidies can be done away with. These are necessary for helping the
poorest of the poor.
We need to work on
achieving a balance subsidy approach
that can create a level playing field so that the rich are no longer enjoying
subsidies meant for the poor. Therefore
rather than work for a blanket solution, we need to tailor strategy to suit
local imperatives and conditions
Heera Lal
(Writer is
Secretary UPNEDA but views are personal)
Ref:
2. http://www.sustainableenergyforall.org/resources
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