Cleaner fossil fuels
The development and widespread adoption of cleaner fossil fuel technology will help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and advance sustainable development in both developed and developing countries. For example, natural gas, which produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other fossil fuels, is abundantly available and is expected to play an increasingly important role in global energy markets.
Cleaner fossil fuel technologies are attractive because they are often both more efficient and less expensive. Incremental progress across the broad spectrum of cleaner fossil fuel technologies has resulted from intense research and development activities in response to environmental and economic concerns. Some of these technologies are now commercially available, but the implementation base of cleaner technology is still relatively small and may take decades to develop as older industrial installations are phased out.
The cost of new technology is often high in the early adoption phase, which poses a particular constraint for developing countries where access to equipment, infrastructure and skills may be lacking. Combating climate change through cleaner fossil fuel technology therefore calls for long-term collaboration between developed and developing nations, including through capacity-building and technology transfer.
DESA organizes international forums where experts meet to discuss national cleaner technology strategies that can lower production costs while also reducing the volume of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Dialogue, research, analysis
- November 2007
- Workshop on underground coal gasification technologies and sustainable energy development
- February 2006
- International symposium on natural gas and sustainable development
Partnership
U.S. Clean Energy Initiative
- Lead Partner:
- Government of United States of America - Department of State
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- The Clean Energy Initiative (CEI) is an umbrella energy partnership comprising U.S. activities in the Global Village Energy Partnership, Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles Partnership, Partnership for Clean Indoor Air, and Efficient Energy for Sustainable Development. Collectively, these components will increase access to modern energy services, promote clean transportation fuels, indoor cooking and heat... Learn more
LPG Challenge, The
- Lead Partner:
- World LP Gas Association (WLPGA) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- This initiative is designed to support the achievement of critical energy-related sustainable development goals, specifically poverty reduction, environmental protection, and economic growth. This partnership addresses concrete barriers to meeting the thermal energy needs (heating, cooking, and heat using productive processes) of rural and peri-urban populations in developing countries through ex... Learn more
Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles
- Lead Partner:
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Division of Policy Development and Law (DPDL)
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- The partners will work to: - Help developing countries to develop action plans to complete the elimination of leaded gasoline by end 2008 - Start to phase down sulfur in diesel and gasoline fuels, long-term objective to be 50 ppm and below -Concurrent with the aboveadopting cleaner vehicle requirements; - Support the development and adoption of cleaner fuel standards and clean vehicle requirem... Learn more
Sustainable Energy for Sustainable Development in the Caribbean
- Lead Partner:
- Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM)
- Geographical Scope:
- Regional
- Summary:
- A major source of economic pressure for the Caribbean Islands, with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago, is the cost of petroleum importation. Among the regions that scientists expect to be most adversely affected by the impacts of climate change and sea level rise, is the Caribbean. The major contributor to the GHG that drives climate change comes from the burning of fossil fuels like petroleum ... Learn more
Energy for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development
- Lead Partner:
- European Commission
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- Development Objectives: The Initiative aims to facilitate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people in extreme poverty and other MDGs by 2015, through the provision of adequate, affordable, sustainable energy services. This will be achieved within the context of beneficiary country driven activities. Immediate Objectives: Through the Initiative the EU pr... Learn more
