Renewable energy
New and renewable sources of energy have received a great deal of attention since the World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in Johannesburg in 2002. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power not only produce minimal carbon emissions once the generating systems are in place, they also help reduce poverty through improved energy access in underserved areas. Energy from renewable sources currently accounts for five percent of global energy supply.
Though the use of renewables is increasing faster than any other resource stream, widespread adoption is constrained by a multitude of policy, regulatory and financial barriers. Support for research and development, market incentives, and energy prices that fully reflect environmental and social costs may all contribute to take-up. One such initiative is the Clean Development Mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol, which provides financing for the diffusion of renewable energy technologies in developing countries.
DESA works with governments, at their request, on renewable energy policies and strategies at the national level. In China, assistance has been provided in the commercialization of renewable energy technologies; in small island developing States on the practical application of solar energy systems; and in Arab States for the strengthening of renewable-energy development capacities. With support from the Government of Iceland, DESA also organized an international seminar in 2006 to exchange experiences on the production and use of hydrogen from renewable energy sources.
Dialogue, research, analysis
- August 2007
- Report of the Secretary-General on the Promotion of new and renewable sources of energy (A/62/208)
- April 2007
- Case Studies of Market Transformation Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- March 2007
- Expert group meeting on small-scale production and use of liquid biofuels in sub-Saharan Africa
- September 2006
- International seminar on the hydrogen economy for sustainable development
Case studies 2007
Sustainable Hydropower Development: The Bersimis Complex
- Summary:
- The Bersimis hydroelectric complex comprises two jointly operated powerhouses, Bersimis-1 (1 125 MW) and Bersimis-2, a 845 MW run-of-river power station as well as a 42 km2 reservoir which were built ... Learn more
Facilitating Access to Finance for the Biodiesel Industry in Southern Africa
- Summary:
- Biodiesel is one of the preferred biofuel options in Africa because it is economically viable at small scales, draws on Africa's untapped agricultural potential, maximises employment benefits and it... Learn more
Development of a Sustainable Energy Policy Framework for Guatemala
- Summary:
- Guatemala has a General Electricity Law and an Incentive Law for electric energy generation with renewable energy resources, but it lacks a general energy policy directive framework. The objective of ... Learn more
Creating a Link between Energy Services and Income Generation, using Innovative Financing as a Catalyst
- Summary:
- SELCO is working with SEWA Bank in Gujarat and various financial institutions in the state of Karnataka to create a sustainable linkage between energy services and income generation. For energy servi... Learn more
Compiling RES Legislation for Kazakhstan
- Summary:
- The work builds directly from the UNDP/GEF/Government of Kazakhstan project titled Kazakhstan “Wind Power Market Development Initiative. This project will build upon the experience of other countrie... Learn more
Capacity Building in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Regulation and Policy-Making in Africa
- Summary:
- In recent years, most African governments have seen the setting up of energy sector regulatory institutions as part of broader reforming process aimed at improving the performance of their national ec... Learn more
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Policy and Action Plan of Liberia
- Summary:
- The project will formulate an RE & EE policy framework to induce investment and market development in the RE & EE sectors of Liberia.The project further intends to provide policy support to develop t... Learn more
Support for Establishing a Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Finance Facility in Brazil
- Summary:
- To meet environmental and energy goals, Brazil needs to establish more small-scale renewable and energy efficiency projects, an objective supported by the REEEP and its co-funding partners, the Blue M... Learn more
Case studies 2006
Aisha Solar Cooking Project
- Summary:
- In 1990, nearly 14,000 refugees from Somalia settled in Aisha refugee camp in a very arid region of eastern Ethiopia, putting a strain on the environment and reducing tree cover as they collected wood... Learn more
Trinidad and Tobago Pilot Solar Water Heating (SWH) Programme
- Summary:
- The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries has been able to get the cooperation of a number of private sector and public sector and public agencies including a key player in the oil and gas sector t... Learn more
Partnerships
Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century
- Lead Partner:
- REN21 Secretariat - REN21 Secretariat
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- REN21 is a global policy network that provides a forum for international leadership on renewable energy. Its goal is to bolster policy development for the rapid expansion of renewable energies in developing and industrialised economies. Open to a wide variety of dedicated stakeholders, REN21 connects governments, international institutions, non-governmental organisations, industry associations,... Learn more
Mediterranean Partnership for sustainable energy development (MEDITEP)
- Lead Partner:
- Observatoire Méditerranéen de l'Energie (OME)
- Geographical Scope:
- Regional
- Summary:
- The Southern Mediterranean region is facing high demographic and socio-economic development growths. In this context, energy demand is expected to increase. Presently, 83% of TPES in the region is satisfied by hydrocarbons. According to the OME BAU scenario, this will continue (annual increase of about 4.3% during 2005-2020). Consequently, CO2 emissions are expected to rise by 240% over the same p... Learn more
Pacific Islands Energy for Sustainable Development [PIESD]
- Lead Partner:
- Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) - South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC)
- Geographical Scope:
- Sub-regional Pacific
- Summary:
- The main objectives are: * Increased availability of adequate, affordable and environmentally sound energy for the sustainable development of all Pacific islanders. * Accelerate the transfer and adoption of clean and renewable energy technologies. * The partnership is to assist with the implementation of the Pacific Island Energy Policy (PIEP... Learn more.
International Solar Energy Society
- Lead Partner:
- International Solar Energy Society
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- ISES has been serving the needs of the renewable energy community since its founding in 1954. A UN-accredited NGO present in more than 50 countries, the Society supports its members in the advancement of renewable energy technology, implementation and education all over the world. Its goals include: * Towards a Sustainable World:Encouraging the use of Renewable Energy everywhere, through appr... Learn more
International Renewable Energy Alliance
- Lead Partner:
- International Solar Energy Society
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- The goal of IREA is to foster collaboration, removing market barriers, identifying and promoting successful implementation strategies, enhancing business conditions and developing markets. This is to be achieved by the provision of reliable and up to date facts and considerations for more informed decision making at all levels of national and international policy and to further the principles and... Learn more
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)
- Lead Partner:
- REEEP International Secretariat
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- Accelerate a global market for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Systems (REES). Tremendous financial resources from the private and public sector will be needed to meet developing and transition countries' future energy demand in a sustainable way. Obstacles prohibiting this development include a lack of reliable policies and regulatory measures, and the perceived high risk and low retu... Learn more
Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP)
- Lead Partner:
- Government of Japan - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. - Government of United States of America - U.S. Enivronmental Protection Agency (USEPA) - CLASP Secretariat - UNDP-GEF - United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) - United Nations Foundation (UNF)
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- Energy efficiency standards and labels (S&L) for appliances, equipment and lighting are the most cost-effective means to help countries limit energy demand while stimulating economic growth. The overall result of S&L is to reduce required investments in power plants and reduce fuel consumption for their operation with powerful economic gains (e.g., freeing up capital for investments in non-energy... Learn more
Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (NRG4SD)
- Lead Partner:
- Government of Spain - Government of the Basque Country - Nrg4SD Secretariat
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- Nrg4SD Network was formed by the 'regional governments' -understood as the largest and first level of political subdivision within an individual state represented at the UN but which is above de municipal level- that attended the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development, to share information and experience about sustainable development policy-making at the regional level of governance... Learn more.
Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP)
- Lead Partner:
- Government of Italy - (Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea); - United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome
- Geographical Scope:
- Global
- Summary:
- The purpose of the Global Bioenergy Partnership is to provide a mechanism for Partners to organize, coordinate and implement targeted international research, development, demonstration and commercial activities related to production, delivery, conversion and use of biomass for energy, with a particular focus on developing countries. GBEP also provides a forum for implementing effective policy fram... Learn more
Fostering Regional Energy Cooperation in APEC: Energy for Sustainable Development.
- Lead Partner:
- Government of Australia - Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources - Government of Mexico - Secretaria de Energia
- Geographical Scope:
- Regional
- Summary:
- The United Nations Economic and Social Councils notes that: 'Access to energy is crucial to economic and social development, and alleviation of poverty. Improving accessibility of energy implies finding ways and means by which energy services can be delivered reliably, affordably and in an environmentally sound and socially acceptable manner, particularly in meeting the energy requirements of dev... Learn more
