ANNUAL ENERGY
CONSUMPTION |
Economic |
Chapter 4 |
Driving Force |
1. Indicator
(a) Name: Annual energy consumption per
capita.
(b) Brief Definition: The amount of energy - liquid, solid, gaseous
or electricity - used by an individual in a given year in a given
geographical area.
(c) Unit of Measurement: Gigajoules.
2. Placement in Framework
(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing
Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: Driving Force.
3. Significance (Policy Relevance)
(a) Purpose: The purpose of this indicator
is to measure energy consumption.
(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable
Development: Energy use is a key aspect of consumption and production.
Traditionally energy has been regarded as the engine of economic progress.
However, its production, use, and byproducts have resulted in major
impacts on the environment. The decoupling of energy use from development
represents a major challenge of sustainable development. The long term aim
is for development and prosperity to continue through gains in energy
efficiency rather than increased production.
(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: This
indicator is closely linked with many other economic and environmental
indicators, such as population growth, transport fuel consumption,
environmentally adjusted domestic product, proven energy reserves,
consumption of renewable to non-renewable energy resources, land use
change, energy use in agriculture, emissions of greenhouse gases,
production of ozone depleting substances, generation of waste, etc.
(d) Targets: Not available.
(e) International Conventions and Agreements:
Not available.
4. Methodological Description and Underlying
Definitions
(a) Underlying Definitions and Concepts: The
elements comprising this indicator are production, population and
consumption data. The data on production refer to the first stage of
production. For example, for hard coal the data refer to mine production;
for crude petroleum and natural gas, to production at oil and gas wells
and processing plants; for electricity to the gross production of
generating plants. The data on consumption refer to "apparent
consumption" and are derived from the formula which takes into
account production, imports, exports, and stock changes.
(b) Measurement Methods: This indicator is
computed by calculating the ratio of consumption of energy in a specific
area/country/region to the population in that area/country/region.
(c) The Indicator in the DSR Framework: This
indicator represents a major Driving Force within the economy.
(d) Limitations of the Indicator: Since this
indicator is calculated by the aggregation of different consumption data
within an area/country/region it may not accurately measure variations in
the rates of consumption within that area/country/region. This can lead to
invalid calculations and interpretations, and mis-allocation of resources.
The indicator is not as sensitive a measure of energy intensity and
efficiency as some others, for example environmentally adjusted domestic
product.
(e) Alternative Indicator Definitions:
Disaggregation of the indicator into sectoral components such as
agriculture or manufacturing, would permit assessment of energy
requirements per unit of output. On the other hand, total energy
consumption, provides a more direct measure of production patterns and the
implications for the environment, while energy consumption as per unit of
Gross Domestic Product provides a better reflection of energy efficiency.
5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from
National and International Sources
Energy commodity data for production and
consumption, and population data are regularly available for most
countries at the national level; and for some countries, at the
sub-national level. Both types of data are compiled by and available from
national statistical offices and country publications.
6. Agencies Involved in Development of Indicator
(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the
United Nations Statistical Division, department of Economics and Social
Information and Policy Analysis (DESIPA). The contact point is the
Director, Statistics Division, DESIPA; fax no. (1 212) 963 9851.
(b) Other Organizations: Other organizations
involved in the indicator development include: national statistical
offices, the International Energy Agency, the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development ( OECD), and Eurostat.
7. Further Information
United Nations. Energy Statistics Yearbook.
SHARE OF
NATURAL-RESOURCE INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES IN MANUFACTURING VALUE-ADDED |
Economic |
Chapter 4 |
Driving Force |
1. Indicator
(a) Name: Share of natural-resource
intensive industries in manufacturing value-added.
(b) Brief Definition: Percentage share of the contribution to
manufacturing value-added of those industries that are intensive in the
use of non-renewable natural resources.
(c) Unit of Measurement: %.
2. Placement in the Framework
(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing
Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: Driving Force.
3. Significance (Policy Relevance)
(a) Purpose: The indicator is meant to
represent the potential impact of the sub-sectoral structure of industrial
production on the depletion of non-renewable resources. It can be expected
to capture a large portion of this impact, although the complexity of the
structure of natural-resource inputs (direct and indirect) to industrial
production prevents any such indicator from being an ideal measure of
sustainable development.
(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable
Development: The absorption of non-renewable resources in the world
economy is an important aspect of sustainable development. This absorption
is driven by three major factors: (i) the patterns of final demand for
goods which largely determine the derived demand for resources; (ii) the
supply response to this demand, reflected in countries' sub-sectoral
patterns of production and trade, which in turn, are largely determined by
comparative-advantage factors; and (iii) production technology which is an
important determinant of the resource intensity of the production of each
component sector of an economy. The proposed indicator is intended to
capture the structural element of point (ii) above at the country level,
where its scope is restricted to the manufacturing sector. The
interpretation of the proposed indicator is clear. Relatively low values
of or reductions in the above share are favourable to the natural resource
aspect of sustainable development of a particular country.
(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: The
present indicator is closely linked to indicators dealing with the
development of the economy and the use of non-renewable natural resources,
including depletion of mineral resources, proven mineral and energy
reserves. It has more general links to other socioeconomic and
environmental indicators, such as generation of industrial waste.
(d) Targets: There are no specified targets
established for this indicator.
(e) International Conventions and Agreements:
There are no international conventions/agreements relating to the
indicator (see section 3d above).
4. Methodological Description and Underlying
Definitions
(a) Underlying Definitions and Concepts: The
definitional elements of the indicator are: (i) value-added of the entire
manufacturing sector; and (ii) value-added of those industries within
manufacturing that are particularly intensive in the direct use of
non-renewable resources. The first element is a standard variable in
industrial statistics. For the second element, the following industries
are relevant (International Standard Industrial Classification codes are
given in parentheses): petroleum refineries (ISIC 353); manufacture of
miscellaneous products of petroleum and coal (ISIC 354); iron and steel
basic industries (ISIC 371); and non-ferrous metal basic industries (ISIC
372). The concepts involved in the definitions of these elements are
available in standard documentation on industrial statistics (see section
7 below).
(b) Measurement Methods: Since the indicator
is based on detailed industrial statistics, measurement is standard as
described in the documentation of general industrial statistics (see
references in section 7 below).
(c) The Indicator in the DSR Framework: The
indicator is generally characterized as a Driving Force measure of
natural-resource intensity within a country's industrial production.
(d) Limitations of the Indicator: At least
four types of limitations arise with the present formulation of the
indicator: (i) in the present version, only direct inputs of natural
resources to industrial sub-sectors are considered, while all indirect
inputs are disregarded; (ii) the concept of natural resources is confined
to non-renewable ones; (iii) only broad definitions are applied in the
description of natural-resource intensive industrial sub-sectors; and (iv)
the indicator does not discriminate between domestically produced and
imported natural-resource inputs.
5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from
International and National Sources
(a) Data Needed to Compile the Indicator:
Only general industrial statistics are needed to compile the indicator.
(b) Data Availability: The data described
under 4a above are available at the national level for most countries on a
regular basis and in a form that allows for meaningful international
comparisons.
(c) Data Sources: The primary source for
internationally comparable time-series data is the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Industrial Statistics
Database. The most recent country information can usually be obtained from
national statistical institutions.
6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the
Indicator
The lead agency is the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO). The contact point is the Chief,
Industrial Statistics Branch, Information and Research Division, UNIDO;
fax no. (43 1) 232 156.
7. Further Information
(a) Further Readings:
International Standard Industrial Classification of
All Economic Activities. Statistical Papers, Series M, No.4/Rev.2. United
Nations Publication, Sales No. E.68.XVII.8.
International Recommendations for Industrial
Statistics. Statistical Papers, Series M, No. 48/Rev.1 United Nations
Publication, Sales No.E.83.XVII.8.
Industrial Statistics for Research Purposes -
Methodology Applied in the Development and Maintenance of the UNIDO
Industrial Statistics Data Base. UNIDO/PPD.192.
(b) Other References:
Hammond, Allen, et al. Environmental Indicators: A
Systematic Approach to Measuring and Reporting on Environmental Policy
Performance in the Context of Sustainable Development, (Chapter VI and
Appendix I). World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C. 1995.
(c) Status of the Methodology:
The methodology for general industrial statistics
relevant to the present indicator has been agreed to by numerous
intergovernmental fora.
PROVEN MINERAL
RESERVES |
Economic |
Chapter 4 |
State |
1. Indicator
(a) Name: Proven mineral reserves.
(b) Brief Definition: Orebodies or deposits economically viable for
extraction which have been sampled sufficiently enough to make reliable
estimates of spatial extent, tonnage, and average grade.
(c) Unit of Measurement: Tons.
2. Placement in the Framework
(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing
Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.
(Indicator under development)
PROVEN FOSSIL
FUEL ENERGY RESERVES |
Economic |
Chapter 4 |
State |
1. Indicator
(a) Name: Proven fossil fuel energy
reserves.
(b) Brief Definition: Proven fossil fuel energy reserves are
generally defined as those quantities which geologic and engineering
information indicate can be recovered with reasonable certainty in the
future from known energy resources under existing economic and technical
conditions.
(c) Unit of Measurement: Oil equivalent.
2. Placement in the Framework
(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing
Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.
3. Significance (Policy Relevance)
(a) Purpose: The purpose of the indicator is
to measure availability of fossil fuel energy resources.
(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable
Development: Energy is a key aspect of consumption and production.
This indicator provides a basis for estimating future energy supplies
enabling proactive decision making to ensure the efficient use of these
resources over the longer term. Proven energy reserves represents a basic
stock from which governments can use to attain higher levels of
sustainable development.
(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: Interpretation
of this indicator is enhanced when combined with annual energy production,
annual energy consumption per capita, and lifetime of proven energy
reserves.
(d) Targets: Not available.
(e) International Conventions and Agreements:
Not available.
4. Methodological Description and Underlying
Definitions
Annual Production is the production of a commodity
in a specified year. Proved amount in place is the tonnage that has been
both carefully measured and assessed as exploitable under present and
expected local economic conditions with existing available technology.
Proved recoverable reserves are the tonnage of proved amount in place that
can be recovered (extracted from the earth in raw form) under present and
expected local economic conditions with existing available technology.
Estimated additional amount in place is the indicated and inferred tonnage
additional to the proved amount in place. The estimates are based on the
results of geological and exploratory information about an area or on
evidence of duplication or parallelism of geological conditions that occur
in known deposits. Deposits, the existence of which is merely speculative,
are not included. Estimated additional reserves recoverable is the
quantity of the estimated additional amount in place which might become
recoverable within foreseeable economic and technological limits.
Reserves/production ratio (R/P) is computed by dividing proven energy
reserves of a commodity at the end of a year by the total production of
that commodity in that year.
5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from
International and National Sources
To compile this indicator data are needed on a
country basis. Available sources are national statistical offices and
publications.
6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the
Indicator
(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the
United Nations Department of Economics and Social Information and Policy
Analysis. The contact point is the Director, Statistics Division, DESIPA;
fax no. (1 212) 963 9851.
(b) Other Organizations: The agencies
involved in the development of this indicator are the World Energy Council
(WEC), the World Petroleum Congress (WPC) and the International Gas Union
(IGU).
7. Further Information
World Energy Council.. Survey of Energy Resources.
Annual Publication.
LIFETIME OF
PROVEN ENERGY RESERVES |
Economic |
Chapter 4 |
State |
1. Indicator
(a) Name: Lifetime of proven energy
reserves.
(b) Brief Definition: Lifetime of proven
energy reserves, known as the production life index, is the ratio of
energy reserves remaining at the end of any year to the production of
energy in that year.
(c) Unit of Measurement: Years.
2. Placement in the Framework
(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing
Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.
3. Significance (Policy Relevance)
(a) Purpose: This indicator provides an
indication of the length of time that proven reserves would last if
production were to continue at current levels.
(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable
Development: Energy is a key aspect of consumption and production.
This indicator provides a basis for estimating future energy supplies
enabling proactive decision making to ensure the efficient use of these
resources over the longer term. Lifetime of proven energy reserves
represents a basic stock indicator which governments and the private
sector can use in decision making to attain higher levels of sustainable
development. However, it is important to note different views on resource
scarcity as they apply to the interpretation of this indicator. One view
emphasizes the use of these scarce resources and their environmental
pollution consequences. The other view stresses the movement and changing
appearance of energy stocks, emphasizing substitution and material
recuperation.
(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: Interpretation
of this indicator is enhanced when combined with annual energy production,
proven fossil fuel energy reserves, intensity of material use, annual
energy consumption per capita, and waste recycling rate.
(d) Targets: Not available.
(e) International Conventions and Agreements:
Not available.
4. Methodological Description and Underlying
Definitions
Proven Energy Reserves are generally defined as
those quantities which geologic and engineering information indicate with
reasonable certainty can be recovered in the future from known energy
resources under existing economic and technical conditions. The
reserves/production ratio (R/P) is computed by dividing proven energy
reserves of a commodity at the end of a year by the total production of
that commodity in that year.
The depletion rate or potential reserves provide
alternative measures for this indicator. The rate of use of energy
reserves is very dependent on economic conditions. In addition, the
indicator cannot take account of unproven resources, or those not
currently unavailable due to technology or economic limitations.
5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from
International and National Sources
Data on production and proven energy reserves are
used to compile this indicator. While data on production on a country
basis are available on a regular basis from various sources, data on
proven energy reserves are only available from the annual publication
Survey of Energy Resources by the World Energy Council and are subject to
frequent revision.
6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the
Indicator
(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the
United Nations Department of Economics and Social Information and Policy
Analysis. The contact point is the Director, Statistics Division, DESIPA;
fax no. (1 212) 963 9851.
(b) Other Organizations: The World Energy
Council (WEC) has been associated with the development of this indicator.
7. Further Information
World Energy Council. Survey of Energy Resources.
United Nations. Energy Statistics Yearbook.
INTENSITY OF
MATERIAL USE |
Economic |
Chapter 4 |
State |
1. Indicator
(a) Name: Intensity of material use.
(b) Brief Definition: This indicator is defined as the consumption
volume of primary and secondary materials per unit of real Gross Domestic
Product (GDP). It is calculated for one commodity at the country level.
(c) Unit of Measurement: kg/tons/m3 per $1 000 US.
2. Placement in the Framework
(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing
Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.
3. Significance (Policy Relevance)
(a) Purpose: The intensity of material use
provides a good indication of long-terms trends in changing consumption
patterns of the key non-fuel, non-renewable natural materials.
(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable
Development: The proposed indicator is relevant to sustainable
development as it documents total material consumption trends as well as
changes in consumption patterns. Declining intensity of material use
implies a lower use of non-renewable materials. Conversely, increasing
intensity of material use does not necessarily imply a higher use of
non-renewable resources. The four-component structure of the indicator
(primary material use, consumption of secondary material, changes in
stocks, and consumption of material embodied in imported products), allows
an analysis of consumption of recovered versus virgin resources.
The indicator comprises consumption of primary and
secondary materials, changes in stocks as well as materials contained in
the most important imported and exported material; and the intensive
semi-fabricates and manufactures. This would bring the indicator very
close to measuring real material absorption of an economy. Per-capita
consumption volume of the materials in question would be measured as a
supplement facilitating the interpretation of intensity of use trends.
The indicator can also be used as a proxy for
assessing industrial pollution at the national level. In the US, for
example, it is estimated that material-intensive industries account for
about 70% of total air and water pollution. Coefficients of
throughput/pollution ratios can be used for this calculation although it
might be difficult to mirror exactly the dynamics of these coefficients in
the wake of technological change.
(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: This
indicator is closely linked to other indicators which measure the stage of
economic development such as share of manufacturing value-added to Gross
Domestic Product (GDP), and investment share in GDP.
(d) Targets: Not available.
(e) International Conventions and Agreements:
Not available.
4. Methodological Description and Underlying
Definitions
Based on the data base on minerals and metals from
the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD),
consumption volume of primary and secondary material per country can be
estimated. These figures are then adjusted by (i) changes in stocks of
producers, traders and manufacturers, and (ii) the volume of material
contained in net trade in material-intensive semi-fabricates and
manufactures. The calculated volume of material consumption is thus put in
relation to real GDP in order to compute material consumption per unit of
product. Intensity of use figures can be broken down into intensity of use
of primary versus secondary materials.
It is problematic to correctly estimate the
consumption of secondary materials, changes in stocks and the material
contained in traded semi-fabricates and manufactures. As far as the latter
is concerned, conversion factors of material content are being compiled
and regularly updated to take account of changing trends in manufacturing
technologies. Country and regional differences in this regard are however
very difficult to reflect.
5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from
International and National Sources
Most of the required consumption and trade data are
available in UNCTAD's own data base on minerals and metals. Information on
consumption of secondary materials is incomplete but can be estimated with
a reasonable degree of accuracy. Data on changes in stocks, in particular
at the level of traders and manufacturers, are scant, although some
reasonable estimates can be made. Conversion factors on material content
of semi-fabricates are being compiled and regularly updated in
collaboration with various industry associations. Information in this
regard, however, is often incomplete, not representative, or too general.
The analysis of the use of some 20 commodities per
unit of GDP at the country level is currently being reconducted. The
purpose is to update the results of the 1991 survey, and to place emphasis
on the analysis of consumption trends of primary versus secondary
materials.
6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the
Indicator
(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTD). The contact
point is the Coordinator, Sustainable Development, UNCTD; fax no. (41 22)
907 0047.
(b) Other Organizations: Eurostat, the World
Resources Institute, and the Wuppertal Institute on Climate, Environment
and Energy have contributed to the development of this indicator.
7. Further Information
(a) Further Readings:
Eurostat. Primary Material Balances.
Ndiaye, D. Statistical Study on the Consumption of
Metals. Centre d'Economie des Ressources Naturelles, Ecole Nationale Supérieure
des Mines de Paris. Paris, 1991.
World Resources Institute. World Resources 1994-95,
part IV, Chapter 21, 1995.
(b) Other References:
Behrensmeier, R. and S. Bringezu. On the
Methodology of Analysing Macro-economic Material Intensity. Wuppertal
Institute on Climate, Environment and Energy, Wuppertal Papers, No. 34,
April 1995.
Hammond, Allen, et al. Environmental Indicators: A
Systematic Approach to Measuring and Reporting on Environmental Policy
Performance in the Context of Sustainable Development, (Chapter VI and
Appendix I). World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C., 1995.
Hoffmann, U and D. Zivkovic. Demand Growth for
Industrial Raw Materials and its Determinants: An Analysis for the Period
1965-1988. UNCTAD Discussion Papers, No. 50, Geneva, November 1992.
SHARE OF
MANUFACTURING VALUE-ADDED IN GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT |
Economic |
Chapter 4 |
State |
1. Indicator
(a) Name: Share of manufacturing value-added
in gross domestic product.
(b) Brief Definition: This indicator measures the contribution of
the manufacturing sector in total production. It is obtained by devising
the value added in manufacturing by the total gross value-added to GDP at
basic or producers' prices.
(c) Unit of Measurement: %.
2. Placement in the Framework
(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing
Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.
3. Significance (Policy Relevance)
(a) Purpose: The manufacturing sector is a
major structural component of total economic activity, together with
mining, construction, utilities, natural resources, and services. The
relative size of manufacturing is a significant indicator of the state of
the economy. It also hints at basic driving forces associated with
sustainable development.
(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable
Development: As a key economic activity, manufacturing production has
been used as a growth determinant, reflecting the stage of country
development in terms of availability of human resources and capital, both
essential requirements in the drive towards sustainable development.
Manufacturing depends largely on the development of skills and equipment.
Manufacturing activities also draw from a wide range of resources and raw
materials and, like them, may deplete and degrade natural assets, for
example, air, water, trees. The development of manufacturing sector is
seen as a key indicator of sustainable development progress by many
developing countries.
(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: This
indicator is closely related to other economic and environmental
indicators reflecting the level of development and use of natural
resources, such as share of natural resource intensive industries in
manufacturing, depletion of mineral resources, and share of manufacturing
in exports. In developing countries it may also be linked to indicators
reflecting international cooperation and per capita income.
(d) Targets: National targets for the share
of manufacturing to GDP, including the other industrial activities of the
economy, are usually included in policy making as a basis for budgets,
funding programmes, and for priority-setting exercises.
(e) International Conventions and Agreements:
Not available.
4. Methodological Description and Underlying
Definitions
Data on manufacturing value-added are presently
compiled in accordance with the UN International Standard Industrial
Classification (ISIC) Revision 3. It is derived as a percentage of the sum
of total value added of all production units including all taxes and
subsidies on products which are not included in the valuation of output.
For the purpose of the indicator, it is important that reporting uses a
constant price time series. The indicator is regarded as a measure of the
State of the development of the economy. Alternative indicators could
focus on other major components of a country's economy, such as the share
of mining, natural resources, agriculture, or the service sector to GDP.
5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from
International and National Sources
This indicator has no serious limitations because
data on manufacturing activities in the System of National Accounts (SNA)
are guided by the framework recommended in the ISIC, and are generally
coherent between countries. Furthermore, most information is regularly
available and reliable for the majority of countries.
Data on manufacturing value-added and GDP are
generally reported by national statistical offices or central banks to the
UN National Accounts questionnaire. These are supplemented by estimates
prepared by the United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD), as well as
other international organizations such as the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF). These estimates are largely based on
indicators of production of principal manufacturing commodities obtained
either from national sources or the United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO). The latter compiles country time series for both
manufacturing value-added and GDP. When using both UNSO and UNIDO data it
is important to keep in mind the differences in measurement concepts
between data derived from national accounts and industrial statistics.
6. Agencies involved in the development of the
Indicator:
The lead agency for the development of this
indicator is the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The contact point is the Chief, Industrial Statistics Branch, Information
and Research Division, UNIDO; fax no. (43 1) 232 156. As the official
compiler of national accounts statistics, the United Nations Statistical
Division could also be a principal contact point in terms of SNA and ISIC
references.
7. Further Information
Further details on the conceptual definition of
GDP are contained in the SNA. National account statistics are published in
the series National Accounts Statistics: Main Aggregates and Detailed
Tables. The classification of manufacturing industries is covered in the
UN International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic
Activities, Revision 3. Concepts and definitions are in accordance with
the international Recommendations for Industrial Statistics, published by
the United Nations.
SHARE OF
CONSUMPTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES |
Economic |
Chapter 4 |
State |
1. Indicator
(a) Name: Share of consumption of renewable
energy resources.
(b) Brief Definition: The consumption of renewable energy resources
as a ratio of total energy consumption.
(c) Unit of Measurement: %.
2. Placement in the Framework
(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing
Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.
3. Significance (Policy Relevance)
(a) Purpose: This indicator measures the
proportion of energy mix between renewable and non-renewable energy
resources.
(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable
Development: Energy is a key aspect of consumption and production.
Dependence on non-renewable resources can be regarded as unsustainable in
the long term. New reserves of fossil energy may be discovered, but
economics may exclude their use. Renewable resources, on the other hand,
can supply energy continuously under sustainable management practices. The
ratio of non-renewable to renewable energy resources represents a measure
of a country's sustainability.
(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: Interpretation
of this indicator is enhanced when combined with annual energy production,
annual energy consumption per capita, and lifetime of proven energy
reserves. It is also closely linked to some of the environmental
indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions.
(d) Targets: Not available.
(e) International Conventions and Agreements:
Not available.
4. Methodological Description and Underlying
Definitions
The elements comprising this indicator are
renewable resources, non-renewable resources, and consumption. Renewable
resources refers to "energy collected from current ambient energy
flows or from substances derived from them." This definition includes
energy derived from the combustion of biomass, which refers to any plant
matter used directly as fuel or converted into fuels or electricity and/or
heat (Energy Statistics Working Group, OECD 7-8 December 1993, Paris).
Renewable energy sources are biofuels (fuelwood, charcoal, bagasse, peat,
industrial wastes and municipal wastes) and electricity derived from solar
power, wind power, wave power, hydro power, geothermal aquifers, and
nuclear power. Non-Renewable resources refers to fossil fuels: solids,
liquids and gases. Consumption refers to "apparent consumption",
derived from the formula "primary production + imports - exports -
bunkers - (+/-) stock changes."
This indicator is computed by calculating the ratio
of consumption of a renewable resource over total energy consumption.
Generally, the use of renewable energy resources is shown as not cost-
effective; further, because of the various forms of renewable and their
uses, data collection is difficult.
5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from
International and National Sources
Data on renewable and non-renewable resources are
available from national statistical offices and country publications.
6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the
Indicator
(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the
United Nations Department of Economics and Social Information and Policy
Analysis. The contact point is the Director, Statistics Division, DESIPA;
fax no. (1 212) 963 9851.
(b) Other Organizations: The agencies
involved in the development of this indicator are the World Energy Council
(WEC), the International Energy Agency, the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD), Eurostat, and the Economic Commission
for Europe.
7. Further Information
World Energy Council. Survey of Energy Resources.
Annual Publication.
United Nations. Energy Statistics Yearbook.
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