23 January 2013
Framing Paper on Energy Released for Global Consultation
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The World We Want 2015 has published a framing paper for the global thematic consultation on energy in the post-2015 development agenda.

The paper provides context and updates on the global consultation on energy, and poses questions to stimulate discussion on a post-2015 energy agenda.

The consultation is being co-led by UN-Energy and the UN Secretary-General's Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Initiative.

January 2013: The World We Want 2015 has published a framing paper for the global thematic consultation on energy in the post-2015 development agenda. The paper provides context and updates on the global consultation on energy, and poses questions to stimulate discussion on a post-2015 energy agenda. The consultation is being co-led by UN-Energy and the UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Initiative.

The paper poses eight questions on: integrating energy into the post-2015 framework; identifying priority energy issues; linking energy to development issues, including climate change, food security, gender and poverty reduction; identifying stakeholder roles; defining global energy goals, targets and indicators; identifying processes to integrate energy issues into the post-2015 agenda and its implementation; communicating the role of energy in supporting development; and discussing the UN’s role in advancing sustainable energy objectives.

Ten detailed questions focus on, inter alia: research and development on energy dimensions; human and institutional capacity development; funding sources; synergies between energy access, and energy for economic and social development; national energy planning processes; public-private partnerships; gender participation; synergies between energy and health; South-South cooperation; and the role of the UN system in the energy-water-food nexus.

The context section discusses: linkages and challenges of energy and sustainable development; how to address challenges and seize opportunities; and how to include public sector, private sector and civil society stakeholders.

According to the paper, sustainable energy is “widely recognized as a pre-requisite to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” and affordable, accessible and sustainable energy services are critical to achieving sustainable development. The paper also recognizes the transition to sustainable energy as “one of the largest global economic opportunities of the 21st century,” although it notes barriers related to business models, finance, governance structures, policies and regulations, and technology.

UN-Energy, the SE4ALL Initiative, the Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) of the UN Department for Economic and Social Development (DESA), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the World Bank, with the support of UN Development Programme (UNDP), serve as the Energy Consultation Steering Committee. Energy is one of 11 themes being addressed on a global level by the UN Development Group’s (UNDG) consultations on the post-2015 development agenda. [Publication: The Future We Want: Background Paper for Global Energy Consultation] [Energy Consultation Website] [IISD RS Story on Energy Consultation]


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