11 April 2013
Energy Consultation Culminates in High-level Meeting, Finalizes Common Vision
story highlights

The Global Thematic Consultation on Energy culminated in a High-level Meeting (HLM) on Energy and the Post-2015 Development Agenda on 9 April 2013 in Oslo, Norway.

The HLM, which was hosted by the Government of Norway and co-hosted by the Governments of Mexico and Tanzania, discussed global energy objectives and finalized a common vision that will be forwarded as a set of recommendations to the High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (HLP).

9 April 2013: The Global Thematic Consultation on Energy culminated in a High-level Meeting (HLM) on Energy and the Post-2015 Development Agenda on 9 April 2013 in Oslo, Norway. The HLM, which was hosted by the Government of Norway and co-hosted by the Governments of Mexico and Tanzania, discussed global energy objectives and finalized a common vision that will be forwarded as a set of recommendations to the High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (HLP).

Following opening remarks and highlights from global and regional energy consultations, over 175 participants convened in two dialogues. On energy and the post-2015 development agenda, participants highlighted the importance of, inter alia: energy for accelerating progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); modern energy services for online education; linkages between energy, climate change and health; the water-energy-food nexus; and the importance of education and of young people in addressing global energy challenges.

Vivien Foster, World Bank, said companies frequently cite industrial energy access and high energy costs as barriers to investment in developing countries. Rajendra Pachauri, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), noted that it would cost US$5 billion to provide a solar lantern to every person currently without access to clean lighting.

On addressing energy challenges, participants discussed, inter alia: removing adverse subsidies and lowering renewable energy prices; private sector investment; challenges in adopting clean cookstove technologies; and enabling conditions for achieving the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) objectives.

Christian Bach, Minister for Development Cooperation, Denmark, stressed the importance of energy pricing in sending the right signals to markets for developing the technology needed to meet energy targets. Mwangi Waituru, Beyond 2015, recommended moving from a supply-side perspective to a demand-side perspective of energy needs.

On an energy goal, Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General, UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), proposed one energy goal with sub-targets on access, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and ensuring that sub-targets are related to other sectors, such as health and food security. B.K. Chaturvedi, Planning Commission, India, recommended setting energy goals and targets in accordance with national capabilities and resources. Heikki Holmås, Minister of International Development, Norway, suggested a single energy goal as the core message of the report to be submitted to the HLP.

The HLM followed a series of energy consultations, including a global online discussion on the World We Want 2015 Platform, as well as regional consultations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. UN Energy and the SE4ALL initiative coordinated the energy consultation, which was also co-led by UNIDO, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the World Bank, with support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP). [IISD RS Meeting Coverage] [Meeting Website] [Post-2015 Energy Consultation]


related events


related posts