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E/CN.17/1997/16 |
Economic and Social Council
Distr. GENERAL
18 February 1997
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Fifth session
7-25 April 1997
Item 4 of the provisional agenda *
* To be issued as E/CN.17/1997/1.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FOR THE PURPOSE OF AN OVERALL REVIEW AND APPRAISAL OF THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 21
Letter dated 29 January 1997 from the Permanent Representative of
Austria to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
I have the honour to refer to an Expert Workshop on "Fostering the
Linkage between Energy and Sustainable Development within the
International Institutions", which, in preparation for the special
session of the General Assembly for the purpose of an overall review
and appraisal of Agenda 21, was hosted by the Austrian Ministry for
the Environment, Youth and Family Affairs, and held in Vienna from 22
to 24 January 1997. The conclusions and recommendations of the
Workshop are summarized in the enclosed report. **
(** The report is circulated in the language of submission only.)
I would highly appreciate if you would arrange for the present
letter and the enclosed report to be circulated as an official
document for the Inter-sessional Working Group of the Commission on
Sustainable Development, for the fifth session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development and the special session of the General
Assembly for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of Agenda
21, under the respective and appropriate agenda items.
(Signed) Ernst SUCHARIPA
Ambassador
Permanent Representative of
Austria to the United Nations
Annex
REPORT FROM THE EXPERT WORKSHOP "FOSTERING THE LINKAGE
BETWEEN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS"
(Vienna, 22-24 January 1997)
I. INTRODUCTION
1. In preparation for the special session of the General Assembly in
June 1997 for the overall review and appraisal of the implementation
of the Rio commitments, the Austrian Ministry for the Environment,
Youth and Family Affairs hosted an Expert Workshop in Vienna from 22
to 24 January 1997 on "Fostering the Linkage between Energy and
Sustainable Development within the International Institutions". The
meeting was chaired by Ms. Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl, Director of the
Department for International Affairs at the Austrian Ministry for the
Environment, Youth and Family Affairs, and entrusted the function of
Rapporteur to Professor Wim C. Turkenburg, Utrecht University and
member of the United Nations Committee on New and Renewable Sources of
Energy and on Energy for Development (UNCNRSEED).
2. As an input to this Workshop, Ms. Joke M. Waller-Hunter, Director
of the Division on Sustainable Development of the Department for
Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development presented the report
of the Secretary-General, prepared in a United Nations inter-agency
process, entitled "Inventory of Ongoing Energy-Related Programmes and
Activities of Entities within the UN System, on Coordination of Such
Activities and on Arrangements Needed to Foster the Linkage between
Energy and Sustainable Development within the System". As a second
input to the Workshop, Professor Thomas B. Johansson, Director of the
Energy and Atmosphere Programme of UNDP, presented an executive
summary of the report "Energy After Rio: Prospects and Challenges"
prepared by UNDP in collaboration with external organizations
(International Energy Initiative; Energy 21; Stockholm Environment
Institute) and in consultation with the secretariat of the United
Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Further input was
delivered by a number of other participants to the Workshop, partly in
response to the above-mentioned documents. 1/
3. Based on these inputs and on the lively and stimulating
discussions between all the participants, in this report the
conclusions and recommendations of the Workshop are summarized.
II. ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
4. Agenda 21 and other internationally agreed plans of action adopted
at major United Nations conferences as well as energy-related
environmental and other relevant conventions provide a global
framework containing goals and objectives for environmentally
sustainable socio-economic development, and specified actions related
to energy use and supply to realize them. Taken together, the
necessary actions imply major changes in the world's energy systems.
5. The Workshop envisaged that a sustainable energy future, in the
emerging world characterized by globalization and liberalization of
markets, could come about through a combination of economic,
regulatory and other measures to achieve economic efficiency and to
direct market actors towards energy investments and activities that
contribute to realizing the goals and objectives of the major
conferences.
6. The Workshop concluded that energy is at the core of the
sustainable development debate, as it plays a key role in achieving
the economic, social and environmental objective of sustainable
development.
7. Access to - and therefore adequate availability of - energy
services is a prerequisite to achieving the socio-economic development
that is required to improve the quality of life and satisfy basic
human needs, including access to jobs, food, running water, housing,
health services, education and communication. An adequate supply of
energy is urgently needed in developing regions, in particular in the
least developed countries, remote rural areas and small island
developing States, where over 2 billion people have little or no
access to commercial energy resources. It is also a prerequisite for
sustainable development in the industrialized world and in the
countries with economies in transition. The supply of energy should
be secure and reliable. Also it is essential that access to energy
services and the supply of energy be realized at affordable costs;
that the development and application of energy resources and
technologies be realized in a socially acceptable manner; and that the
development of energy sources creates opportunities for local
employment and new industrial activity. The Workshop also recognized
the importance for relevant demand security for energy exporting
countries.
8. The further development of the world energy system should in
itself be consistent with the pursuit of sustainability: it should
not endanger the quality of life of present and future generations,
and should not exceed the carrying capacity of existing ecosystems.
This means that the production and consumption of energy should be
clean and safe. It also means that the use of scarce resources to
fulfil present needs for energy services should not compromise the
ability of future generations to meet their needs for the same
services. This in turn requires an efficient use of resources and a
timely development of alternative resources. The indicated efficiency
is also required to reduce the production of waste, pollutants and
greenhouse gases. Finally, given the pursuit of sustainability, it is
important that the development of short-term options not hinder the
development of options that in the longer term contribute better to
sustainability.
9. The Workshop noted that the current patterns of the production,
distribution and use of energy are in general not sustainable, in
particular because the current approach to energy worldwide is still
characterized by a stronger emphasis on energy supply than on demand
without due regard to its social, economic and environmental
consequences.
10. The Workshop concluded that there is an urgent need to develop an
energy future that contributes to sustainable development. Such a
strategy has to include: (i) a more efficient use of energy and
energy-intensive materials; (ii) an increased use of safe and
environmentally sound energy technologies, in particular modernized
renewable sources of energy; (iii) a shift towards an environmentally
sound, safe, efficient and cost-effective production and use of
depletable energy resources making full use of new technology
generations. The Workshop noted with interest the new technological
developments, referred to in the UNDP report providing opportunities
for using fossil fuels in ways compatible with sustainable
development.
III. TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE
11. The Workshop concluded that all actors - Governments, the
international community, the private sector, the scientific community
and non-governmental organizations - should pursue the development,
the promotion and the implementation of policies and programmes, as
appropriate, designed to realize a sustainable energy future. Major
changes in the current energy systems are urgently needed. As
indicated in the report of the Secretary-General and in the UNDP
report, this demands a concerted effort of all actors concerned,
including the United Nations.
12. Enhanced efforts to move towards a sustainable energy future
should take as a starting point the recommendations of major United
Nations conferences dealing with this subject, like the ones made in
Agenda 21, as well as the actions and processes initiated to achieve a
sustainable energy future and the outcomes of relevant discussions on
this item.
13. The Workshop found that the pursuit and implementation of
integrated strategies towards a sustainable energy future are urgently
needed both in the decision-making and the implementation stage.
These strategies should be based on the subsidiarity principle, taking
into account the specific mandates of relevant United Nations bodies,
and the key roles of local stakeholders, the private sector, national
Governments and other regional and international organizations.
14. The Workshop also found that the United Nations has an important
role to play in developing a reference framework for the energy-
related activities of the United Nations system based on a common
understanding of a sustainable energy future and providing synergies
to the activities, as indicated in the report of the Secretary-
General. So far, no common strategy has been developed, as already
indicated by UNCNRSEED and confirmed by the reports of the Secretary-
General and UNDP. The development and adoption of such a strategy
could greatly increase the coherence and effectiveness of the United
Nations activities in pursuit of energy systems that contribute to
sustainable development.
15. The common strategy to guide the United Nations system should be
developed through an open and participatory process. It should foster
partnership for sustainable energy development with relevant actors
outside the United Nations system, taking into account that the United
Nations, in financial terms, is only a modest player in the energy
field.
16. The development of a common United Nations strategy towards a
sustainable energy future should build on the experience gained so far
in inter-agency cooperation and coordination in the energy field, as
recommended in the report of the Secretary-General. Through this
process, and after extensive consultation, the common framework should
be submitted, through UNCNRSEED and the Commission on Sustainable
Development, to the Economic and Social Council and to the General
Assembly for consideration and approval.
IV. FOSTERING THE LINKAGE BETWEEN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT ON AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL LEVEL
17. The Commission on Sustainable Development was recognized as the
appropriate United Nations forum for intergovernmental discussion on a
global approach towards a sustainable energy future at the policy
level. In the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development, the
local and the regional potential to achieve a sustainable energy
future should be fully harnessed.
18. The Workshop recommended a dedicated session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development towards a sustainable energy future. This
session might be organized in the year 2001, on the twentieth
anniversary of the United Nations Conference on New and Renewable
Sources of Energy, held at Nairobi, even though an earlier
consideration of this subject is recommended, given the needs and the
possibilities of a major change in current energy systems. In
addition, the Workshop wanted to stress that an appropriate
preparation of this energy session should be ensured upon the approval
of the 1998-2002 work programme of the Commission on Sustainable
Development. In this preparation, major stakeholders should be
involved.
19. The Workshop also found that a process should be devised to ensure
linkages between intergovernmental meetings on energy-related issues
in and outside the United Nations body, in order to enhance the
coherence in these meetings and to avoid duplication.
20. The Committee on New and Renewable Sources of Energy and on Energy
for Development is the only body in the United Nations that addresses
all aspects of the energy field at the expert level. Its
effectiveness could be enhanced. Consequently its mode of operation
should be addressed following the recommendations given in the report
of the Secretary-General (para. 65 - see appendix). The Workshop
recommended to the Commission on Sustainable Development and to the
Economic and Social Council to examine ways and means in which
UNCNRSEED could continue to play a useful role in furthering United
Nations policy discussions in the field of energy after 1997, pending
the outcome of the review process pursuant to General Assembly
resolution 50/227. The Workshop suggested that nominations to this
Committee pay due respect to its expert character. In addition, ways
for a more active non-governmental organization participation might be
found. Finally, it is proposed that the Economic and Social Council
should investigate the possibilities to change the name of the
Committee to, for example, the Energy Committee.
V. NEW FORUMS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
21. The Workshop identified the need for concerted efforts at the
global, regional, national and local level between consumers, private
investors, energy industries, Governments, non-governmental
organizations and - where appropriate - multilateral institutions to
promote a sustainable energy future that will ensure that energy
fulfils its potential of being a key instrument for sustainable human
development.
22. In this context, the Workshop especially identified a need for
neutral forums, for the discussion of necessary steps towards
sustainable energy systems, for the pursuit of common understanding
and cooperation, and exchanging information on technology development
and dissemination. These forums are needed both at the local,
regional and global levels, to create an atmosphere where all
stakeholders act in partnership while not undermining the
competitiveness of own industries.
23. The Workshop recommended that the usefulness of a new global forum
should be further considered, starting with an open-ended process,
building on the interested parties, and focusing on selected issues.
The initiating parties would have to further define and develop the
objectives and working forms. The Workshop noted with appreciation
that the representative of the Danish Government indicated a probable
willingness of his Government to consider active support for such a
process.
VI. IMPROVING INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION
WITHIN THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM
24. To support concerted action towards achieving a sustainable energy
future, the cooperation between United Nations agencies having a
mandate for energy and the coordination of the energy activities of
these agencies should be improved. To meet this goal, the Workshop
recommended that action should be taken along the lines of the
proposals made in the report of the Secretary-General, giving regard
to the promotion of more effective inter-agency cooperation at the
global, regional and field levels.
VII. AREAS FOR POLICY ACTION TOWARDS
A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE
25. The Workshop took note of the areas where policy action needs to
be considered to bring about sustainable energy. The Workshop
identified amongst others the following points:
- Identification of the need for energy services;
- Identification of sources and technologies that should be
developed and applied in a sustainable fashion;
- Administrative, legal, social and economic barriers that
hinder the implementation of sustainable energy options;
- Development of an integrated approach to a sustainable energy
future;
- Ways and means to monitor and evaluate the progress made;
- Energy pricing, taxes and subsidies;
- Development of new, clean technologies and the creation of
markets for these technologies;
- Integration of energy policies into environmental policies
and into policies to develop fields like the agricultural,
transport, industrial and utility sector;
- Internalization of external costs of energy consumption;
- Support for demonstration projects on the efficient use of
energy and the implementation of clean and safe energy
technologies;
- Development of indicators and criteria to measure and compare
energy efficiency;
- Incorporation of gender concerns, as contained in the
Platform for Action and the Beijing Declaration;
- Identification of measures to develop and implement
sustainable energy options in the framework of marketization
and globalization.
Appendix
EXPERT WORKSHOP: "FOSTERING THE LINKAGE BETWEEN ENERGY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS"
In paragraphs 20 and 24 of the report on the Expert Workshop
"Fostering the Linkage between Energy and Sustainable Development
within the International Institutions" reference is made to paragraphs
65 and 66 of the report of the Secretary-General entitled "Inventory
of Ongoing Energy-Related Programmes and Activities of Entities within
the United Nations System, on Coordination of Such Activities and on
Arrangements Needed to Foster the Linkage between Energy and
Sustainable Development within the System". For ease of reference,
the full text of these paragraphs is given below.
Paragraphs 65 and 66 of the report of the Secretary-General read:
"B. The role of the Committee on New and Renewable
Sources of Energy and on Energy for Development
"65. Currently, the Committee on New and Renewable Sources of
Energy and on Energy for Development is the only body in the
United Nations that addresses all aspects of the energy
discussion. The UNCNRSEED should continue to play a useful role
in furthering United Nations policy discussion in the field of
energy after 1997. However, the modalities of the Committee's
functioning could be adjusted in order to enhance its
effectiveness. This could include:
(i) Better representation of Governments; currently not all
regions have designated their representatives;
(ii) Better dissemination of reports;
(iii) Better participation of the organizations of the United
Nations system, including regional commissions, in the
work of the Committee, including in the preparation of
reports;
(iv) Establishment of links between the Committee and non-
United Nations organizations dealing with energy, such as
IAEA and WEC;
(v) Changing the Committee's pattern of reporting so that it
will report to the Economic and Social Council through
the Commission on Sustainable Development (which already
was the case for some of the Committee's reports) with a
view to ensuring greater integration of the results of
the Committee's work in the sustainable development
discussion. Furthermore, there is a need to ensure that
the Committee's work programme takes into account
relevant requirements of the Commission on Sustainable
Development.
"C. Improving inter-agency cooperation
"66. It is essential to promote more effective arrangements for
inter-agency coordination and cooperation in the field of energy,
both at the global and field levels. This could include:
(a) Making energy a recurrent item on the agenda of the
Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development (IACSD) and
ensuring linkages with energy-related aspects of work of other ACC
bodies, including the task forces established in follow-up of
recent global conferences;
(b) Convening ad hoc meetings of relevant organizations,
preferably back-to-back with or in the margins of other meetings
(like IACSD or UNCNRSEED) in order to:
(i) Elaborate a common approach as suggested in paragraphs 61
to 64 above;
(ii) Discuss arrangements related to the provision of system-
wide support to policy-making processes, including in
UNCNRSEED and the Commission on Sustainable Development;
(iii) Promote greater policy coherence between
intergovernmental and governing bodies throughout the
United Nations system;
(iv) Exchange information and discuss lessons learned from
various projects and activities;
(v) Promote data comparability;
(c) Discussing specific arrangements aimed at enhancing the
United Nations system's capacity for information exchange in the
field of energy. This may include the establishment of an
electronic database on energy-related activities, programmes and
experiences which, eventually, may be linked with other relevant
databases that exist in the United Nations system."
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Note
1/ The representative of IAEA, Mr. Morris Rosen, expressed
reservations as to the title and content of section 2.4.2 on "Nuclear
Energy and Nuclear Weapons Proliferation" of the UNDP report.
According to IAEA, it addresses in a misleading manner questions
related to non-proliferation and thereby contains an unacceptable
criticism of the NPT regime. In the opinion of IAEA, this matter is
outside the scope of a UNDP report.
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Date last posted: 10 December 1999 17:25:35
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