Sustainable Development and Energy

Since “Sustainability” is such an important topic, let's talk about it from various perspectives. I am touching on the topic of Sustainable Development and Energy

Smil (1994) has argued convincingly that a direct correlation between changes in energy use – both source and converters – and advances in human well-being is one of the dominant features of human history. Although perennial debates linger about precise definitions of sustainable development, there is increasing agreement amongst scholars and practitioners that sustainable development policy relates to three critical elements that need to be treated together: economic, social and environmental.

Energy is central to any discussion of sustainable development because it is central to all three dimensions. In terms of the economic dimension of sustainable development, energy is clearly an important motor of macroeconomic growth. In terms of the environmental dimension, conventional energy sources are major sources of environmental stress at global as well as local levels. In terms of the social dimension, energy is a prerequisite for the fulfillment of many basic human needs and services, and inequities in energy provision and quality often manifest themselves as issues of social justice.

Successive environmental summits at Stockholm (1972), Rio de Janeiro (1992) and Johannesburg (2002) show an evolving agenda, depicted in the diagram below, where energy has received increasing prominence at these meetings and become more firmly rooted in the framework of sustainable development

Reference

Cleveland, C.J., Najam, A.: 2003, ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMITS: AN EVOLVING AGENDA