Key Message

In a growing world, the challenge is to provide the energy needed to meet development aspirations without further compromising the planet's health. The solutions lie in knowledge sharing, progressive policy and the use of existing and new technology.

Energy

Promoting sustainable development through clean, secure energy

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Energy is one of the key building blocks of sustainable development. In all countries it is the fundamental requirement for providing other basic life necessities such as food, water, shelter and clothing. Without energy—from its simplest forms, such as biomass, to its more complex counterparts, such as fossil fuels and hydroelectricity—society is unable to maintain or improve living standards, meet the basic needs of citizens or maintain the socioeconomic infrastructure necessary for political and economic stability. Indeed, for the estimated two billion people who currently rely on traditional biomass for cooking and do not have access to electricity, a lack of energy acts as a barrier to industrialization and escaping from the poverty trap.

The world is expected to change dramatically by 2030, presenting significant challenges for energy production and use. For example, in 2007 the International Energy Agency estimated that US$22 trillion of investment in energy infrastructure would be needed by 2030, largely in developing countries. These investments and others need to be carefully planned to ensure that greenhouse gas mitigation occurs hand-in-hand with meeting the energy needs and development aspirations of developed and developing countries.

Recognizing the critical role of energy in promoting sustainable development, IISD has adopted an interdisciplinary and integrated approach that examines energy concerns across the institute’s areas of work. Among other topics, our research has examined:

For information about IISD’s ongoing work in this area, please visit the Climate Change and Energy homepage.