Energising sustainable development: concepts and projects
A sustainable energy supply is a precondition for economic and social development and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. In many parts of the world, a large share of the population have no access to modern energy services. At best, towns and industries are supplied with antiquated and unsustainable energy facilities. Worldwide, two billion people with no access to modern energy supplies are forced to use traditional forms of biomass such as wood, coal or dung to cover their basic energy needs. In light of this situation, there is an urgent need for developing countries to adopt sustainable and forward-looking energy policies. GTZ offers a wide range of capacity-building services to assist in the transition to a sustainable energy future. In this process, GTZ can draw on its long-standing experience with a current 65 energy projects all over the world. Access to modern energy services, the promotion of renewable energy, and greater energy efficiency are the three key elements of any strategy for a sustainable energy supply. The transformation of the global energy system is one of the greatest challenges facing humankind in the 21st century. The contributions to this volume discuss the energy challenges in different parts of the world, illustrate some conceptual approaches to address these challenges.