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| Energising the MDGs: going beyond business-as-usual to address energy access, sustainability and security |
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| Author: |
Olav Kjorven, 2006-09-12
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| Title: |
Energising the MDGs: going beyond business-as-usual to address energy access, sustainability and security |
| Publisher: |
The Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting 2006: Investing in Infrastructure and Development, 3 pages
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| Type: |
Papers
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| Country / Region: |
Global
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| Categories: |
Millennium Development Goals,
Energy Services
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| Themes/Issues: |
Access
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| Date Posted: |
2006-09-28 |
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This article, authored by Olav Kjorven, Director, Environment and Energy Group, was published along with other pertinent articles in an annual report launched at the 'Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting 2006' in Sri Lanka, 12-14 September. Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 is a strong collective goal among Commonwealth members and the international community at large. Unless urgent action is taken, lack of adequate energy will become a bottleneck to achieving the MDGs. We need to move beyond the ‘business-as-usual’ approach to energy and address the challenges of energy access, sustainability and security head on. This article highlights the critical importance of sustained, political commitment, articulated through a national energy vision and priorities, supported by public budgetary allocations. It also points to carbon financing as an excellent opportunity that goes beyond the limits of public finance to help accelerate transition to more sustainable energy systems.
Energy is fundamental to virtually all aspects of human endeavours.Whether for achieving sustained macro-economic growth, reducing gender inequity or tackling local and global environmental consequences, energy can have significant impacts – positive and negative. Indeed, it will be impossible to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) without improving the quality and quantity of energy services. Addressing energy issues requires a full examination of the following three fundamental challenges:
• Expanding access to modern energy services for the poor •Transitioning to more sustainable energy systems, and • Ensuring energy security.
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