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Sustainable Energy

Introduction

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UNECE’s work on sustainable energy is designed to improve access to affordable and clean energy for all and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of the energy sector in the region. It promotes international policy dialogue and cooperation among governments, energy industries and other stakeholders.  The focus  is on energy efficiency, cleaner electricity production from fossil fuels, renewable energy, coal mine methane, gas, classification of energy and mineral reserves and resources, and energy security.  Read more

 

In focus

Almaty Energy Forum 2023
06 - 08 November 2023, Almaty - Kazakh British Technical University Kazakhstan

Building on the discussions and recommendations from the Almaty Energy Forum in 2022,  United Nations organizations – United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - are strengthening its regional partnership to help countries in Central Asia accelerate energy transition.

UNECE Sustainable Energy Week 2023

This year’s UNECE Sustainable Energy Week features several in-person events, including the:

10th session of the Group of Experts on Renewable Energy (11-12 September)

32nd session of the Committee on Sustainable Energy (13-15 September)

The Sustainable Energy Week will focus on Building Resilient Energy Systems. It will include specific discussions, exchange of experiences, recommendations and presentations on country policies and actions that design and build resilient energy systems across the UNECE region, taking into account how to manage critical raw materials, developing regional connected energy infrastructure, accelerating energy efficiency and digitalization, scaling up-renewable energy uptake considering low- and zero carbon technologies interplay.

Join us in person at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Russian will be provided. Registration is mandatory for all participants for all two events at the links listed below.

The overview of the Week and programme is available here.

For Practical Information and Map of Palais des Nations, please click here.

Platform on Resilient Energy Systems

The time is now for countries to implement policies to build resilient energy systems that provide reliable and affordable access to energy, enhance quality of life and economic growth, and minimize the overall environmental impact of the energy sector.  

According to the UNECE Carbon Neutrality Toolkit, attaining net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is still achievable if we act now.  

A resilient energy system is one where energy makes an optimal contribution to a country’s social, economic, and environmental development. It consists of:  

  1. Energy security allows reliable energy needed for economic development 
  2. Affordability of green energy reduces the costs of electricity, heating, cooling, and transport while increasing systemic energy efficiency
  3. Environmental sustainability lowers the carbon footprint across the energy supply chain

UNECE Expert Groups have united to create five recommendations to build a resilient energy system: 

  1. Prioritize and maximize the implementation of energy efficiency solutions to drive down energy consumption. 
  2. Digitalize the energy system and take advantage of increasing consumer digital literacy. 
  3. Accelerate fuel switching to optimize the carbon footprint of end use energy and replace carbon intensive fuels where practical with low- and zero-carbon options.  
  4. Manage resources effectively, sustainably, and with circular economy considerations, using the UN Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and UN Resource Management System (UMRMS).  
  5. Accelerate deployment of low- and zero-carbon technologies by scaling renewable energy, nuclear power and advanced fossil fuels with carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS). 

Documents 

Highlights

“Guidance for the Application of the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) for Mineral and Anthropogenic Resources in Europe" will assist regional and national authorities to establish and maintain a Project inventory of primary and secondary raw materials Projects in Europe.

UNECE Framework for Building Resilient Energy Systems  maps actions for countries to achieve greater energy security, affordability and environmental sustainability. 

Carbon Neutrality Toolkit: Supporting policymakers to make informed decisions towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.

A Commitment Trifecta Bold action in the three areas that UNECE believes will deliver concrete, near-term outcomes and, longer-term, achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.

A Push to Pivot: Three long-term initiatives UNECE believes are needed to secure the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development while mitigating climate change.

Overview of Benefits and Challenges for Governments applying UNFC to Renewable Energy Projects and Resources: A joint study by the Group of  Experts on Renewable Energy (GERE) and EGRM explores potential benefits and challenges in applying UNFC for national resource management (in English, French and Russian).

Upcoming Events

18 - 21 March, 2024

Geneva
Switzerland

22 - 26 April, 2024

Tempus, Palais des Nations
Geneva
Switzerland

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