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Designing Country Profiles on Sustainable Energy Development
[last updated February 6, 2007 12:22 PM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeAugust 2002 - December 2008 |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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Other:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: National
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: Brazil, Cuba, South Africa |
National Focal Points
This partnership has not made any contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the countries involved
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
The main objective of this partnership is to design and demonstrate the application of a systematic and comprehensive approach for developing Country Profiles on Sustainable Energy Development (CPSEDs). Country leaders, policymakers and energy analysts are faced with the major challenge of assessing their energy systems within a sustainable development framework. Projects, plans, programs and policies need to be developed in a comprehensive manner taking into consideration not only economic issues but also social and environmental impacts as well as institutional and infrastructure requirements. The assessment represents a dynamic exercise in which country experts review past and current energy development and trends while exploring, at the same time, consistent images of future scenarios consonant with their specific sustainable development criteria and goals. This partnership initiative is a first attempt to produce such a comprehensive assessment.
While the CPSED approach could be applied to any country, the initial demonstration phase is being conducted in Brazil, Cuba and South Africa. In Brazil, the IAEA is working with CENBIO from the University of Sao Paulo and COPPE from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. In Cuba, the IAEA is working with CUBAENERGIA and in South Africa with the Energy Research Center of the University of Cape Town. International organizations cooperating in this partnership include UNDESA, OLADE and ECLAC.
At the national level, the partnerships are resulting in an overall assessment of the energy systems of participating countries, a review of potential future energy demand and supply scenarios and the definition of a comprehensive set of sustainable energy strategies specifically designed to help policy makers pursue their sustainable energy development objectives. Indicators for sustainable energy development (ISED) are being used to monitor each country's progress towards meeting national development goals.
Research and governmental organizations will have increased expertise in using energy planning tools and evaluation methodologies for the integrated assessment of energy systems and corresponding strategies and programs. The modelling framework and guidelines developed will permit other countries to construct systematically their country profiles on sustainable energy development.
While the CPSED approach could be applied to any country, the initial demonstration phase is being conducted in Brazil, Cuba and South Africa. In Brazil, the IAEA is working with CENBIO from the University of Sao Paulo and COPPE from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. In Cuba, the IAEA is working with CUBAENERGIA and in South Africa with the Energy Research Center of the University of Cape Town. International organizations cooperating in this partnership include UNDESA, OLADE and ECLAC.
At the national level, the partnerships are resulting in an overall assessment of the energy systems of participating countries, a review of potential future energy demand and supply scenarios and the definition of a comprehensive set of sustainable energy strategies specifically designed to help policy makers pursue their sustainable energy development objectives. Indicators for sustainable energy development (ISED) are being used to monitor each country's progress towards meeting national development goals.
Research and governmental organizations will have increased expertise in using energy planning tools and evaluation methodologies for the integrated assessment of energy systems and corresponding strategies and programs. The modelling framework and guidelines developed will permit other countries to construct systematically their country profiles on sustainable energy development.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsThe specific targets of this demonstration phase are the completion of the studies for Brazil, Cuba and South Africa and corresponding final reports to be published in 2006 and 2007. The final reports include in-depth assessments of energy aspects of sustainable development in its economic, social, environmental and institutional dimensions. They also serve to review important energy issues such as availability of resources, security of supplies, and technology development. The reports trace for energy analysts and decision makers, the consequences and outcomes of specific strategies and policies in terms of achieving specified development targets. In addition, the reports include a discussion and summary of lessons learned and guidelines that can be replicated by other countries to create their own national energy profiles.
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Progress against targetsMajor progress has been made in fulfilling the objectives of this partnership initiative. The following activities have been conducted in the last three years:
1. Meetings with initial partners were conducted to define terms of reference, building blocks, scope and schedule. 2. Overall implementation plans have been followed and teams have executed all the expected tasks and research activities. 3. Funds were allocated by major research organizations in participating countries and by the leading partner (IAEA) to conduct the tasks of the project. 4. Efforts to engage more partners were conducted during 2002 and 2003 for the implementation of the first country profile for Brazil. These efforts included contacts and/or visits to energy related organizations including: the European Community, Eurostat, the International Energy Agency, the Latin American Energy Agency (OLADE), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the World Energy Council (WEC). 5. Training courses on analytical tools for the modelling of the energy sector were conducted by the IAEA in Brazil and Cuba. This capacity building and transfer of know-how activities trained several energy specialists in modelling and simulation techniques specifically designed for assessing future energy demand and supply options. 6. Reports were drafted for the three participating countries. 7.The reports for Brazil and South Africa were published in 2006. The report for Cuba will be published in 2007. The partnership reached major goals in 2006 with the publication of the reports: "Brazil: A Country Profile on Sustainable Energy Development" and "Energy Policies for Sustainable Development in South Africa." A report for Cuba will be published in 2007. Other studies are being considered for countries that want to assess their energy systems using the same systematic approach. |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
The IAEA has provided appropriate tools and models; training and technical support in the use of these tools; and managerial support in the coordination and implementation of the studies. Analytical tools have been permanently installed in the Brazilian and Cuban research facilities securing full transfer of methodology and know-how.
The training activities focused on methodological issues and collection of relevant data for constructing indicators of sustainable energy supply and use, and to define sustainable energy strategies. The training is resulting in enhanced decision-making capability.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
Agenda 21 covers all issues that have significant bearing on the main key dimensions of sustainability, namely social, economic and environmental. One of these significant issues is energy. The provision of adequate and affordable energy services, in a secure and environmentally benign manner, and in conformity with social and economic developmental needs, is an essential element of sustainable development. This was recognised by Agenda 21.
Providing energy services at affordable levels, with a considerable level of efficiency and minimizing negative environmental impacts is a real challenge for many developing countries, especially in those countries where large disparities in energy availability still exist.
Therefore, energy represents a major factor for countries in their search for sustainable development. The integrated assessment of energy requirements and resources, taking into consideration social, economic, environmental and institutional implications, is needed. This partnership initiative is designed to fill this need, while at the same time demonstrating a general approach for constructing CPSED, as applicable in other countries.
With respect to the goals and objectives of the United Nations Millennium Declaration, this project is particularly relevant to the objectives III and IV that correspond to the goals of "Development and Poverty Eradication" and "Protecting Our Common Environment".
At the national level, the building of country profiles on sustainable energy development will allow not only the monitoring of progress towards national energy objectives but the formulation of specific sustainable energy strategies that will be consonant with social and environmental objectives. Improvements in the assessment of current energy policies, in the formulation of future policies and in monitoring their effectiveness (using ISED inter alia) will translate into a more efficient management of resources and consequently into progress towards meeting the objectives of development, poverty eradication and protection of the environment.
At the international level, the building of country profiles participating in the demonstration phase will pave the way for replication of the approach in other countries.
Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Providing energy services at affordable levels, with a considerable level of efficiency and minimizing negative environmental impacts is a real challenge for many developing countries, especially in those countries where large disparities in energy availability still exist.
Therefore, energy represents a major factor for countries in their search for sustainable development. The integrated assessment of energy requirements and resources, taking into consideration social, economic, environmental and institutional implications, is needed. This partnership initiative is designed to fill this need, while at the same time demonstrating a general approach for constructing CPSED, as applicable in other countries.
With respect to the goals and objectives of the United Nations Millennium Declaration, this project is particularly relevant to the objectives III and IV that correspond to the goals of "Development and Poverty Eradication" and "Protecting Our Common Environment".
At the national level, the building of country profiles on sustainable energy development will allow not only the monitoring of progress towards national energy objectives but the formulation of specific sustainable energy strategies that will be consonant with social and environmental objectives. Improvements in the assessment of current energy policies, in the formulation of future policies and in monitoring their effectiveness (using ISED inter alia) will translate into a more efficient management of resources and consequently into progress towards meeting the objectives of development, poverty eradication and protection of the environment.
At the international level, the building of country profiles participating in the demonstration phase will pave the way for replication of the approach in other countries.
Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Combating poverty; Integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources
Relevant Sections of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 Integration of economic, social and environmental objectives
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Poverty eradication ; Changing unsustainable patterns of consumption and production ; Protection and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development ; Health and sustainable development ; Means of implementation
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipUnder this project, local research institutions developed the needed data and conducted the research and analysis for the development of the corresponding energy profiles. The IAEA disseminated relevant tools, organized training courses and workshops on model application and ISED implementation, and provided technical support. The IAEA staff and country experts have been developing for replication by others, the analytical approach and the building blocks for comprehensive energy country profiles. Other international organizations have participated by providing technical and financial support.
Expert Committees were organized to lead and implement the projects with experts from national and international organizations. |
Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipThis project was designed to include two phases: (1): an initial demonstration phase for the definition of an approach to be followed for constructing country profiles of sustainable energy development (CPSED). Brazil, Cuba and South Africa have successfully implemented this initial phase and (2) a replication phase for the development of CPSEDs for other countries.
This initiative is directly linked to the activities of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and concurrent activities of the IAEA, especially its multi-agency work on Indicators for Sustainable Energy Development (ISED). The initiative is also linked to the sustainable development activities of the CSD, OECD, IEA, EC and the ECLAC. Progress on the implementation of this initiative has been monitored by the IAEA and the participating research institutes throughout the 3-year period by the submission of progress reports summarizing findings and the draft chapters of the final reports. |
Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: 0
Source(s): IGO
The IAEA is providing technical and partial financial support for the implementation of the first phase of this project to participating organizations from Brazil, South Africa and Cuba. Brazilian organizations providing support include: COPPE, CENBIO, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Science and Technology, ELetrobras. Also some support has been provided by UNDESA and ECLAC. |
Non-financial resources availableType(s): Staff
Source(s): IGO
IAEA is providing support that includes capacity building transfer of know-how, and assistance in project management and implementation. Personnel and time have been committed to train professionals from participating organizations in the use of energy modelling tools and ISED. Participating national organizations are providing personnel support such as analysts and experts as well as research facilities, data and other technical support. |
Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: not specified
Source(s) already approached: Countries with energy planning needs may see this project as an opportunity to enhance their energy systems and to help promote awareness of sustainable development. Funding is being sought for the replication of this project in other countries.
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
The demonstration phase of this partnership has been successfully implemented. The approach can now be applied in other countries pursuing comprehensive energy assessment and planning.