Affordable and Clean Energy

The management of natural resources is directly associated with climate change. On the one hand, most of the greenhouse gases released in the atmosphere originate from the production, transformation and use of natural resources such as coal, natural gas and oil. On the other hand, climate change affects natural resources such as forests and agricultural produce. These interactions illustrate the two-way relationship between climate change and the commodities sector. This paper analyses the ways in which the management of natural resources may impact climate change, and how climate change impacts the adaptation strategies of countries, industries and farmers that extract or produce primary commodities. Resource management is analysed from the perspective of a capital conversion-based model of development. One important conclusion of the paper is that integrating climate change concerns into resource management implies that some natural resources will need to be stranded in order to meet mitigation commitments compatible with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursuing efforts to limit the increase in the average value of global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

This publication explores the progress in energy efficiency and renewable energy in selected countries of South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, and in the Russian Federation. The study analyzes policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks, financial environment and level of awareness in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy from 2010 to the present. It also identifies the existing gaps at the required frameworks and environment to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy investments in the countries. This study is intended to support countries in their ongoing efforts towards improving energy efficiency and building a strong renewable energy base. It proposes a set of recommendations for necessary steps in achieving the long-term objectives for energy mix and meeting the ambitious related targets set by the countries.

This is the fourteenth issue of Energy Balances and Electricity Profiles published by the United Nations Statistics Division. The publication presents energy data for selected countries in a format which shows the overall picture of energy production, conversion and consumption for fuels utilised in the country. Such a publication is useful in assessing and analysing production and consumption patterns in detail on an internationally comparable basis.

This is the eleventh issue of Energy Balances and Electricity Profiles published by the Statistics Division of the United Nations Secretariat. Like previous issues, this volume presents energy data for selected countries in a format which shows the overall picture of energy production, conversion and consumption for fuels utilised in the country. Such a publication is useful in assessing and analysing production and consumption patterns in detail on an internationally comparable basis.

This is the twelfth issue of Energy Balances and Electricity Profiles published by the Statistics Division of the United Nations Secretariat. Like previous issues, this 2002 volume presents energy data for selected countries in a format which shows the overall picture of energy production, conversion and consumption for fuels utilised in the country. Such a publication is useful in assessing and analysing production and consumption patterns in detail on an internationally comparable basis.

Cette publication contient le texte de la Classification-cadre des Nations Unies pour l’énergie et les réserves et ressources minérales fossiles 2009 (UNFC-2009) et le cahier des charges (règles de base) pour son application. La CCNU-2009 est un système universellement acceptable et applicable à l’échelle internationale pour la classification et la notification des réserves et des ressources en énergies fossiles et minérales et constitue actuellement la seule classification au monde à le faire. Comme pour les activités extractives, la CCNU-2009 reflète les conditions du domaine économique et social, notamment les conditions-cadres des marchés et des pouvoirs publics, la maturité technologique et industrielle et les incertitudes toujours présentes. Il fournit un cadre unique pour la réalisation d’études internationales sur l’énergie et les minéraux, l’analyse des politiques gouvernementales en matière de gestion des ressources, la planification des processus industriels et l’affectation efficace des capitaux. Les spécifications rendent la CCNU-2009 opérationnelle. Ils énoncent les règles de base jugées nécessaires pour assurer un niveau approprié de cohérence dans l’application. Ils fournissent des instructions supplémentaires sur la manière dont la CCNU-2009 devrait être appliquée dans des circonstances spécifiques. En couvrant toutes les activités extractives, la CCNU-2009 reprend les principes communs et fournit un outil permettant de rendre compte de manière cohérente de ces activités, quel que soit le produit de base. C’est un code fort qui ouvre la voie à de meilleures communications mondiales qui contribueront à la stabilité et à la sécurité des approvisionnements, régies par des règles et des directives moins nombreuses et mieux comprises. L’utilisation efficace de la CCNU-2009 et de ses spécifications est un gage d’efficacité.

Today coal supplies around 30 per cent of global primary energy and 40 per cent of global electricity. Coal extraction has become increasingly challenging as shallow reserves are exhausted and deeper seams, with significant content of methane, are mined. Societies are demanding and expecting safer mine working conditions, and greater environmental stewardship from the coal industry. The global coal industry, national governments, trade unions, and worker safety advocates are concerned that the frequency and severity of methane explosions, especially in emerging economies, are unacceptably high. Coal mine methane (CMM) only becomes flammable and creates an explosion hazard when allowed to mix with air. Methane-rich gases, generally containing 80 per cent to 95 per cent methane at underground mining depths, occur naturally in coal seams and are released as CMM when coal seams are disturbed by mining activities. Methane is an explosive gas in the range of 5 per cent to 15 per cent methane in air. The application of best practices for methane drainage and use is critical to reduce methane-related accidents and explosions that all too often accompany coal mining, while also contributing to environmental protection through reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Good mining practices need to be transferred to all countries to ensure that risks are managed professionally and effectively. No mine, even in the most developed countries, is free from safety risks. Regardless of location or mining conditions, it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of methane related incidents and explosions. Good safety practice in coal mines is to reduce explosion risk by preventing the occurrence of explosive mixtures and, where practical, by monitoring and rapidly diluting explosive mixtures to safe concentrations.

Coal mines are not only a safety management challenge but also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Methane release during coal mining creates unsafe working conditions in underground coal mines around the world. This Guidance is intended to provide a genuine contribution to improve mine safety practices at active underground coal mines, by supporting safer mining practices to reduce fatalities, injuries, and property losses, while encouraging the use of coal mine methane (CMM) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and utilize otherwise –wasted energy resources.

This publication highlights challenges and priorities of the East and North-East Asia subregion (ENEA) in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Subregion comprises China, Japan, Mongolia, the two Koreas and Russia. It highlights the priority areas for ENEA as poverty reduction and safeguarding basic needs; enhancing energy efficiency and optimizing energy structure; addressing climate change; increasing resilience to disasters; enhancing resource efficiency; ecological innovation for growth; integrating population ageing in national development priorities, and development assistance. Statistical tables and graphs of the latest data of SDG indicators are provided.