Affordable and Clean Energy

This publication contains the text of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 (UNFC-2009) and the Specifications (basic rules) for its Application. UNFC-2009 is a universally acceptable and internationally applicable scheme for the classification and reporting of fossil energy and mineral reserves and resources and is currently the only classification in the world to do so. As with extractive activities, UNFC-2009 reflects conditions in the economic and social domain, including markets and government framework conditions, technological and industrial maturity and the ever present uncertainties. It provides a single framework on which to build international energy and mineral studies, analyze government resource management policies, plan industrial processes and allocate capital efficiently. The Specifications make UNFC-2009 operational. They set out the basic rules that are considered necessary to ensure an appropriate level of consistency in application. They provide additional instructions on how UNFC-2009 should be applied in specific circumstances. By covering all extractive activities, UNFC-2009 captures the common principles and provides a tool for consistent reporting for these activities, regardless of the commodity. It is a strong code that paves the way for improved global communications which will aid stability and security of supplies, governed by fewer and more widely understood rules and guidelines. The efficiencies to be gained through the global use of UNFC-2009 and its Specifications are substantial.

It examines the current status of ESCO development in twelve countries participating in the project. For the purposes of the report all participating countries are divided into three groups: member states of the European Union (EU), South-Eastern European countries and countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (the latter represented by Kazakhstan). The development of the ESCO market in these countries is not at the same level. The proposed grouping helps examine the current situation with ESCOs in the countries based on their geographical situation and neighborhood as well as the membership in and/or relationship with the EU. Information presented in this report is based on the results of desk research, findings of the Regional Analysis of Policy Reforms to Promote EE and RE Investments (undertaken earlier in the framework of the FEEI project), information provided by the National Coordinators (NCs) and National Participation Institutions (NPIs) in the framework of the project, consultations with experts in the ESCO market area and other available information.

Le commerce international est un outil essentiel pour la réduction de la pauvreté dans tous les pays en développement, mais les liens entre l’un et l’autre ne sont ni simples ni automatiques. Le Rapport de 2004 sur les pays les moins avancés (PMA) a pour objet de préciser ces liens et d’aider ainsi à mieux comprendre comment on peut agir à l’échelle nationale et internationale pour mettre véritablement le commerce au service de la lutte contre la pauvreté.

Ce rapport est la source la plus complète et fiable d’analyses et de données socioéconomiques sur les pays les moins avancés (PMA). Il s’adresse à un large public, y compris les pouvoirs publics, les décideurs, les chercheurs et tous ceux qui s’intéressent aux PMA est à la politique de développement. Cette édition évalue le caractère durable de la croissance économique dans les PMA, est examine dans quelle mesure cette croissance contribue à améliorer le niveau de vie des populations. Enfin, elle analyse le rôle des politiques de gestion de l'aide conduites par les bénéficiaires au niveau national.

The electricity sector is rapidly changing. Faced with the challenge of climate change, coal consumption is declining. Policy designs focus on raising the penetration of renewable energy. However, there are still drawbacks that prevent renewable energy from being adopted at industrial scale. It is therefore increasingly important for the policy makers to identify ways to leverage the benefits of renewable energy and at the same time preserve the availability, affordability and reliability of electricity. Several studies have explored the possibility of coordinating fossil fuel fired power plants with renewable energy. This report presents several options for the northern hemisphere.

La présente publication a été préparée dans le cadre du projet sur la « Promotion des investissements dans l’efficacité énergétique pour l’atténuation des changements climatiques et le développement durable », qui est financé par le Compte de l’ONU pour le développement et exécuté conjointementpar les cinq commissions régionales de l’ONU, avec la CEE comme chef de file. Cette publication meten vedette les meilleures pratiques dans les politiques visant à promouvoir l’efficacité énergétique dans la région de la CEE et ailleurs. Elle présente un cadre structuré de politiques et de mesures pour la promotion des investissements dans l’efficacité énergétique contribuant à l’atténuation deschangements climatiques et au développement durable, de même que pour l’élaboration d’un catalogue de politiques et de mesures destinées à améliorer l’efficacité énergétique. Les gouvernements, les milieux d’affaires, les experts, les concepteurs de projets et d’autres partiesprenantes voudront bien voir dans la présente publication un guide utile pour comprendre et suivre les UNECE.

Le présent Rapport est conçu comme un outil mis à la disposition des décideurs des pays les moins avancés (PMA) et de leurs partenaires de développement. Dans la première partie sont examinés l’évolution économique récente des PMA et les progrès accomplis par ces pays vers la réalisation des objectifs de développement quantitatifs énoncés dans le Programme d’action en faveur des pays les moins avancés pour la décennie 2001-2010 qui a été adopté à la troisième Conférence des Nations Unies sur les PMA (PMA III) tenue à Bruxelles en 2001. La deuxième partie porte sur le développement des capacités productives de ces pays. L’aperçu général résume les grandes lignes de l’argumentation à l’intention du lecteur pressé, puis les éléments de fond sur lesquels repose cette argumentation.

This report, aimed at policy makers from Asia and the Pacific, provides a historical perspective on regional energy connectivity and its implementation challenges, as well as outlining an action plan for accelerated regional energy integration to bring shared benefits to ESCAP’s member States. The report concludes that energy connectivity can increase the supply and reduce the cost of energy, while lowering its social and environmental costs and addressing the challenges of energy security. Regional cooperation in energy has been evolving mainly through five subregional clusters –– South-East Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, North-East Asia, and the Pacific. A great many resources have been spent on bringing the subregions together; however, overall results remain below the potential. One of the main reasons for the slow progress is the decision-making process for cross-border projects. Energy markets do not connect by themselves; in the next few decades, actions will be needed to build physical energy networks, institutional connectivity and, most importantly, trust between nations to meet the Region’s two most important challenges — overcoming energy poverty and mitigating climate change. Governments, policymakers, and experts must work together in partnership with the private sector to provide sustainable energy for all by 2050 by connecting Asian energy networks and building institutions of integration. ESCAP is in a unique position to lead such a transformative partnership for ensuring that regional energy connectivity creates incentive structures and institutions to deliver cost-effective energy for the entire Region. It is time to build energy connectivity for an interdependent Asia and the Pacific –– prosperous and connected –– thus ending Asian economic dependence on a single source or a single fuel.

The Least Developed Countries Report 2013 analyses the employment challenge of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Demographic projections indicate that around 225 million people in LDCs will be entering the labour force until 2030. Hence, creating sufficient and decent employment opportunities for all will be a real challenge. However, recent experience shows that the link between growth and employment in LDCs is not automatic. The LDC Report 2013 aims to raise awareness and galvanize the attention of policymakers to the magnitude of the problem. It also reviews and analyses recent labour market performance of the LDCs, compares it with the future needs in relation to job creation, and elaborates concrete policy recommendations for growth with employment.

This report assesses recent trends in growth and poverty in the least developed countries (LDCs), as well as changes in terms of development partnership. It discusses the fact that rapid economic growth in the LDCs has been associated with a slow rate of poverty reduction and slow progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. The report also considers progress towards country-owned development strategies in LDCs and the role of recipient- led aid management policies at the country level as a practical policy mechanism to strengthen country ownership.

Natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), has clear environmental benefits over other, more carbon-intensive fossil fuels. Substituting other fossil fuels by natural gas can substantially reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and of other pollutants (particulate matter, and oxides of nitrogen and sulfur) and contribute to the decarbonisation policy objectives. Regasification terminals can play a key role in ensuring security of supply, diversification of supply, as well as enabling the integration of renewable energy. This publication looks into a case study in truck loading.

The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Energy (SEEA-Energy) is a multi-purpose, conceptual framework for organizing energy-related statistical information. It supports analysis of the role of energy within the economy and of the relationship between energy-related activities and the environment.

This publication represents the final report of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Resources (UNFC) Mapping Task Force, however it should be seen as an interim step in an ongoing process. In particular, the mapping work was completed in the context of proposed changes to some of the definitions of the UNFC and, as these changes have yet to be adopted, it is therefore provisional in that sense. Further, it is recognized that as more detailed mapping work is undertaken, it may be necessary to make some adjustments to the mapping between systems. Key conclusions and specific recommendations are outlined in the publication.

This synthesis publication contains lessons from assessments of interlinkages, trade-offs and benefits in managing water, energy and land/agriculture, as well as protecting the environment in transboundary basins in Southern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and North Africa. These have been drawn from the collective experience of Parties to the Water Convention and other States, joint bodies, as well as other stakeholders who participated in these nexus assessments. The synthesis publication consolidates the methodology for assessment of nexus issues and for identification of solutions in transboundary basins, developed under the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes in 2013-2015, which so far has been applied in seven basins. The publication was developed in response to the decision by the Meeting of the Parties in 2015 to promote the application of the methodology in other basins worldwide by sharing experience. The publication also aims to foster follow-up action to the nexus assessments. Coherence between sectoral policies, but also with environment and climate policies, and integrated planning are major challenges for many countries. Related shortcomings result in negative impacts causing friction between riparian countries, in inefficiencies at different levels and missed opportunities for more sustainable and cooperative development. The international community explicitly calls for a nexus approach to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The assessments applying the methodology provide a better basis to address these challenges, firstly by a structured analysis, considering technical aspects and governance across sectors, and, secondly, by an intersectoral transboundary dialogue. The resulting insights can also help reinforce national efforts to optimize resource use, including increasing efficiency, improve policy coherence and achieve co-management benefits. The main audience are sectoral authorities of countries seeking to initiate, broaden or revisit transboundary cooperation; regional organizations and cooperation organizations; International organizations and bilateral development partners.

Criteria and indicators constitute an increasingly common policy tool to implement sustainable forest management (SFM) and to define clear priorities and targets. This should improve monitoring, reporting and assessment of key aspects of SFM performance. These guidelines provide specific concepts, definitions, tools and reference materials to guide the development process of national criteria and indicator sets for SFM. These guidelines have been developed to support the project “Accountability Systems for Sustainable Forest Management in the Caucasus and Central Asia” which is implemented through the UNECE and FAO Forestry and Timber Section and funded through the UN Development Account. The guidelines and the methods described within are used and applied for the development of national criteria and indicator sets for sustainable forest management in Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The guidelines might be also relevant for other countries.

The present publication surveys academic and policy-oriented literature on the relationship between the environmental, social and human health impacts of textile production and processing, on the one hand, and the extent to which information about such impacts reaches the final consumer. In doing so it examines the incidence of purchases of textile and apparel that may incorporate parts and components coming from environmentally harmful production processes that may have health consequences for workers and consumers. It also delves into how the textile industry relates to the concepts of transparency, traceability, supply-chain mapping and sustainable sourcing. It further attempts to answer questions such as: are there economic gains to reap for businesses becoming sustainable? Are there innovative IT solutions to facilitate textile value chains’ transparency through traceability? Lastly, is there scope for recommending regulatory action on both the public and private sectors’ side?

This report focuses on the role of access to modern energy in economic structural transformation - a critical issue both for the least developed countries (LDCs) and for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report focuses on the particular circumstances, challenges and experiences of the LDCs. Second, the report focuses on transformative energy access - an approach to universal access that goes beyond basic household needs to provide the means for structural transformation of LDCs' economies through the development of more productive modern activities and sectors. Third, it shows the role of structural transformation in increasing energy access, by generating sufficient additional demand for electricity for productive uses. Finally, it presents new estimates of the investment costs of universal access to electricity and transformative energy access in LDCs.

Graduation is the process through which least developed countries (LDCs) cease to be members of the LDC category, in recognition of their advances in development. In principle, it marks a shift from dependency to a greater degree of self-sufficiency and emergence from the development "traps" which beset LDCs. However, the loss of access to international support measures (ISMs) tied to LDC status at graduation can give rise to important economic costs, including an estimated 3–4 per cent of export revenues in the case of trade preferences. During the 45 years since the establishment of the LDC category, only four countries have graduated from LDC status; and the Report's projections indicate that the target of half of the LDCs graduating by 2020 is unlikely to be met. This partly reflects the inadequacy of the existing ISMs. The projections also suggest a fundamental shift in the composition of the group, which by 2025 will consist almost entirely of African countries and include only one small-island economy. The Report argues that graduation should be viewed as part of a longer and broader development process, and emphasizes the need for "graduation with momentum" - an approach which goes beyond fulfilment of the statistical criteria for graduation to lay the foundations for future development. This means prioritizing structural transformation of the economy, development of productive capacities, upgrading technology and raising productivity. The Report highlights several policy areas essential to achieve "graduation with momentum" - rural transformation, industrial policy, science, technology and innovation policy, finance and macroeconomic policy, employment generation and women's empowerment. It calls on the international community to contribute by fulfilling their commitments in areas such as aid and technology. It also suggests possible revisions to the graduation criteria to reflect more appropriately issues such as structural transformation, environmental sustainability and gender equality.

The 2016 Electricity Profiles contains electricity profiles for about 230 countries and territories, providing detailed information on production, trade and consumption of electricity, net installed capacity and thermal power plant input and efficiency for most countries, on an internationally comparable basis. It is published by the United Nations Statistics Division with the aim of providing an overall picture of the electricity sector of such countries and areas. Electricity production and electric installed capacity are disaggregated by source, as coming from Combustible fuels, Hydro, Nuclear and Other sources; and by type of producer, whether from main activity producers or autoproducers.

This publication contains electricity profiles for about 230 countries and territories, providing detailed information on production, trade and consumption of electricity, net installed capacity and thermal power plant input and efficiency for most countries, on an internationally comparable basis. Electricity production and electric installed capacity are disagregated by source, as coming from Combustible fuels, Hydro, Nuclear and Other sources; and by type of producer, whether from main activity producers or autoproducers.

The 2014 Energy Balances publication presents energy data for over 200 countries and areas in a format which shows the overall picture of the yearly production, trade, transformation and consumption of energy products utilized in each country or area shown, for the years 2013 and 2014. Such a format, presented in a common energy unit, the Terajoule, is useful in assessing and analysing supply and consumption patterns across both products and countries in detail on an internationally comparable basis. It is the third issue of Energy Balances as a stand-alone publication, replacing the previous series of Energy Balances and Electricity Profiles. The standards brought about by the International Recommendations for Energy Statistics (IRES) have been incorporated.

La présente étude recense et évalue les réserves palestiniennes existantes et potentielles de pétrole et de gaz naturel qui pourraient être exploitées au profit des Palestiniens, mais qu'Israël les empêche de mettre en valeur ou exploite pour son propre compte au mépris du droit international.

This publication provides a snapshot of the progress being made to adopt and implement key actions that can significantly improve air quality.

The Least Developed Countries are a group of 50 countries that have been identified as “least developed” in terms of their low GDP, their weak human assets and their high degree of economic vulnerability. The 2007 edition of the Report focuses on national and international policies that promote knowledge as a catalytic input to the development of productive capacities in the Least Developed Countries. The Report discusses mechanisms and policies to enhance technology transfers to these countries; the role of intellectual property rights and related incentive systems; and the ways in which foreign aid can be used to promote technological learning and innovation capabilities in the Least Developed Countries.

La réalisation des objectifs en matière d’énergie durable énoncés dans le Programme de développement durable à l’horizon 2030 (Programme 2030) n’est pas en bonne voie, que ce soit à l’échelle mondiale ou dans la région couverte par la Commission économique des Nations Unies pour l’Europe (CEE). À moins d’une accélération significative des efforts et des résultats pour assurer un accès de qualité à une énergie abordable répondant aux impératifs environnementaux, sociaux et économiques du Programme 2030, la communauté internationale ne sera pas à la hauteur de ses ambitions et ne parviendra pas à respecter ses engagements. Telles sont les conclusions brutales du rapport 2017 sur le Cadre mondial de suivi, préparé par la Banque mondiale et l’Agence internationale de l’énergie avec l’appui d’un grand nombre d’organisations et d’organismes des Nations Unies, y compris les cinq commissions régionales de l’ONU. La CEE a coopéré avec les autres commissions régionales afin de préparer des analyses et un rapport régional plus détaillé en complément du rapport mondial.

The Least Developed Countries Report 2002 is in two parts. The first part reviews recent economic trends and assesses the progress in the 1990s towards fulfillment of development targets contained in the Programme of Action adopted by the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. The second part, on escaping the poverty trap, is the first analysis of poverty in all the LDCs. It is based on a new set of poverty estimates for LDCs that suggest that extreme poverty may have been under-estimated in the poorest countries, particularly in Africa, and over-estimated in other countries. The Report examines the reasons why extreme poverty is pervasive and persistent in most LDCs, and the implications for the design of poverty reduction strategies and international policy. An important discovery of the Report is the close link between primary commodity dependence and extreme poverty.

The UNECE Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane (CMM) has released the second edition of the Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines. Since the first edition was published in 2010, the industry practice and regulations have evolved, and this second edition captures the most critical developments. The second edition also includes additional case studies that illustrate the application of the best practices in coal mines worldwide. The principles-based second edition of Best Practice Guidance does not replace national or international laws and regulations. Rather, it complements them through a holistic approach to safer and more effective methane management practices.

This report, developed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in cooperation Asian Development Bank, offers an evidence-based look at progress at the regional and country level, providing an overview of long-term trends since 1990, and focuses on progress achieved in the most recent period, 2012–2014. Furthermore, it examines the key drivers behind progress, as well as identifies major challenges to achieving energy access, efficiency, and renewable energy objectives. Evidence is drawn from the Global Tracking Framework (GTF) data, as well as other international sources to provide a comprehensive view of progress in light of regional and national contexts. A strong focus is also placed on examining national policy frameworks and offering case studies to illustrate national approaches to common challenges faced by countries advancing the sustainable energy agenda.

Effective and efficient housing management is important to support the implementation of key UN agreements, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the New Urban Agenda and the Geneva UN Charter on Sustainable Housing. Efficient housing management results in economic benefits and decent housing conditions for inhabitants of condominiums. Housing management, through housing refurbishment programmes, protects the environment and contributes to decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, which supports the efforts of governments and stakeholders to address climate change.

The United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) is a global classification and management system applicable to mineral, petroleum, nuclear fuel, renewable energy and anthropogenic resources, as well as injection projects for geological storage. Since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), managing energy and raw material resources in a sustainable manner has become paramount to all stakeholders including governments, industry, investors and communities. This updated version of UNFC is intended to satisfy the requirements of different resource sectors and applications, as well as making it fully aligned to the sustainable resource management called for by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The key changes, including the normalization of the text, make UNFC applicable for all resources.

This study, focusing primarily on the period from the collapse of the Soviet Union until the present day, identifies the key drivers of forest degradation and the potential for forest landscape restoration in the Caucasus and Central Asia. The study was undertaken to support the preparation of restoration pledges in the eight countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia in the run up to the Ministerial Roundtable on Forest Landscape Restoration and the Bonn Challenge in the Caucasus and Central Asia that took place in June 2018 in Astana, Kazakhstan. At this Roundtable Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan committed to restore over 2.5 million ha of forest landscapes by 2030.

Le rôle des micro, petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME) dans la fourniture de produits économes en énergie et dans la fourniture d'équipements d'énergie renouvelable peut devenir crucial dans la phase de reprise post-COVID-19 si elles reçoivent les incitations nécessaires. Cela peut être l'un des moyens de redémarrer les MPME ou même d'en créer de nouvelles lorsque les opportunités d'emploi sont rares. Cette étude comprend une analyse de l'environnement auquel les MPME sont confrontées à la suite de COVID-19 ; les meilleures pratiques dans le domaine de l'efficacité énergétique et des énergies renouvelables qui montrent comment les MPME peuvent réagir ; les mesures que les MPME peuvent entreprendre pour fournir des produits économes en énergie ; et des recommandations sur la création d'un environnement pour les MPME afin de faciliter une reprise conforme aux objectifs de développement durable.

Countries in the Asia-Pacific region are confronted by a series of challenges in securing their energy needs into the future, and power grid interconnection offers a significant part of the solution. Connectivity enables a range of technical, economic, social and environmental benefits while potentially reducing system vulnerabilities and improving energy security. This report presents a strategy towards the creation of a region-wide electricity market built on a unified grid. It provides contextual analyses of the benefits and challenges to grid interconnection, outlines the current status of existing connectivity efforts, and investigates the functions of institutions in promoting regional power connectivity. It offers a roadmap consisting of nine strategies, suggesting key milestones, timeframes and responsible entities for each. These strategies were presented to the Second Session of ESCAP’s Committee on Energy in October 2019 and the Road Map was presented to the 76th session of the Commission in May 2020.

Coal production, transportation, storage and use account for roughly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas with a 100-year global warming potential 25 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2) and a 100-year global temperature potential 6-fold greater than CO2, once released from coal seams in which it is trapped creates number of problems even after cessation of mining activities. Following mine closure, methane emissions decrease, but do not stop completely. This publication presents recommended principles and standards for effective methane recovery and use from abandoned coal mines.

Cette publication de synthèse contient des leçons tirées des évaluations des interconnexions, des compromis et des avantages de la gestion de l’eau, de l’énergie et des terres / agriculture, ainsi que de la protection de l’environnement dans les bassins transfrontaliers d’Europe du Sud, du Caucase, d’Asie centrale et d’Afrique du Nord. Celles-ci ont été tirées de l’expérience collective des Parties à la Convention sur l’eau et d’autres États, organes conjoints, ainsi que d’autres parties prenantes qui ont participé à ces évaluations du lien. La publication de synthèse consolide la méthodologie d’évaluation des problèmes de connexion et d’identification de solutions dans les bassins transfrontières, élaborée dans le cadre de la Convention sur la protection et l’utilisation des cours d’eau transfrontières et des lacs internationaux en 2013-2015.

Geospatial information has been providing far-reaching solutions to pressing issues facing humanity, ranging from health, education, food security, agriculture, to disaster risk reduction and resilience-building. The effective integration of geospatial data, existing statistics and ground-based information and exploiting new data sources, analytics, and tools has proven instrumental to deliver timely information necessary for governments, businesses, communities and citizens to make evidenced-based decisions. However, despite advances in the availability and quality of geospatial information, several gaps and challenges remain on the effective use of geospatial information. To address this, this compendium demonstrates the diverse use for geospatial information and applications and the vital role that they will continue to play in the future.

This publication is the fourth in a series of pocketbook compilations on energy statistics designed to highlight the availability of data on various aspects of energy production, transformation and use and its linkages to other key statistics. Energy is central to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change, and sound energy statistics are the basis for the reliable measurement of progress, thereby assisting the formulation of policy measures to achieve international and national sustainable development goals.

The Model Legislative Provisions and the Legislative Guide on Public-Private Partnerships were prepared by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and adopted at its fifty-second session (Vienna, 8-19 July 2019). In addition to representatives of member States of the Commission, representatives of many other States and of several international organizations, both intergovernmental and non-governmental, participated actively in the preparatory work. The Model Legislative Provisions translate into legislative language the advice given in the recommendations contained in the Legislative Guide. The Model Legislative Provisions are intended to assist in the establishment of a legislative framework favourable to public-private partnerships (PPPs). The Model Legislative Provisions follow the corresponding notes in the Legislative Guide, which offer an analytical introduction with references to financial, regulatory, legal, policy and other issues raised in the subject area. The user is advised to read the Model Legislative Provisions together with the Legislative Guide, which provide background information to enhance understanding of the legislative recommendations. The Model Legislative Provisions deal with matters that it is important to address in legislation specifically concerned with PPPs. They do not deal with other areas of law that, as discussed in the Legislative Guide, also have an impact on PPPs. Moreover, the successful implementation of PPPs typically requires various measures beyond the establishment of an appropriate legislative framework, such as adequate administrative structures and practices, organizational capability, technical expertise, appropriate human and financial resources and economic stability.

This guidance has been developed in the framework of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention). Its objective is to clarify whether and in what circumstances lifetime extensions of nuclear power plants require a transboundary environmental impact assessment in accordance with the Convention. Thus, the guidance aims to assist Parties in the practical application of the Convention and to support the Implementation Committee in reviewing compliance by Parties with their obligations under the Convention, with a view to assisting them in fully meeting their commitments.

This volume investigates the status of regional integration in Southern Africa. It discusses the critical challenges to be overcome and surveys the most interesting opportunities for achieving deeper regional integration. The publication is divided into in three parts. The first is on structural transformation and the role of regional integration; the second is on the enablers of regional integration; and the third consists of case studies on regional value chains.

L'énergie sous-tend le développement des économies et la plupart des buts et objectifs de l'Agenda 2030 pour le développement durable (Agenda 2030). Le secteur de l'énergie joue un rôle essentiel dans la recherche de solutions pour le développement durable et l'atténuation des changements climatiques. Depuis l'accord universel sur les dix-sept objectifs de développement durable (ODD), y compris l'objectif 7 sur l'énergie durable en 2015, les pays ont commencé à appliquer l'Agenda 2030. Toutefois, à ce stade, il existe un décalage entre les objectifs énergétiques et climatiques convenus et les stratégies et systèmes mis en place aujourd'hui pour les atteindre. Des stratégies et des politiques accélérées et plus ambitieuses seront nécessaires pour combler les lacunes persistantes afin de réaliser l'Agenda 2030 et, en particulier, l'énergie devra jouer un rôle croissant dans les divers OMD. Si les lacunes ne sont pas comblées d'urgence, il faudra prendre des mesures plus radicales et plus coûteuses pour éviter des mesures d'adaptation extrêmes et, potentiellement, irrécupérables. Actuellement, il existe de nombreuses interprétations différentes de ce qu'est l'"énergie durable". Les pays de la région de la Commission économique des Nations Unies pour l'Europe (CEE) ne se sont pas encore mis d'accord sur une voie collective pour parvenir à l'énergie au service du développement durable. Pour la région de la CEE, il existe une occasion importante d'étudier les incidences des différentes filières énergétiques durables et de travailler ensemble à l'élaboration et au déploiement de politiques et de mesures visant à réaliser l'Agenda 2030. C'est pourquoi le Comité de l'énergie durable (le Comité) a lancé ce projet phare, Pathways to Sustainable Energy (le projet).