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.