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ECE Energy Series
Towards a Hydrogen Economy in the UNECE Region
The publication proposes a method for hydrogen classification needed to jumpstart production and international trade in hydrogen. It also presents several project ideas in selected UNECE member States that would accelerate deployment of hydrogen.
Building Resilient Energy Systems
Achieving Greater Energy Security, Affordability and Net-Zero in the UNECE Region
The ECE Region is at a crossroads and the time is NOW for Member States to put in place policies to drive action that will build a resilient energy system that acknowledges the need for affordable access to energy for quality of life and economic growth minimizes the environmental impact of the system to create sustainability and meet carbon emission goals while securing the supply necessary to support society’s needs. The Expert Groups under the UNECE’s Committee for Sustainable Energy (CSE) have collaborated to produce a technical roadmap to balance competing priorities in recognition of today’s very real climate security and affordability challenges. It respects Member States’ rights to make decisions that meet their own priorities and as such does not prescribe the specific path forward but lays out the technical considerations that are in critical need of balance at this point in time.
Sustainable Hydrogen Production Pathways in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia
Hydrogen is much talked about as an innovative solution to attain carbon neutrality and decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors. The UNECE project on sustainable hydrogen production pathways in CIS countries mobilizes policymakers and experts from the project beneficiary countries for an inclusive and transparent dialogue to advance sustainable hydrogen on agenda raise awareness and discuss what does it take to jumpstart a hydrogen economy in Central Asia. According to this study the potential production of low carbon hydrogen in all considered countries is about 3.4-13.2 Mt of hydrogen annually by 2040. The potential production varies widely within each country reflecting uncertainties under both the minimum and maximum scenarios. The potential production values are determined by the presence of own reserves of natural gas and by the pace of renewable energy development. These elements are most present in the group of Caspian countries exporting natural gas (Azerbaijan Turkmenistan) and in the group of Central Asian countries actively reforming their economies towards low-carbon development (Kazakhstan Uzbekistan).
Energy Transition and the Post-COVID-19 Socioeconomic Recovery: Role of Women and Impact on Them
There are several pathways through which energy systems are transitioning to a decarbonized sustainable economy. The development and implementation of these technologies are being driven by innovation in a wide variety of technologies. Now that most economies are emerging governments are focused on driving a sustainable socioeconomic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic but there is an endemic issue which must be addressed. The energy sector is missing out on the experiences skills and talents of much of half the human population which severely constrains the sustainable energy transition. In addition to a larger skilled workforce there are several advantages in bridging the gender gap within the energy sector. Gender disparities in the energy sector have been observed around the world. Women are less represented in policymaking corporate leadership and governance as entrepreneurs and venture capitalists and in the labour workforce. These barriers are surmountable using a two-way complementary approach which is simultaneously bottom-up - action by women and society to bridge the gap of gender inequality in the energy sector – and top-down – government and policymakers need to develop policy tools to encourage women’s participation in the energy sector. This paper is summarising key findings from a report and empirical case studies of five United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) member States: Albania Belarus Ukraine the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan.
United Nations Resource Management System
Principles and Requirements
The multifaceted requirements of sustainable development depend on optimal and responsible production and use of natural resources. The United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) provides the framework for integrated and sustainable management of natural resources to promote good social environmental and economic outcomes in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNRMS is based on the United Nations Framework Classification of Resources (UNFC) and provides a sustainable transition pathway for producing using and reusing natural resources to become engines of sustainable development.
Carbon Neutrality Through Synergies Between Gas and Renewable Energy
The publication shows how gas provides affordably the required flexibility to enable the integration of higher shares of VRE in the energy mix. The publication enlarges the scope of the renewable energy concept to cover not only renewable electricity but also renewable gases. It contains two parts. The first focuses on the short term and the use of flexible cost-competitive and agile natural gas-fired generation as enabler of variable renewable energy (VRE) sources integration. This second part discusses phase is based on the hybrid energy system concept which envisages the use of new gases(renewable decarbonised and low carbon) together with the sectoral integration concept and other technologies (e.g. DSM DER CCS etc.) as pillars to advance in VRE penetration while significantly reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. The publication concludes with a number of recommendations aimed to guide UNECE member States in subsequently developing a coherent policy and regulatory frameworks to renewable energy across the region on a secure competitive and resilient manner.
Carbon Neutrality in the UNECE Region: Technology Interplay under the Carbon Neutrality Concept
This publication calls for ambitious and bold action from governments the private sector and regulators. Development of technologies will require new regulatory frameworks to support immediate commercialization. Policy frameworks should also incorporate legally binding commitments for increased international technology transfer harmonized standards and definitions for ‘green’ hydrogen energy efficiency and conservation. All decisions should be assessed against existing and upcoming net-zero and climate neutrality targets with all energy infrastructure built to be net-zero compliant. Integrating innovative energy technologies alongside the transformation of energy markets and downstream industries is a challenge and an opportunity.
Carbon Neutrality in the UNECE Region: Integrated Life-cycle Assessment of Electricity Sources
Well-informed energy policy design is key to reaching decarbonization targets and keep global climate change under a 2°C threshold. In particular low-carbon electricity provision for all is essential as the IPCC shows that the most ambitious climate mitigation scenarios entail the electrification of most of our economy. Therefore understanding the full scale of potential impacts from current and future electricity generation is required in order to avoid “impact leakage” i.e. increasing non-climate environmental pressure while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Life cycle assessment allows the evaluation of a product over its life cycle and across a wide range of environmental indicators – this method was chosen to report on the environmental profiles of various technologies. Candidate technologies assessed include coal natural gas hydropower nuclear power concentrated solar power (CSP) photovoltaics and wind power. Twelve global regions included in the assessment allowing to vary load factors methane leakage rates or background grid electricity consumption among other factors. With no exception every electricity generation technology generates environmental impacts over its life cycle; and these impacts may vary widely with implementation site and other design choices. Proper energy policy should consider site-specificity by conducting lifecycle assessments that consider local conditions and potential prospective changes.
Best Practice Guidance for Effective Management of Coal Mine Methane at National Level
Monitoring, Reporting, Verification and Mitigation
While Methane (CH4) is the second most prevalent anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) after carbon dioxide (CO2) the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the former is 28-34 times higher than that of the latter. Coal mining is a major source of methane emissions accounting for about 12% of global total anthropogenic emissions of that gas. Most emissions come from underground working mines but those from abandoned mines are raising. Action on methane requires a solid understanding of emission sources at national subnational and local levels. Only with reliable emissions data can policymakers design effective GHG policies evaluate mitigation opportunities and comply with their international climate commitments. National monitoring reporting and verification (MRV) programs can not only help countries better understand the contribution of coal mining to their overall methane and GHG emissions but also identify opportunities for mitigation. In particular MRV can help assess and track the effectiveness of the adopted climate policies. Setting up efficient MRV schemes is also important to deliver on international climate commitments in the context of the Paris Agreement.
Towards Sustainable Renewable Energy Investment and Deployment
Trade-offs and Opportunities With Water Resources and the Environment
This toolkit for renewable energy policy-makers and investors builds on the work already done by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) towards sustainably increasing renewable energy investments and improving cross-sectoral planning in decision-making processes. The Renewable Energy Hard Talk events held in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2018) and Serbia (2019) included a Nexus component for this purpose. Substantively the approach used drew from the nexus assessment work under the ECE Water Convention and evolved into a list of criteria for sustainable renewable energy policies and investment initiatives that bring multiple benefits across sectors and countries while minimizing trade-offs including with other water uses and environment protection.
United Nations Resource Management System
An Overview of Concepts, Objectives and Requirements
The United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) is designed as a unifying framework for the integrated management of resources. UNRMS is based on the globally accepted United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) which has incorporated a unique methodology of assessing resources through the triple lenses of environmental-social-economic viability project feasibility and level of knowledge. It is a voluntary global standard for integrated resource management within the framework of public public-private and civil society partnerships and is uniformly applicable to all resources.
Hard Talks in UNECE Countries on How to Increase Renewable Energy Uptake
This publication presents an overview of a series of "Hard Talks" held in Azerbaijan Bosnia and Herzegovina Georgia Kazakhstan Serbia and Ukraine in 2016-2019 organized by UNECE. They promoted demand-driven debates held in each country on what is needed to change for the private sector to invest in sustainable energy and substantially increase the uptake of renewable energy. Information and data included in this report are extracted from the activities which aimed to investigate barriers that hinder the full unfolding of renewable energy potential and facilitated an open exchange between political decision makers governmental officials project developers investors and technology providers.
Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Management in the Oil and Gas Sector
Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) and Mitigation
Oil and gas supplies will continue to play a key role in a future sustainable energy system to support economic growth and social progress even under a scenario in which stringent climate policies and measures are implemented. At the same time oil and gas industries are among the main sources of anthropogenic methane emissions. Methane is the primary component of natural gas with some emitted to the atmosphere during its production processing storage transmission distribution and use. Despite methane’s short residence time the fact that it has a much higher warming potential than CO2 and that its atmospheric volumes are continuously replenished make effective methane management a potentially important element in countries’ climate change mitigation strategies. This document provides guidance for developing and implementing effective monitoring reporting and verification (MRV) practices as well as for mitigating methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. In its discussion on MRV and mitigation opportunities it is meant to serve as a resource for a broad audience including owners and operators of oil and gas facilities and policymakers at all levels of government. It is intentionally “principles-based” recognizing that conditions vary greatly across oil and gas facilities and that legal political and institutional aspects differ by jurisdictions.
Promoting Energy Efficiency Standards and Technologies to Enhance Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Considerable progress in energy efficiency in the building sector is reported in the majority of the UNECE member States and still reaching the potential often falls short due to flawed policy frameworks and lack of public awareness on available modern technologies and education on long-term economic and social benefits of energy efficiency improvement. This publication is prepared in response to the outlined challenges and aims to elucidate the status of implementation of energy efficiency standards in buildings and deployment of appropriate technologies and to identify good policy practices and replicable solutions. It also proposes a set of general recommendations and priority actions arising from the analysis.
How Natural Gas can Support the Uptake of Renewable Energy
There is a strong medium-to-long-term future for gas so long as it wholeheartedly embraces the energy transition and partners with renewables to produce carbon-free products notably hydrogen whilst embracing carbon capture and storage (CCS). Gas has several key advantages. It is highly flexible and can be used for heating cooling cooking waste disposal and transportation as well as feedstock for chemicals fertilisers and pharmaceutical products. Moreover throughout most of the UNECE area there are already extensive distribution networks that enable gas to be transferred both across borders and within member states. These network can be adapted to carry hydrogen either mixed in with natural gas or as self-contained systems. They can also be used to distribute CO2.
Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Recovery and Use from Abandoned Coal Mines
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. They initially decline but can later stabilize and maintain a near-constant rate for an extended period of time. The document presents recommended principles and standards for effective methane recovery and use from abandoned coal mines in a clear and succinct way providing decision-makers with a solid base of understanding from which to direct policy and commercial decisions. The Best Practice Guidance does not replace or supersede laws and regulations or other legally binding instruments whether national or international. The principles outlined therein are intended to complement existing legal and regulatory frameworks and to support development of safer and more effective practices where industry practice and regulation continue to evolve. At the same time being envisioned primarily as a tool to support performance- and principle-based regulatory programmes the Best Practice Guidance can also complement more prescriptive regulation and support transition to performance-based regulation.
Pathways to Sustainable Energy
Accelerating Energy Transition in the UNECE Region
Energy underpins the development of economies and most of the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda). The energy sector plays a critical role in finding solutions for both sustainable development and climate change mitigation. Since the universal agreement on the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including the goal on sustainable energy SDG 7 in 2015 countries have commenced with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. However at this stage there is a gap between the agreed energy and climate targets and the strategies and systems that are being put in place today to achieve them. Accelerated and more ambitious strategies and policies will be needed to fill the persistent gaps to achieve the 2030 Agenda and in particular energy will need to play an increasing role across various SDGs. If gaps are not addressed urgently more drastic and expensive action will be required to avoid extreme and potentially unrecoverable adaptation measures. Currently there are many different interpretations of what is “sustainable energy”. Countries in the region of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) have not yet agreed on a collective pathway to achieve energy for sustainable development. For the ECE region there is an important opportunity to explore the implications of different sustainable energy pathways and to work together on developing and deploying policies and measures to attain the 2030 Agenda. This is why the Committee on Sustainable Energy (the Committee) initiated this flagship project “Pathways to Sustainable Energy” (the project). The objective of the project is the development of strategies and actions to ensure the attainment of sustainable energy in the ECE region . The project’s goal is to strengthen the knowledge and capacities of countries to develop implement and track national sustainable energy policies aligned with their commitments on climate change and sustainable development and to understand the objectives and actions of other countries. The project aims to contribute concretely to climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
United Nations Framework Classification for Resources
Update 2019
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.
Progress in the Areas of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Selected Countries of the UNECE Region
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.
Redesigning the Uranium Resource Pathway
Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources for Planning and Implementing Sustainable Uranium Projects
The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has made it essential to have a ground-up review of all resources and that this indispensable for the successful delivery of all goals notably for SDG 7 on access to affordable reliable sustainable and modern energy for all and SDG 13 on climate action. The energy and climate-related goals have a bearing on uranium resources one of the clean low-carbon energy sources. This report shows how uranium resources could create a platform for innovative engagement with the integrated challenge of natural resource management and climate action. The United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) the comprehensive resource management scheme provides the necessary tools and conditions for the redesign of the uranium resource pathway. This report argues that the conventional model of uranium as a mineral commodity needs to give way to a new model of uranium as a “critical energy material” for meeting the global sustainability objectives on energy and climate action.
Removing Barriers to the Use of Natural Gas as Maritime Transportation Fuel
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been used as fuel for ships for decades but quality standards are still under development. The UNECE Group of Experts on Gas created in 2015 a task force on removing barriers to the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel. This report summarises the findings to date on the main barriers to the use of gas in maritime transportation. It considered not only gas-fuelled ships but the supply chain as well. The report demonstrates that in order to allow the use of LNG as marine fuel to grow six key enablers need to be in place: 1) easy access to LNG 2) reliable and safe logistics 3) legal certainty 4) favourable investment climate 5) competence knowledge and skills and 6) public acceptance.
Global Tracking Framework
UNECE Progress in Sustainable Energy
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) regional Global Tracking Framework report is part of a series of multi-agency assessments that monitor progress towards the three Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) objectives. This first edition of the report builds upon the 2017 Global Tracking Framework report by tracking the indicators of each SDG 7 objective within the UNECE sub-regions. The report then goes further to identify the current status of sustainable energy across a broader set of energy indicators identifies key issues along the energy value chain and highlights UNECE country responses to initiate change. The report further argues that this broader set of energy indicators is required to comprehensively track energy for sustainable development.
Coordinated Operations of Flexible Coal and Renewable Energy Power Plants
Challenges and Opportunities
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.
Best Practice Policy Guidance for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Small Scale LNG - Truck Loading
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.
Overcoming Barriers to Investing in Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is widely viewed as one of the most effective ways to achieve multiple economic social and environmental benefits and is at a core of making significant progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. This publication presents the outcome of a survey among the energy efficiency practitioners on the challenges and solutions for overcoming barriers to energy efficiency investments. The primary geographic focus is the UNECE region comprising 56 member States from Western Europe (members and non-members of the European Union) North America (Canada and the United States) South-East Europe Eastern Europe the Caucasus Central Asia Israel Turkey and the Russian Federation. This is a joint effort by the UNECE and the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency. The analysis of the survey and its conclusions and recommendations will serve as a useful tool for energy efficiency community. Policy makers can apply the results to the situation in their countries and find approaches to improve investment climate for energy efficiency.
Guidelines for Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) to Uranium and Thorium Resources
The purpose of the document is to provide non-mandatory guidance for the application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources 2009 (UNFC) to uranium and thorium resources. These Guidelines are intended to assist all those responsible for finding classifying quantifying financing permitting mining and processing these minerals such that they are fit to enter the nuclear fuel cycle. The Guidelines help to align the various resource classification systems currently in use for uranium and thorium resource management and reporting such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)/International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ‘Red Book’ resource reporting scheme and various national systems in a coherent and consistent manner.
Best Policy Practices for Promoting Energy Efficiency
A Structured Framework of Best Practices in Policies to Promote Energy Efficiency for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Development
This is the second edition of the Best Policy Practices for Promoting Energy Efficiency publication prepared in the framework of the United Nations Development Account project “Promoting Energy Efficiency Investments for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Development”. It provides additional exemplars of the best policy practices for promoting energy efficiency in UNECE region and beyond. The objective of the publication is to present a structured framework of policies and measures to promote energy efficiency investments for climate change mitigation and sustainable development as well as to develop a menu of energy efficiency policies and measures.
Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) to Geothermal Energy Resources
Selected Case Studies
This publication includes a set of 14 case studies on the application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) to geothermal energy from Australia Germany Hungary Iceland Italy the Netherlands New Zealand the Philippines and Russian Federation. The case studies presented here illustrate the application of the geothermal energy specifications for the uniform use of UNFC in different contexts. These application examples from different countries provide a range of scenarios in the classification of geothermal resources in a manner consistent with the classification of other energy resources.
European Gas Market Developments
Assessment of Market Trends in Liquefied Natural Gas
This report provides insights and guidance on developments and needs in the natural gas market. The report drafted by the Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs for the UNECE Group of Experts on Gas and in collaboration with a broad range of natural gas stakeholders from the UNECE region highlights demand and supply trends for natural gas and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and suggests areas where policy makers can support the development of LNG infrastructure and markets that can contribute to sustainable development.
Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines (Second Edition)
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.
Development of Energy Service Companies Market and Policies
Mitigating Climate Change Through Investments in Fossil Fuel Technologies
A Synthesis Report Based on National Case Studies from Afghanistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan
Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 to Nuclear Fuel Resources - Selected Case Studies
Pathways to Sustainable Energy
Exploring Alternative Outcomes
Best Policy Practices for Promoting Energy Efficiency
A Structured Framework of Best Practices in Policies to Promote Energy Efficiency for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Development
Analysis of National Case Studies on Policy Reforms to Promote Energy Efficiency Investments
Synthesis Report Based on Case Studies from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, China, Croatia, Egypt, Georgia, Kuwait, Montenegro, Morocco, South Africa, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, Zambia
United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 Incorporating Specifications for its Application
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.
Investor Interest and Capacity Building Needs
This Report has been prepared in the framework of the Financing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Investments for Climate Change Mitigation project. The Financing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Investments for Climate Change Mitigation project assists the countries of South-Eastern Europe Eastern Europe and Central Asia to enhance their energy efficiency diminish fuel poverty and reduce air pollution such as greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet international environmental treaty obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It aims to provide a pipeline of new and existing projects dedicated to public-private partnership investment funds. It will establish an expanded and enhanced network of selected municipalities and energy managers and will provide case study investment projects in renewable energy technologies electric power and clean coal technologies.
United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009
Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines
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.
Energy Security Cooperation
This publication on “Energy Security Cooperation” responds to the request of the Committee on Sustainable Energy made at its sixteenth annual session in 2007 to carry out an appraisal of the potential role that international cooperation can play in meeting the energy security goals of UNECE countries. The publication also responds to another Committee decision taken at the eighteenth annual session in 2009 requesting that the assessment be published.
Financing Global Climate Change Mitigation
Mapping of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Resources
Report of the Economic Commission for Europe Task Force on Mapping
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.
Investing in Energy Security Risk Mitigation
Developments in the energy markets particularly for hydrocarbons over the last decade have contributed to an increased sense of vulnerability among countries about the future availability of reasonable priced energy. As a result energy security is once again uppermost in the minds of the general public and policymakers. Therefore investing in future energy sources to meet the growing global demand for energy is likely to remain a major preoccupation of countries for the foreseeable future. The publication addresses challenges facing the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region in achieving a secure and sustainable energy future. It discusses government roles in energy investment methods of financing energy projects performance of national oil companies and four country case studies and presents conclusions and recommendations on energy security including on infrastructure investment and financing.
Emerging Global Energy Security Risks
This publication is the result of the analyses and discussions conducted by the Energy Security Forum on the global dimensions of emerging energy security risks facing UNECE member States. It presents global energy security risks from three different points of view: the European Union the Russian Federation and from North America. It also examines how the Caspian Sea region can contribute to energy supply diversification. It reviews the energy transport corridors new infrastructure transmissions systems and investment requirements needed to accomplish this.
Financing Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Mitigation
A Guide for Investors in Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine
This report is part of a series of publications that review the performance of multilateral institutions in promoting and financing energy efficiency improvements in selected economies in transition. The cases of Belarus Bulgaria Kazakhstan Russian Federation and Ukraine are presented. These are the five participating countries of the Energy Efficiency Investment Project Development for Climate Change Mitigation project.
Refonte de la Tarification et du Subventionnement de l’Energy
Cette brochure présente des directives générales à l’usage des décideurs lors de la réforme des systèmes nationaux de tarification et de subvention de l’énergie. Les lignes directrices suggèrent les meilleures options politiques ainsi que des mesures visant à atténuer pleinement l’impact de la hausse des prix de l’énergie sur les moins aptes à les absorber. Ils soulignent également les mesures politiques et les outils connexes pour un ajustement flexible des prix de l’énergie et l’élimination des subventions néfastes. Ceci est une publication trilingue en anglais français et russe.
Energy Efficiency and Energy Security in the CIS
This study assesses the potential for energy conservation in CIS member countries to the year 2010 and explains how improvements in energy efficiency of member countries could contribute to enhancing their energy security. Achieving even part of the large energy conservation thought to be possible would have important environmental benefits since much of the savings would come from fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This study recommends a series of linked solutions to be implemented in stages as short medium and long-term activities to achieve energy efficiency goals.