Industrial energy efficiency vital for sustainable development – UN report

A new United Nations report launched today urges investment in energy-efficient technologies to help achieve sustainable growth and tackle a host of global challenges from climate change to poverty reduction. 

The Industrial Development Report, the flagship publication of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), states that industrial energy efficiency is key to sustainable development. 

Sustainable energy production is also essential to overcome the major challenges the world faces today, according to the report, which was launched at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 

“A world that has just reached a population of seven billion must take into account industrial energy efficiency if it wants to address such challenges as green growth, employment generation, security, climate change, food production and poverty reduction,” UNIDO Director-General Kandeh K. Yumkella said as he presented the report. 

“Industrial energy efficiency is essential for strengthening economies, protecting ecosystems and achieving social benefits,” he added. 

Mr. Yumkella noted that improving industrial energy efficiency is key to sustainable industrial development worldwide but especially in the rapidly developing countries of the Global South. 

“It will help realize the global green economy and green industries. Investing in energy-efficient technologies, systems, processes, training and upgrading of skills must underpin low-carbon green growth,” he stated. 

The report is UNIDO’s main contribution to the Sustainable Energy for All initiative launched by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last year. The initiative seeks to ensure universal access to modern energy services, double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, all by 2030.

Original article published at www.uncsd2012.org

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