UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABILITY ENERGY FOR ALL (UN SE4ALL)

(Assignment towards the partial fulfilment of assessment in the subject of Energy Law)

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Jayesh Karnawat Dr. Rosmy Joan

Roll No. 1390 Faculty of Law

Semester VIII National Law University

B.B.A. LL.B (Hons.) Jodhpur

WINTER SEMESTER
(JANUARY-MAY 2020)
 INTRODUCTION

Sustainable development is not possible without sustainable energy. Nearly one person in
five on the planet still lacks access to electricity. Twice that number, almost three billion
people, rely on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating. This is a major
barrier to eradicating poverty and building shared prosperity. In industrialized countries, the
energy problem is one of waste and pollution, not shortages or access deficits. Throughout
the world, inefficient energy use harms economic productivity and mounting energy-related
emissions worsen the dangerous warming of our planet. Climate change puts us all at risk,
but it hurts the poor first - and worst. The key to both challenges is to provide sustainable
energy for all – energy that is accessible, cleaner and more efficient. Sustainable energy
provides new opportunities for growth. It enables businesses to grow, generates jobs, and
creates new markets. Children can study after dark. Clinics can store life-saving vaccines.
Countries can grow more resilient, competitive economies. With sustainable energy,
countries can leapfrog over the limits of the energy systems of the past and build the clean
energy economies of the future. Sustainable energy for all is an investment in our collective
future.

UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABILITY ENERGY FOR ALL (SE4A)

AGENDA

Sustainable development emerged as a major global issue back in the 1970 with the
publication of the report ‘Limits to Growth’ 1. In the 1980 and 1990 milestones such as the
Brundtland Report (Our Common Future) by the United Nations World Commission for
Environment and Development2 and the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 paved
the way to worldwide acknowledgement for the necessity of major changes related to
environmental and social pressures now felt as a global problem. Not only it gained public
recognition but achieved a stage of maturation, with new policies being created and
implemented at various scales.3

1
Meadows DH, Meadows DL, Randers J (2004) Limits to growth: the 30-year update. Chelsea Green
Publishing
2
United Nations (2015) Transforming our world: the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. United Nations
3
Vezzoli C, Ceschin F, Diehl JC (2015) ‘The goal of sustainable energy for all. SV J Cleaner Prod 97:134–136
2
More recently, the United Nations General Assembly designated the year 2012 as the
International Year of Sustainable Energy for All and unanimously declared 2014–2024 as the
Decade of Sustainable Energy for All. United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki Moon has
appointed a High-Level Group on the same topic, which delivered a Global Action Agenda
prior to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20). As Ban Ki Moon stated
launching the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative4

“Energy poverty is a threat to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

At the same time, we must move very rapidly toward a clean energy economy to
prevent the dangerous warming of our planet”

To continue pursuing the above efforts, expressed by the Sustainable Energy for All
Initiative, the Sustainable Development Goal number 7 of the Global Action Agenda 5
advocates for the need to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
for all. The SDG number 7 targets that by 2030 the following should have been achieved:

 Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services;

 Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix;
 Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency;
 Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and
technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner
fossil fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean
energy technology;
 Expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable
energy services for all in developing countries, least developed countries, small island
developing states and land-locked developing countries, in accordance with their
respective programmes of support.

A study conducted by Rogelj et al. 6 on the compatibility of the ‘Sustainable Energy for All’
initiative with a warming limit of 2 °C shows that achieving the three energy objectives could
provide an important entry point to climate protection, and that sustainability and poverty
eradication can go hand in hand with mitigating climate risks. However, the researchers warn
4
United Nations (2011) Sustainable energy for all: a vision statement (by Ban Ki-moon secretary-general of the
United Nations). United Nations
5
United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) (1987) Our common future.
Oxford University Press, UK
6
Rogelj J McCollum DL Riahi K (2013) The UN’s ‘sustainable energy for All’ initiative is compatible with a
warming limit of 2 °C, Nat Clim Change 3:545–551
3
that the likelihood of reaching climate targets within the scenarios depends as well on a
variety of other factors, including future energy demand growth, economic growth and
technological innovation. Therefore, securing energy for all within the existing environmental
boundaries requires further political measures and financial resources. According to Nilsson7

“Investment costs for these pathways are large but often profitable for society and most
of them have already been set in motion. Still, progress is slow and must be accelerated
at national and regional levels. Carbon pricing is necessary but not sufficient: beyond
this, governance responses need to be put in place to induce transitions through
scaling up a diversity of supply and demand options. White and green certificates, feed-
in tariffs, technology standards and removal of fossil subsidies are important first steps
already under way. These contribute to nurturing and scaling up new technological
regimes, as well as destabilizing old and unsustainable ones”

The Sustainable Energy for All Global Action Agenda defines specific requirements for
different contexts. Low- and middle-income country governments must create conditions that
enable growth by establishing a clear vision, national targets, policies, regulations and
incentives that link energy to overall development, while strengthening national utilities.
More than 80 governments from low- and middle-income countries have joined the SE4A
initiative.8 Industrialized country governments must focus internally on efficiency and
renewable energies while externally supporting all three objectives through international
action. They elaborate on current plans to increase the deployment of domestic renewable
energy and improve energy efficiency through the entire value chain, from production of
primary energy-using energy services. The Global Action Agenda highlights also sectoral
action areas addressing both power generation and the principal sectors of energy
consumption.9 These include

• Modern cooking appliances and fuels;

• Distributed electricity solutions;
• Grid infrastructure and supply efficiency;
• Large-scale renewable power;
• Industrial and agricultural processes;
7
Nilsson M (2012) Sustainable energy for all: from basic access to a shared development agenda, Carbon
Manag 3(1):1-3. Future Science Ltd
8
Johansson TB et al (2002) Energy for sustainable development—a policy agenda. IIEEE, Lund 11. Klein N
9
Colombo E, Bologna S, Masera D (2013) Renewable energy for unleashing sustainable development. Springer,
United Kingdom
4
• Transportation;
• Buildings and appliances.

It is important to underline that the sectoral actions have to be combined in order to assure
immediate basic energy access to improved quality of life and well-being, but also to build
energy services for long-term autonomous sustainable development.10

A PARTNERSHIP THAT DELIVERS RESULTS

The Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, identified three inter-linked objectives during the
SE4All decade, necessary for long-term sustainable development in relation to access to
energy. The Sustainable Energy for All initiative is a multi-stakeholder partnership between
governments, the private sector, and civil society. Launched by the UN Secretary-General in
2011, it has three interlinked objectives to be achieved by 2030:

– ensure universal access to modern energy services;

– double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency;
– double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

These objectives are complementary. Progress in achieving one can help with progress
toward the others. The Sustainable Energy for All initiative also acts in support of the 2014-
2024 Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, as declared by the UN General Assembly.

MOBILIZING ACTION

A. AT THE COUNTRY LEVEL

Some 80 countries have opted-in to the initiative, from small island states to large, emerging
economies. As country needs are identified, the initiative is mobilizing public and private
sector partners to provide critical support, including technical assistance, resources, and
access to timely information and knowledge. By 2015, the initiative seeks to accelerate the
provision of electricity to 200 million people, and clean and efficient cooking and heating
solutions to 400 million individuals.
10
. Nebojsa Nakicenovic, Daniel Kammen, and Jessica Jewell, Sustainable Energy for All: Technical Report of
Task Force 2 in Support of Doubling the Global Rate of Energy Efficiency Improvement and Doubling the
Share of Renewable Energy in the Global Energy Mix by 2030 (New York: Sustainable Energy for All, 2002) p.
14.
5
 B. THROUGH HIGH IMPACT OPPORTUNITIES

High Impact Opportunities (HIOs) are areas of action undertaken by multiple stakeholders
that have significant potential to advance the three objectives of Sustainable Energy for All.
Some 50 of these High Impact Opportunities have been identified, including: Clean Cooking
Solutions; Renewable Energy Procurement; Gas Flaring Reduction; Energy & Women’s
Health; Sustainable Energy for Island Economies; Sustainable Biofuels; Off-Grid Lighting,
and Advanced Lighting/Appliance Efficiency.11 For each High Impact Opportunity, one or
more lead partners facilitates collaborative action across the HIO and reports on results.
Where relevant, actions contributing to High Impact Opportunities are connected to other
HIOs or to work underway within Sustainable Energy for All’s country-driven action plans.

C. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT & TRACKING

Accountability and transparency are essential for tracking global progress toward the
initiative’s three objectives. A Global Tracking Framework, a joint initiative of the World
Bank and its Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the International
Energy Agency and 15 other global organizations, establishes baseline energy data and
provides regular bi-annual updates on trends in energy access, renewable energy and energy
efficiency.12 The Global Tracking Framework will identify where efforts will be needed
going forward and highlight countries that are making noteworthy progress.13

D. BUILDING THE FUTURE WE WANT

Sustainable energy for all is an idea whose time has come. Working in partnership,
governments, parliamentarians, private sector companies, industries, and civil society are
making diverse contributions inspired by a unity of purpose. Together, we can power a
sustainable future free of poverty.

11
3. Ibrahim Dincer, "Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development: A Cru cial Review," Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews 4, no. 2 (2000), 157
12
4. Sustainable Energy for All, "UN Secretary-General Highlights Significant Commitments to Action in
Support of Achieving Sustainable Energy for All," 22 June 2012, available at www.se4all.org/2012/06/22/un-
secretary-general-highlights-significant -commitments-action-support-achieving-sustainable-energy.
13
Dilip Ahuja and Marika Tatsutani, "Sustainable Energy for Developing Countries," S.A.P.I.E.N.S. 2, no. 1
(2009).
6
 WE MUST ALL ACT TOGETHER TO REALISE THIS VISION – AND ALL
WILL BENEFIT

 All stakeholders and individuals have important roles to play to achieve

Sustainable Energy for All, and all will realise benefits by committing to that
vision. By supporting the objectives of Sustainable Energy for All with concrete
actions, stakeholders will help create a better world that delivers broad economic,
social, and environmental benefits. The initiative will drive opportunities related to
energy policy change, financing, business collaboration and economic growth.
Stakeholders will benefit by taking action – because doing so will advance their core
strategies and missions, their growth and innovation agendas, and their shared values.

 Businesses will increase shareholder value. They will gain by adopting industry
best practices, reducing their costs and environmental impact, and creating new
opportunities through networks established by this initiative. In a very practical way,
businesses will benefit from more robust energy infrastructure in their areas of
activity, reducing the risk of unreliable power supplies. They may gain access to new
and expanded markets for existing products and improved market insights. They may
be better placed to develop and adapt products and services to new sets of customers.
They may establish or strengthen relationships with governments, policymakers and
public institutions in home and foreign markets, thereby improving the public-private
dialogue and realising new opportunities for growth, investment, and innovation. 14
They may also improve their brand recognition by demonstrating global leadership on
a targeted initiative in the area of sustainable energy and communicating their role in
creating a new energy future. (The term ‘businesses’ encompasses the entire private
sector.)15

 Governments will strengthen social and economic development. They will attract
new international and domestic investments and new businesses, supporting
sustainable economic growth and local value chains. They may also tap new sources

14
Jefferson W. Tester, Elisabeth M. Drake, Michael J. Driscoll, Michael W. Golay, and William A. Peters,
Sustainable Energy: Choosing Among Options (Cambridge: MIT Press, 2005)
15
ls for Scaling Up Energy Access (Washington, DC: IFC, 2012), pp. 12-19. 36. Raffaella Bellanca and Emma
Wilson, Sustainable Energy for All and the Private Sector (London: International Institute for Environment and
Development, 2012).
7
 of advice or technical support from the private sector and civil society, as well as from
multilateral and donor agencies – for example, by opting in to a programme for
technical assistance on energy access. The initiative thereby aims to empower
developing countries to put their development on a sustainable pathway. For donor
countries, participation will allow better focus and leverage for their aid efforts. (The
term ‘government’ in this document encompasses the entire public sector.)

 Civil society organisations (CSOs) will increase their impact. They will be able to
scale up their efforts on advocacy, research, training, education, or direct delivery of
services. They may improve their access to key stakeholders, convened through the
initiative, and thereby form constructive new partnerships. These new constellations
and resources will increase the influence of CSOs, helping them thrive and spur
similar efforts elsewhere. (The term ‘civil society’ in this document encompasses non-
governmental organisations and academic institutions, as well as individuals.)

 Commitments can bring about transformational changes if stakeholders work

together. Progress toward sustainable energy for all is often obstructed by multiple,
interlocking barriers; overcoming these barriers will require multiple, mutually
reinforcing actions. The initiative aims to help organisations align their individual
efforts towards common goals.16

CONCLUSION AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

Developed and developing countries must do their respective parts moving forward. Uptake
of sustainable energy solutions has been highest among OECD members and emerging
market countries such as China, India, and Brazil. A realistic yet aggressive strategy to
implement sustainable energy solutions worldwide would include a focus on significantly
scaling down fossil fuel subsides and engaging the private sector to use and further improve
sustainable energy technologies.

16
Sustainable Energy for All, A Global Action Agenda: Pathways for Con certed Action Toward Sustainable
Energy for All (New York: UN, 2012)
8
The strategies outlined SE4ALL’s “Global Action Agenda” are well articulated and
sufficiently aggressive. One major challenge for the SE4ALL initiative is to get more
countries to sign on, especially developed countries. While it is true that developing countries
are in the early stages of modern energy development and could advance considerably quite
quickly with the proper international support, the situation of global climate change in
particular will not change much if developed countries continue using fossil fuels at current
levels of intensity. Developed countries should do much more to adopt sustainable energy
technologies if GHG emissions levels are to be reduced significantly.

• To address the energy needs of the poorest, incorporate SE4ALL commitments and
actions into national frameworks to alleviate poverty, focusing on financially viable
but less-profitable models, private sector partnerships, corporate responsibility
initiatives, and support for social entrepreneurs.
• Provide financial support for new businesses that sell efficient stoves that use biomass
or that facilitate shifts to cleaner energy, especially with the use of carbon credits.
• Since it can influence the adoption of certain types of energy sources, implement
price-based targeting for renewable energy sources, especially in cases where
introducing off-grid solar energy technologies in Africa would benefit large
populations.
• In addition to development initiatives in developing countries, reduce fossil fuel
subsidies gradually, improve tax collection systems, and strengthen efforts to crack
down on corruption.
• Encourage public-private partnerships, especially between businesses from developed
and developing countries, to build capacity and catalyze innovation.