The Industrial Development Report, the flagship publication of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) today said industrial energy efficiency is key to sustainable development.
The new UN report was launch today at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The new report also urges investment in energy-efficient technologies to achieve sustainable growth and tackle global challenges from climate change to poverty reduction.
“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
He cited that industrial energy efficiency is essential for strengthening economies, protecting ecosystems and achieving social benefits.
Mr. Yumkella noted that improving industrial energy efficiency is key to sustainable industrial development worldwide. He noted it is especially essential 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.” – Mr. Yumkella
The Industrial Development Report (IDR) series is intended to build on development policy experience and contribute to a refinement of the international development agenda.
Aiming to provide highly context-specific policy guidance, the Reports in the series pay special attention to current needs and capabilities in the developing countries in general, and the least developed among them in particular.
The reports also aim to provide guidance to policy makers and assist both public and private stakeholders to formulate, implement and monitor national strategies for effective poverty reduction through sustained productivity enhancement. While doing this, the series not only takes stock of past development experiences, but also analyzes policy options in the light of country-specific conditions prevailing under the current international norms and rules.
Addressing the summit in Abu Dhabi yesterday, Secretary General Ban ki-moon called on governments, the private sector and civil society to help expand energy access, improve efficiency and increase the use of renewables to help build a “new energy future.”
In recent years, UNIDO has assumed an enhanced role in global development by focusing on poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability, based on two core functions – as a global forum to disseminate industry-related knowledge, and as a technical cooperation agency to provide technical support and implement projects.
