Today’s Rio Dialogues session on Energy had to overcome a blindspot on the importance of energy access for the poor. The outcome was a valuable alert to be careful with what we mean by “universal” access to modern energy.
Tag: rio+20
Energy poverty news: Rio+20: June 18
UN-Energy boss Kandeh Yumkella wows a corporate audience on the subject of energy poverty. Potential funding sources continue to be debated whilst new research in Nature gives Energy For all a green light on mitigating climate change.
Energy verdict for Brazilian Rio+20 text
Initial reaction from energy poverty campaigners to the latest Rio+20 outcome text drafted by the Brazilian hosts has been negative. But a closer look sees some hope for the poor who lack electricity and clean cookstoves.
Pressure builds on Rio+20 to target energy access for all
UN leaders, business chiefs, NGO activists and celebrities have joined forces in Rio de Janeiro in a concerted endeavour to assist 1.4 billion people around the world with no access to electricity and 2.7 billion with unsafe cooking stoves.
Energy poverty news: Rio+20: June 16
Rio+20 negotiators continue to ignore energy. What could be the explanation? Plus an important report from the Stockholm Environment Institute and a spate of video appearances by members of the UN’s high-level group.
Energy Poverty News: Rio+20: June 15
There’s still no news about energy from the PrepCom negotiations – one day to go. Plus more thoughts on fossil fuel subsidies and an audio on clean cookstoves.
Action on fossil fuel subsidies may triumph in Rio+20 dialogues
Engagement of the public through the online Rio+20 Dialogues has produced some questionable results. The energy sector may unite around action on fossil fuel subsidies, especially as 350.org is about to throw everything behind its campaign.
Energy poverty news: Rio+20: June 13
Radical civil society groups are calling for the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All Initiative to be rejected. In complete contrast, three UN leaders explain why energy access is so crucial to development, and to women in particular.
Energy poverty news for Rio+20: June 12
The French president backs sustainable energy for all; the coal lobby backs unsustainable energy for all – and there’s more peer-reviewed science announcing awkward findings about clean cookstoves.
Energy poverty news for Rio+20: June 11
There’s more evidence of a looming challenge to the legitimacy of the UN’s Sustainable Energy For All (SEFA) initiative. A critical document described as a “Civil Society Statement” has appeared on two websites – the Gears of Change youth media project and Friends of the Earth UK (which describes it as “hot off the presses”).… Continue reading Energy poverty news for Rio+20: June 11