The year 2012 has been designated as "The International Year of Sustainable Energy for All". At the 65th General Assembly of the united Nations, resolution A/65/151 was adopted Reiterating the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. The effort will be spear headed by The United Nations Foundation and the UN-Energy, along with the leading service providers.
The year's designation was endorsed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a speech to the World Energy Forum in given Abu Dhabi in January 2011. The year will be commemorated with many events to be held globally, demonstrating both the necessity, and values from increasing access to energy. All through the year, member states will be assisted by the respective UN agencies, to initiate National Coordinating Committees to increase awareness about the topics and available solutions, thus plotting a course to replace a significant portion of the world's energy sources with renewable and sustainable resources in the upcoming decades.
Access to clean and affordable modern energy is critical to fostering lasting social and economic development and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Worldwide, some 2.7 billion people rely on traditional biomass for cooking and heating, and 1.4 billion have no access to electricity, with one billion more having access only to unreliable electricity networks.
The lack of modern energy services stifles income-generating activities and hampers the provision of basic services such as health care and education. In addition, smoke from polluting and inefficient cooking, lighting, and heating devices kills nearly two million women and young children prematurely every year and causes a range of chronic illnesses and other health impacts. Black carbon emissions from these devices worsen global climate change, and foraging for fuel contributes to deforestation.
The UN campaign for Sustainable Energy For All will engage governments, the private sector, and civil society toward the goal of universal energy access by 2030. The 2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, designated by the United Nations General Assembly, will work towards the removal of barriers to the effective delivery of energy services by promoting the development of new technologies and innovative financial and business models. It will also identify and disseminate best practices in this sector and foster strategic partnerships to promote energy access.
The Year 2012 Site
The Resolution
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