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Sustainable Energy
The UNECE recognises two major policy challenges in the field
of energy. The first is the issue of sustainability, which means
the transition to more sustainable patterns of energy production
and use. The second involves the ‘building or strengthening
of links’ between member States in order to foster closer
cooperation and fuller integration of countries in the region
upon the subject.
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Five areas are covered: sustainable energy policies,
energy efficiency, natural gas, coal and electricity, with priority
given to the first three. Activities are organized in three clusters
around the Committee on Sustainable Energy, the Working Party on Gas
(including the Gas Centre) and the Steering Committee
of the Energy Efficiency Project.
The Committee
on Sustainable Energy covers the harmonization of energy policies
and practices; the formulation of recommendations based on assessment
of new developments and issues related to the price of energy; the security
of both the supply and the environment; and the development of classification
systems for energy and mineral reserves/resources. Through its groups
of experts, the Committee is also involved in work on industry restructuring
and environmental problems connected with the coal mining and thermal
power industries; as well as issues concerning the interconnection of
electric power networks.
Gas
With respect to gas, work is focused on a wide range
of downstream and upstream activities of the gas industry, including
infrastructure development, adapting to the market, and the provision
of assistance to transition countries in implementing market-based reforms.
The Gas Centre was established in 1994 and is financially supported
by 26 major private and state-owned international gas companies.
It provides a range of services to gas companies and governments to
assist in the implementation of market-based policies, processes and
instruments related to the transition of the gas industry to more open
and liberalized gas markets. This includes advice and assistance regarding
legal, legislative and regulatory matters, as well as pricing, restructuring
and privatization. As a result of the fundamental and profound changes
taking place in the natural gas markets of Europe, the Gas Centre has
become a focal point for discussion on strategic European gas market
developments and for the promotion of cooperation and integration of
the gas industry in Europe.
Energy
Efficiency Project
The Energy Efficiency Project, which was set up in
1990, emphasizes the experimental dimension of work in energy efficiency,
such as the practical implementation and demonstration of energy efficiency
measures. The Project’s ultimate objectives are to enhance trade
and cooperation in energy efficient, environmentally sound technologies
by disseminating information, and to enhance networking of institutions,
organizations and individuals working in this field. It also aims to
provide capacity development and training to countries in transition
in areas such as business planning and financial issues, and to provide
technical and financial assistance in project development.
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