Can sustainable energy help to reach the MDGs like poverty reduction and gender equality? Successful examples of different regions and technologies

摘要

Access to clean and affordable energy is not directly addressed in the MDGs, but is a vital determinant and prerequisite for economic and human development, thus reducing poverty and health risks. To improve access to and knowledge on sustainable energy especially in developing countries, the initiative WISIONS has been founded four years ago. It is run by the Wuppertal Institute/Germany and funded by a Swiss-based foundation. Via two approaches WISIONS combines progressing the realization of new project ideas (SEPS; financial and other support for implementation) and the dissemination and knowledge transfer of existing success stories (PREP - dissemination of good practice examples in brochures and via www.wisions.net). Successful good practice examples on the two issues of "Water and Energy" and "Sustainable Energy in the Food Supply Chain" from different regions show that options exist to achieve with low investments remarkable success. The project concepts presented can be seen as first small steps towards sustainable energy use in remote areas while addressing basic problems like poverty and gender inequity.