Sustainabiliy Energy and The Kyoto Challenge

摘要

While much of the energy policy impetus of recent years arises from the global warming debate and the 'Kyoto agenda', it is worth reminding ourselves of the wider and deeper role energy plays in the sustainability equation. The Brundtland definition (1987) of 'sustainable development' is well accepted as a principle. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development's definition is perhaps more specific and prescriptive, citing a 'triple bottom line'. It could also be said that the essence of sustainability is the intelligent balance and integration of sound priorities. Figure 1 is a rep resentation, necessarily complex, of some of the key dimensions to sustainability. It shows the primary triangle of Society, Economy and Environment, with the goal of Sustainable Quality of Life at the core and a variety of policies, which can contribute to this goal. The challenge of mobilising, innovating and intelligently integrating across these policy domains is immense, hence Agenda 21 and world summits such as Rio, Kyoto and Johannesburg.