16 May 2013
Participants at the VEF will discuss how to overcome energy poverty, which is recognized as a major development obstacle, and, at the same time, will look at ways to accelerate the de-carbonization of energy systems. The event will build on the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, the IIASA-coordinated Global Energy Assessment, and the findings of the UN Development Group’s thematic consultations on energy, as well as feed in to the intergovernmental process on the post-2015 development agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A press conference will take place on Tuesday, 28 May at 09:30 at the Mittlere Lounge, 2nd floor.
The new World Bank report, which IIASA contributed to, presents a snapshot of the energy status of countries with respect to access, action on energy efficiency and renewable energy. More Information
Read the IIASA/UNIDO joint press release following Day 1 of the conference. More information.
IIASA researchers will be available for interviews during the forum. To arrange an interview contact the researcher directly, or IIASA Press Officer Katherine Leitzell at +43 2236 807 316.
Media are invited to take part in IIASA-led side events.
Multiple Benefits of the Global Energy Transformation: Recent Research Findings
29 May 2013, 9:30-13:00, Kunstlerzimmer
This side event will highlight new research from IIASA. The focus of the presentations will be on the relevance of the research and the role of science in the Post-2015 Development Agenda in the areas of energy and technological change. The work of IIASA includes analysis of the energy dimensions of poverty, energy security, energy system transformation, and tools for decision makers for addressing complex interrelated sustainability issues that involve energy systems and their interactions with other key sectors such as water, forest, and agriculture. Presentations will include the findings of on-going as well as that of recently completed work such as the Global Energy Assessment – GEA and its main finding that in order to meet the meet the various challenges of our century and the goals of the SE4ALL, a major transformation of the energy systems is needed. More information
IIASA participants: Nebojsa Nakicenovic, Shonali Pachauri, Narasimha Rao, Arnulf Grubler, Ged Davis, and David McCollum
The Energy Future We Want - Considering Water & Food in the Energy Debate
29 May 2013, 14:30-16:00, Radetzky II
There are increasing calls globally to include water and food in the energy debate as nations around the world develop new energy policies and evaluate the options they want to follow in response to the UN Secretary-General’s Initiative on Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All). The inclusion of water and food in the energy debate is relevant as energy decisions have a broad range of impacts on water and food production. For example, novel water and energy policies in agriculture could enhance food production and security. However, abstracting water for irrigation may affect reservoir levels and reduce hydropower capacity, with negative consequences for energy security. The water-energy-food nexus presents opportunities for policy-makers, business leaders, investors, non-governmental organizations and the public at large to manage dwindling resources that are important for addressing important global development challenges.
IIASA Participants: David Wiberg and Paul Yillia
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313