Energy, climate change and poverty alleviation - policy paper

The papers from three of GNESD’s Member centres examine different aspects of the complex links between climate change, energy and poverty, to help clarify the debate and to demonstrate that the issues, while complex, are nonetheless perfectly manageable. The most salient finding of the studies is that energy, in spite of its pivotal role for sustainable development and for successful adaptation, is hardly mentioned in the adaptation plans prepared by developing countries under the UNFCCC’s National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA) process. Moreover, some countries are continuing to view energy as somehow set aside from other considerations, apparently unaware that the impacts of climate change may render the solutions they opt for invalid.Their plans must therefore include policies and strategies that will structure the modern energy supplies that are vital not only for low carbon economic and social development but also for successful adaptation to climate change.