As a long-term objective, and bearing in mind the need for increasing energy consumption by developing countries, Agenda 21 suggests the adoption of appropriate cost effective methods and techniques which move towards less polluting and more efficient energy systems as well as an increased use of economically viable, new and renewable sources of energy, with a view to reducing any adverse effects on the atmosphere.
This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.