The three main strategies are: reducing energy consumption; searching for and developing alternative energy resources, which are preferably renewable and used sustainably; and ensuring resource efficient methods and technologies.
The global energy economy is facing a crisis in terms of lack of capital, social inequity and environmental degradation. New and renewable energy technologies, coupled with major improvements in the efficiency of energy services, are increasingly able to form part of a solution to this crisis.
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.
UNESCO's programme includes facilitating the formulation of reforms in energy utilization and the use of renewable energy sources for sustainable development.
The Multilateral Development Banks Energy Project was initiated in June, 1996 by a group of 21 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from Latin America, Africa, Asia and Central & Eastern Europe. The overall goal of the project is to make a long term contribution to efforts that reorient the energy sector investments of the MDBs towards sustainable energy. The MDB-Energy Project aims to: (1) Enhance the capacity within existing NGO "MDB networks" to promote sustainable energy lending; (2) Undertake independent monitoring and evaluation of MDB energy policies and operations by gathering information, conducting research, and preparing case-studies; (3) Systematically pool information, knowledge and resources in an international, concerted, and focused attempt to reform the MDBs energy sector activities; (4) Undertake national, regional, and international level advocacy work relating to the energy sector investments of the MDBs; (5) Reach out to and strengthen informal national networks of NGOs working on energy and MDB issues; (6) Collaborate with existing international NGO networks working on issues relating to sustainable energy, climate change, and Multilateral Development Banks; (7) Maintain a constructive dialogue between NGOs, parliamentarians, academics, MDB officials, and private firms in relation to the MDBs energy sector activities; and (8) Focus increased media attention on MDB energy operations and sustainable energy alternatives.