EVERY ENERGY OPTION CHALLENGES POLICY MAKERS WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TRADE-OFFS, COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES TOLD
Press Release
ENR/2
EVERY ENERGY OPTION CHALLENGES POLICY MAKERS WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TRADE-OFFS, COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES TOLD
19990405 Committee Begins First Session; Elects Chairman; Adopts AgendaEvery energy option challenged policy makers with economic and social trade-offs, JoAnne DiSano, Director, Division for Sustainable Development told the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources this morning as it began its first session.
Addressing the 24-member expert body, she said that the key to a sustainable energy future lay in the use of the most effective and desirable mix of energy sources with the least adverse effects. Global energy consumption would continue to increase as economic growth and social development improved the standard of living of a growing world population dependent on energy use. To meet the increased demand, even with anticipated higher efficiencies in energy use and conservation, more energy would be needed.
Also, monitoring progress in dealing with water issues was vital, she said. Water supply and sanitation were related to environmental health, and developing sustainable approaches to freshwater management was vital for achieving sustainable development itself.
Transport was the most worrisome end-use energy sector and was at the forefront of sustainable development issues, she said. Also a problem were rising levels of transboundary air pollution, which should be tackled through regional cooperation.
It was essential to insist on strongly emphasizing environmental concerns in national policy, she continued. All nations had to systematically encourage increased use of renewable energy and cleaner fossil-fuel technologies. They had to improve the efficiency of energy production, distribution and use.
Natural Resources Committee - 2 - Press Release ENR/2 1st Meeting (AM) 5 April 1999
The Committee this morning elected Christian M. Katsande (Zimbabwe) as its Chairman. It also adopted its agenda for the current session, as orally revised.
A subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council, the Committee was created through Resolution 1998/46 of 31 July 1998, annex I, which merged two committees -- the Committee on New and Renewable Sources of Energy and on Energy for Development and the Committee on Natural Resources -- into a single expert body. During the first session, it will take up items on issues in the water and energy sectors that have emerged since the cancellation sessions of the two former Committees.
The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. to conclude the election of its officers and adopt its organization of work.
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