Last month at the PCIA conference in Peru we had a chance to learn about the very interesting work GIZ (the German Development Agency) is doing on sustainable and renewable solid biomass initiatives in developing countries. The representatives we met (Marlis, Lisa, and Verena) were kind enough to share valuable information, like this paper on Carbon Markets for Wood Energy Projects. This one pager is of value for all those who are considering incorporating carbon-finance components into their wood-for-energy projects. Here are some of the highlights we picked out: * In most least developed countries wood is currently used on Continue reading
Energy Poverty
NEWS: Wood, charcoal, viable energy sources – report
Combined sources based on the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) report: Bundles of energy: The case for renewable biomass energy New technologies can convert trees to liquid and gaseous fuel 30 per cent of global energy to come from this source by 2050 Developing nations have an untapped resource that would enable them to fight poverty, create jobs, gain energy independence and adapt to climate changes. A report published by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) urges developing nations to take advantage of their dependence on biomass fuels — such as wood and charcoal — and Continue reading
Providing reliable, clean energy to 3 billion people will not break the bank or the environment.
“Delivering efficient, clean energy to those who lack electricity is not as daunting as it sounds.” — Prof. Daniel M. Kammen, The World Bank Whether it was the topic at hand, or the possibility of catching a bite to eat, it was standing-room-only at a lunch-time panel last Monday at the UNDP offices in New York. On the agenda was how UN agencies and other development institutions plan to facilitate access to energy by 2030 for the 3 billion people worldwide who still lack electricity and clean cooking solutions. To kickstart this ambitious effort, the UN has declared 2012 the Continue reading
IEA: Providing electricity and sustainable energy for all is within reach.
OPINION How many economists do you know that you can call a rock star or a superhero? In our books, Fatih Birol, Chief Economist at the IEA (International Energy Agency) is up there with Superman and Captain Planet. That’s because no economist out there has so tirelessly advocated for help for the 3 billion people who lack access to electricity or depend on wood, charcoal, and other solid biomass fuels for cooking and heating. In his most recent statement, Dr. Birol points out that it would take only about 3% of the projected global energy investment of over USD 26 Continue reading
How to Finance Clean Tech and Green Fuels for the globe’s 3 billion biomass dependent
OPINION Creating a new asset class for investments in energy efficiency solutions for the world’s biomass dependent. We know that about half of the world’s population depends on wood, charcoal and other solid biomass for their daily cooking and heating needs. We also know the other half of the planet depends on fossil fuels to meet the same needs (and others, like transportation, etc.). According to a blog post by Jake Schmidt, Policy director for the US environmental non-profit Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the global clean energy market generated $243 billion in investments in 2010. This represents a 30% Continue reading