Poor people’s energy outlook 2012
Poor people’s energy outlook 2012
Executive summary
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Praise for this book...
‘The Poor people’s energy outlook will definitely contribute to the debate and actions towards addressing the needs of the energy poor.’ Stephen Gitonga, United Nations Development Programme ‘It’s great to see such a clear voice coming out of Practical Action on behalf of the poor – I pray the world listens!’ Abeeku Brew-Hammond, The Energy Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana ‘The approach is valuable and leads us towards a better understanding of the myriad dimensions of the lack of energy access experienced by the developing world.’ Dr Priyadarshini Karve, Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI), India ‘Defining and measuring energy poverty is absolutely vital to effectively address the issues and ultimately improve lives in a long-term, sustainable manner; but it isn’t necessarily an easy thing to do. The PPEO tackles this challenge in an informed, professional and highly useful manner. It is a book worth reading.’ Samuel N. Shiroff, Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, Munich, Germany ‘The PPEO 2012 is a valuable contribution to better understanding the links between access to energy services and economic development.’ Morgan Bazilian, UNIDO and UN-Energy ‘This is an insightful and extremely useful report, based on long experience and thoughtful analysis. In revealing the manifold importance of energy to all human enterprise it sets out powerful arguments and practical measures to break the barriers to energy access for poor people. Above all, this report encourages new and better ways of thinking about the issues and invites readers to contribute to further discussion.’ John Magrath, Oxfam ‘The PPEO provides a valuable complement to the IEA’s World Energy Outlook by widening the term “energy access” to include the increased use of modern energy services for production and income generation by poor people and not just consumption (light and cooking). Practical Action is to be commended for sustaining this major contribution.’ Andrew Barnett, The Policy Practice Limited ‘The new Poor people’s energy outlook is a useful source of information and will be of great help in highlighting the energy needs of the poor in the coming UN Year on Sustainable Energy for All.’ Dr Marlis Kees, GIZ ‘The PPEO 2012 explains concisely the complex issue of energy access. It is a useful tool to understand the challenges of and potential approaches towards Total Energy Access – both for people new to the field as well as for practitioners. It provides relevant facts and figures that are often unavailable or challenging to find.’ Barbara Boerner, Canopus Foundation, and Solar for All ‘The PPEO is an excellent document touching on many important aspects of energy for productive income-earning opportunities essential for improving livelihoods.’ Estomih N. Sawe, TaTEDO, Tanzania
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Poor people’s energy outlook 2012
Poor people’s energy outlook 2012
Energy for earning a living
Executive summary
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About Practical Action
Practical Action is a development charity with a difference. We use technology to challenge poverty by building the capabilities of poor people, improving their access to technical options and knowledge, and working with them to influence social, economic, and institutional systems. We work internationally from regional offices in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Our vision is of a sustainable world free of poverty and injustice in which technology is used for the benefit of all.
Practical Action Publishing Ltd Schumacher Centre, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9QZ, UK www.practicalactionpublishing.org © Practical Action, 2012 ISBN 978-1-85339-731-8
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Citation: Practical Action (2012) Poor people’s energy outlook 2012: Energy for earning a living, Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK
Practical Action encourages reproduction and dissemination of material in this report, provided that proper citation is made and that material is used accurately and not in a misleading context. However, please note that permission to reproduce figures and tables referenced to other authors should be obtained from the copyright holder. Reproduction of any part of this publication for commercial use is not authorised without the written permission of Practical Action Publishing.
Since 1974, Practical Action Publishing has published and disseminated books and information in support of international development work throughout the world. Practical Action Publishing is a trading name of Practical Action Publishing Ltd (Company Reg. No. 1159018), the wholly owned publishing company of Practical Action. Practical Action Publishing trades only in support of its parent charity objectives and any profits are covenanted back to Practical Action (Charity Reg. No. 247257, Group VAT Registration No.880 9924 76).
Design, editing and production by Practical Action Publishing Printed in the UK by Ashford Colour Press on FSC mixed sources paper
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Poor people’s energy outlook 2012
Practical Action,