Energy policy
Access to basic, clean energy services is essential for sustainable development and poverty eradication, and provides major benefits in the areas of health, literacy and equity. However, 1.3 billion people today have no access to modern energy services.
The issue of energy choice is fundamental to the great challenge facing the world at the beginning of the 21st century – how to eliminate the obscene levels of poverty without further polluting the planet. Practical Action believes that there does not have to be a trade-off between human development and the environment. Millions can be lifted out of poverty without ruining the planet with the help of clean sustainable energy.
Poor people's energy outlook
The Poor People's Energy Outlook is an annual Practical Action publication drawing links between energy access and earning a living in poor countries around the world. The 2013 report is now available.
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2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, in recognition that access to affordable modern energy services is essential for sustainable development and for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. We...
Read moreEnergy and sub-Saharan Africa
Half the world's population live without modern energy. This situation is most severe in sub-Saharan Africa, where four out of five families lack access to electricity.
Read moreEnergy and the Millennium Development Goals
Energy access is fully recognised as crucial to human development - on a personal, national and global scale - and improving energy access is fundamental to achieving the Millennium Development Go...
Read moreEnergy documents - policy
Documents on energy policy issues, including the importance of energy access for poverty reduction.
Read moreEnergy for all by 2030
Billions of poor people have not got the energy they need to light their homes, cook meals safely and earn a living. Although the technology exists to deliver universal access to modern energy, a huge effort is needed to make that happen.
Read moreEnergy poverty
International development agencies, donors and governments in low-income countries need to make energy access for the poor a priority if they are meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and er...
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