Energy production and consumption has been shown to have a key influence on CO2 and GHG emissions, that has resulted in global climate change. Within the perspective of the FEWW nexus, for example, much energy is consumed in managing water supply systems, and also in waste incineration installations.
Policy Focus for Energy:
Striving for efficiency in energy production, distribution and consumption: Shift to renewable energy sources
Sustainable energy policies in a circular economy will have to focus on three objectives:
Sustainability -- how much and at what rate is energy consumed, and its effect on long term sustainability; the quality and quantity of available alternative/renewable forms of energy; and the effect of existing energy use on the global environment as a whole.
Efficiency -- the technology, planning and management of energy systems that will facilitate efficient use of energy for human activity (including its non-use!).
Equity -- the appropriate financial mechanism for research, development and use of finite and alternative energy forms, and their equitable distribution for all humankind.
In practical terms, energy policies need to incorporate the entire continuum of issues:
of production, use and discharge of energy. Therefore, operating a circular economy that conserves energy requires us to look at three aspects, (1) how we produce energy, i.e. increasing use of renewable sources of energy, (2) how we use energy - i.e. using less energy and more efficiently for maximum output, and (3) how we discharge energy, i.e. reducing CO2 and GHG emissions and air pollution from energy use.
The energy policies that will help us move towards a circular economy needs to include, for example, (a) exploring and bringing to the market, alternative energy sources, (b) linking energy more integrally with global environmental issues (for example climate change or global warming), (c) co-relating environmental management efficiency with energy efficiency and (d) changes in lifestyles and increase in community involvement that will help achieve energy efficiency.
Use efficiently!
Go renewable!
These SDGs aim to provide access to modern and sustainable energy, build resilient infrastructure, make cities more sustainable, and address the impacts of climate change.
Delve deper into the theme with GDRC's outputs:
→ Energy Management @ GDRC programme on Urban Environmental Management
The FEWW Nexus feature brings together the four themes of food, energy, water and waste in an urban context, in order to explore the interconnectedness and cross-cutting issues between them - as well as its overall impacts on the environment.
?
Did you know?
Over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from energy production, making it the largest contributor to climate change
Energy production and consumption has been shown to have a key influence on CO2 and GHG emissions, that has resulted in global climate change. Within the perspective of the FEWW nexus, for example, much energy is consumed in managing water supply systems, and also in waste incineration installations.
