Environment and Energy

Energy and MDGs – Documents dealing with general links between energy and development indicators

Energy for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific Region: Challenges and Lessons from UNDP Projects (2004)
Editors: Sooksiri Chamsuk, Kamal Rijal, and Minoru Takada

This publication features case studies of seven UNDP projects on energy for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region and offers valuable lessons for consideration.

Achieving the Millennium Development Goals: The Role of Energy Services (2004)
Editors: Jem Porcaro and Minoru Takada

This report is a product of a research endeavor to analyze what effects targeted energy services in Brazil, the Philippines and Mali have on the countries’ attainment of MDG goals.

Shared Solar Panel for Indoor lighting, Côte d'Ivoire (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a project in Côte d'Ivoire. This project sought to test communal solar PV systems as a low-cost method of electrification for households and public buildings such as health clinics and schools.

Energy Efficiency Manager Program, Jordan (2003)

This brief case study describes a project aimed at building skills, technology access and institutional commitments for improving energy efficiency in small to medium-sized industries in Jordan.

Shifting from Conventional to Solar Water Heaters, India (2003)

This project has collected baseline information from wood-fired water heater manufacturers and users, and provided training to manufacturers and assistance to users to help introduce solar water heaters as an alternative.

Solar Energy for Battery Charging, Philippines (2003)

This project installed a community solar battery charging station and a solar generator for cold storage. The project encouraged community management of decentralized renewable energy sources.

Community-Scale Solar Water Pumping, Thailand (2003)

This project has demonstrated the use of solar water pumps to reduce grid-connected electricity use in pumping water for domestic consumption, thereby decreasing carbon dioxide emissions and allowing the villagers to reduce their electricity costs.

Solar Energy Application in Arampampa, Bolivia (2003)

This brief case study highlights lessons from a project in Bolivia that sought to remove technical and institutional barriers to the use of solar electricity in this region of high solar radiation.

Biodigestors in Rural Communities, Costa Rica (2003)

Lessons learned from projects that sought to train local farmers to build and use biodigestors, fueled by livestock waste to produce biogas for cooking.

Solar Rural Electrification via Micro-Enterprises, Dominican Republic (2003)

Based on the belief that those who benefit from solar electricity are its most important promoters, this project promotes decentralized small businesses and financing systems enabling rural people to learn about and pay for their own solar panels.

Biogas from Sewage and Residual Waters in an Educational Institution, Ecuador (2003)

This project successfully addressed waste problems of an educational complex through the installation of biogas units, which have at the same time reduced energy costs for cooking, and produced fertilizer for use and for sale.

  Energy and Poverty Alleviation – Reports that underscore how energy can be used to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Reducing Rural Poverty through Increased Access to Energy Services: A Review of the Multifunctional Platform Project in Mali (2004)
Authors: Abeeku Brew-Hammond and Anna Crole-Rees

This report reviews experiences of the multifunctional platform project in Mali and documents how modern energy services affect people’s lives in terms of income, education, and rural women’s status and health.
Also available In French

Affecting Electricity Policy through a Community Micro Hydro Project, Kenya (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a community project in Kenya. This project sought to remove the policy, technical and institutional barriers that limited the development and use of renewable energy sources to meet the energy needs of the poor, off-grid communities.

Biogas in Peri-Urban Areas, Mali (2003)

This project brief describes lessons learned form a project in Mali. The pilot project installed domestic biogas units in peri-urban zones of the city of Bamako. Wider use of biogas units would help reduce the demand for firewood in peri-urban areas and would supply higher-quality fertilizer for local farms.

Assessing the Spread of Improved Charcoal Stoves in Urban Areas, Tanzania (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a study conducted to determine why the production of charcoal stoves had not expanded to meet existing demand. Given the benefits of the stoves, including cleaner technology and reduced costs, the study also looked into why demand was not greater for the stoves.

Biogas Technology in Agricultural Regions, Tanzania (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a project in Tanzania. This project sought to address technical, financial and informational barriers to the implementation of biogas technology in order to increase incomes, improve home air quality, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Demonstrating Wind and Solar Energy on Lake Victoria, Uganda (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a project in Uganda where a community group formed a committee to manage the local wind/solar hybrid power station. The station is mainly used to charge batteries in order to meet household energy needs and to aid nighttime fisherman.

Energy Efficiency Improvements in Small, Medium-Sized and Informal Enterprises, Zimbabwe (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a project in Zimbabwe. The project examined possibilities and benefits of improving energy efficiency in small and medium sized or informal enterprises. Twelve such enterprises were selected.

Energy Efficiency in Lighting, Egypt (2003)

Lessons learned from an energy efficiency project in Egypt. This project promotes the use of efficient lighting equipment by training young people to maintain and install the equipment, demonstrating the benefits of efficient lighting in public areas and lowering financial barriers to domestic use through a revolving loan fund.

Small-Scale Wind Turbines for Water Pumping and Electricity Generation, Egypt (2003)

This brief case study describes a project implemented by the Egyptian Solar Energy Society. The project involved the use of wind energy to meet water access and electricity needs. The goal was to build several turbines for small-scale use to demonstrate and refine the technology, and eventually to lower the cost of technology for larger-scale use.

Solar Energy for Heating Water in Urban/Peri-Urban Areas, Egypt (2003)

This brief case study describes a project in Egypt where solar water heaters were installed in poor neighborhoods. Also provided were training and education programs for community members.

Building Capacity for Energy Micro-Enterprises and NGOs, Morocco (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a project building the capacity of entrepreneurs to run rural energy micro-enterprises. This project particularly helps build an understanding of a variety of renewable energy sources and how these relate to various sectors, including agriculture, water, and food preparation.

Hybrid Wind-Solar Power Lighting System for Village Lighting, Occupied Palestinian Territories (2003)

A summary of lessons learned; this project assisted a community in building and operating a solar-wind hybrid power system to meet most of the village's energy needs. Currently, 80% of the community's energy needs are met by the hybrid system, which has resulted in numerous social benefits.

Connecting Micro-hydro Power to the National Grid, Indonesia (2003)

Highlights of lessons learned from an Indonesian community project. This project upgraded the electricity supply for the Seloliman area to meet domestic, public and commercial needs.

A New Micro-Credit System for Solar Panels in Remote Villages, Nepal (2003)

This case study describes a community project in Nepal. The project sought to address the financial barriers to renewable energy using flexible credit scheme to enables the poorest members of Nepalese village to obtain solar PV panels.

Improving Energy Efficiency through Building Materials, Pakistan (2003)

Lessons learned from a project in Pakistan. By installing demonstration models and training local entrepreneurs to produce these products, the project seeks to initiate wide replication of these products in a self-sustaining manner.

Household-size Wind Turbines, Sri Lanka (2003)

Lessons from a project in Sri Lanka which demonstrated the potential for small wind systems to provide battery-charging services to rural areas, thereby improving local livelihoods.

Water Power for Rice Milling, Thailand (2003)

Highlights of a project in Thailand that helped a remote, minority community to install a water-powered rice mill. The community-established milling services provide financial returns to members of the cooperative and supports revolving funds for indigent community members.

Community-based Rural Micro Hydro Project, India (2003)

This case summary describes lessons learned from a community project in India which used a learning-by-doing approach to building and operating a micro hydro plant. The community now runs and maintains its own power system and has been stimulated to preserve the local forest.

Micro Hydro Power and Watershed Protection, The Philippines (2003)

Highlights of a project to reduce technical, institutional, and information barriers to the implementation of community-managed micro hydro schemes.

Building a Market for Efficient Cookstoves, Thailand (2003)

Project case study highlighting lessons learned; the project sought to reduce impacts on the forest and provide local livelihood benefits, especially for women, by improving cooking and charcoal production processes.

Micro Hydro Power for Agro-Processing in Rural Areas, Bolivia (2003)

This project built a micro hydro power plant in the village of Camata. The system provides electricity for domestic and public needs, and boosts the local economy by powering an agro-processing unit that enables people in the community to process their own agricultural products and sell them directly to the market.

  Energy and Education – Examples of energy services improving educational attainment

Reducing Rural Poverty through Increased Access to Energy Services: A Review of the Multifunctional Platform Project in Mali (2004)
Authors: Abeeku Brew-Hammond and Anna Crole-Rees

This report reviews experiences of the multifunctional platform project in Mali and documents how modern energy services affect people’s lives in terms of income, education, and rural women’s status and health.
Also available In French

Achieving the Millennium Goals: The Role of Energy Services (2004)
Editors: Jem Porcaro and Minoru Takada

This report is a product of a research endeavor to analyze what effects targeted energy services in Brazil, the Philippines and Mali have on the countries’ attainment of MDG goals.

Production and Dissemination of Solar Water Heaters, Côte d'Ivoire (2003)

Summary of a project in Cote d'Ivoire which developed local capacity to produce solar water heaters that cost less than imported models. The project was found to have several environmental, social and economic benefits as a result of a cheaper hot water supply.

Energy-saving Institutional Stoves in the Mt. Kenya Region, Kenya (2003)

Lessons learned from a community project in Kenya. This project involved replacing open fire cooking systems in schools with heavy, brick-insulated stainless steel stoves that require far less firewood and drastically reduce fuel costs.

Linking Micro Hydro Power and Forest Conservation, Dominican Republic (2003)

This project introduced micro hydropower in order to provide electricity for lighting in homes and the local school. The new power has contributed to livelihoods in even more ways, such as in enabling computer access in the community.

  Energy and Gender – Documents that address gender in energy planning and development programming

Reducing Rural Poverty through Increased Access to Energy Services: A Review of the Multifunctional Platform Project in Mali (2004)
Authors: Abeeku Brew-Hammond and Anna Crole-Rees

This report reviews experiences of the multifunctional platform project in Mali and documents how modern energy services affect people’s lives in terms of income, education, and rural women’s status and health.
Also available In French

Energy and Women: Pilot Project (2003)

In French. Mauritania. Summary of study analyzing national strategy to promote women.

Report on the Regional Workshop on Gender, Energy and Sustainable Development (2003)

Report of the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) regional workshop entitled “Gender, Energy and Sustainable Development.” Includes summaries of workshop sessions, recommendations, and member group discussions.

Biogas Technology in Agricultural Regions, Tanzania (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a project in Tanzania. This project sought to address technical, financial and informational barriers to the implementation of biogas technology in order to increase incomes, improve home air quality, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Solar Energy for Drying Crops, Occupied Palestinian Territories (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a project that started 17 small women's cooperatives that use solar dryers to prepare fruits, herbs and other produce for sale in local markets.

Disseminating Efficient Cook Stoves, Bhutan (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a community project in Bhutan. This project installed cook stoves in 10 religious institutions, reducing the use of firewood at these sites by 50%, and installing individual stoves in 2000 households. The results were achieved by training local women to construct, maintain and repair the stoves.

Fuel-Efficient Smokeless Stoves, Pakistan (2003)

Lessons learned from a project in Pakistan that spread the use of smokeless stoves among women in order to reduce their dependence upon fire-wood and improve health and general living conditions.

“Sol de Vida:” Improving Women's Lives through Solar Cooking, Costa Rica (2003)

This project not only promotes the use of solar power for cooking, but also seeks to build women's capacity for other development activities thorough the process of constructing and using solar cookers.

Energy and Women
Author: Carlos Lopes

Presentation outlines policies that address the energy needs of women, presents case studies of the UNDP Energy and Women Project and draws nine lessons from theses case studies.

  Energy and Health – Cases demonstrating the health benefits of energy provision or cleaner fuel use

Affecting Electricity Policy through a Community Micro Hydro Project, Kenya (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a community project in Kenya. This project sought to remove the policy, technical and institutional barriers that limited the development and use of renewable energy sources to meet the energy needs of the poor, off-grid communities.

Biogas in Peri-Urban Areas, Mali (2003)

This project brief describes lessons learned form a project in Mali. The pilot project installed domestic biogas units in peri-urban zones of the city of Bamako. Wider use of biogas units would help reduce the demand for firewood in peri-urban areas and would supply higher-quality fertilizer for local farms.

Solar-Powered Water Desalination, Mauritius (2003)

Summary of lessons learned from a project in Mauritius. This project developed locally-constructed solar water desalination units and installed them in the remote community of Cite Patate, providing households with improved access to drinking water.

Fuel-Efficient Smokeless Stoves, Pakistan (2003)

Lessons learned from a project in Pakistan that spread the use of smokeless stoves among women in order to reduce their dependence upon fire-wood and improve health and general living conditions.

Improving Energy Efficiency through Building Materials, Pakistan (2003)

Lessons learned from a project in Pakistan. By installing demonstration models and training local entrepreneurs to produce these products, the project seeks to initiate wide replication of these products in a self-sustaining manner.

Improving Small Scale Brick Kiln Efficiency, Vietnam (2003)

Project case study highlighting lessons learned; this project raised awareness among local brick makers about efficient kiln technology, and educated local authorities on effects of local pollution.

  Energy and Environment – Documents pertaining to climate change, CDM or other sustainable energy strategies

Rice Paddy Husk as an Alternative Fuel for Bakeries, Sri Lanka (2003)

Project case study highlighting lessons learned; this project tested the use of a converted bakery oven that burns rice paddy husk instead of fuel wood, thereby reducing impact on forests and alleviating the problem of paddy husk accumulation.

The Best Practices for Off-grid Solar Energy: A case study on China (1998)
Author: Xiaoping Wang

Study outlining barriers to the greater use of photovoltaic (PV) solar home systems such as purchase, delivery and maintenance. Provides overview of the development of solar PV in China covering the current situation and existing problems.

Photovoltaic Power to the People: The Kenya Case (1994)

Case study describing the photovoltaic sector in Kenya by outlining domestic policies, markets, costs, support infrastructure and the regulatory environment of photovoltaics. The study concludes with recommendations for governmental policies.

PV Rural Electrification in Kiribati: A Case Study
Author: Suresh Hurry

Case study describing the rural photovoltaic (PV) electrification project in Kiribati implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and UNDP. The project provided the installation of 55 PV-solar home systems and one community system.

GEF-KAM Industrial Energy Efficiency Project

Project outlines GEF-KAM Industrial Energy Efficiency Project aiming to enhance energy efficiency by removing barriers and increasing institutional capacity in Kenya.

Energy and Global Partnerships – Examples of how UNDP is fostering global partnerships to promote energy as a vehicle for development

Other Technical Reports

Social Impact Assessment Survey of the China West-East Gas Pipeline Project: Overall Report (2002)

This report is a summary of a social impact assessment (SIA) survey of the China West-East gas pipeline project. The SIA survey assesses likely economic and social impacts on household and communities along a pipeline route in seven Chinese provinces.

Tanzania, A Study of Factors Hindering Wide Adoption of Improved Charcoal Stoves

The study conducted by TaTEDO seeks to understand why the production of ICS has not expanded to meet existing demand, and why existing demand is not greater given the benefits offered by the stove, and to identify means for addressing the problems.