Sustainable energy - energy that is accessible, cleaner and more efficient - powers opportunity. It grows economies, lights up homes, schools and hospitals, empowers women and local communities and paves a path out of poverty to greater prosperity for all.
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, recognising that ‘…access to modern affordable energy services in developing countries is essential for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, and sustainable development, which would help to reduce poverty and to improve the conditions and standard of living for the majority of the world’s population.’
Mr Steven Agnew, MLA, was invited to talk to UNA members and representatives of other UN organisations as Leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland and as Secretary to the All Party Group on International Development. He spoke on local issues which link with the UN International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.