Detailed program — Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Managing and reducing environmental impact over the full life cycle of any energy system has become an integral part of the energy business. It is especially important with fossil fuels, where it is imperative to deploy cleaner, more efficient combustion technologies and introduce adequate mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions or to remove from the environment. The same challenge faces nuclear power, where spent fuel disposal is still a crucial issue. Even apparently clean technologies, such as solar photovoltaic cells, need proper recycling processes.

The general public is increasingly involved in the process of defining any project with an impact on the environment or society. But to derive the greatest benefit from this process, it is essential to adequately inform the public about the project and then ensure its concerns are reflected in the final planning. It is also necessary that all concerned have a clear understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of available energy choices. Openness and honesty constitute essential conditions for the success of any project.

Developing energy policies and practices capable of achieving energy and climate sustainability on a global scale is a complex process requiring cooperation among all stakeholders: governments, businesses, technology promoters, economists and non-governmental organisations. To further this process it is helpful to assess different energy policies and practices already in place and use them to benchmark achievements in this regard. The benchmarking exercise can also help identify vulnerabilities in the energy system and suggest ways to overcome them.

With the growing global trend toward urbanisation, the city will be the main environment therefore requiring more efficient uses of energy. Because of their high population density, and the presence of industries and infrastructures, cities also offer natural conditions for efficiency gains. District heating and cooling, high density dwellings, mass transit systems and many other efficient infrastructures have been part of the urban landscape for years. We have begun to see new global approaches in urban planning, where energy efficiency and environmental sustainability are key defining objectives.

The transport sector is emblematic of our modern society and our energy opulence. In fact, the transportation sector consumes almost half of the world oil production, the essential part of that energy being burned on roads. With increased availability of the individual car in the developing countries, it is also expected that three-quarters of the projected increase in worldwide oil demand will come from the transport sector. The positive side of that situation is that individual cars can be made far more efficient since they can rely on alternate fuels or energy sources. They can also be replaced with mass transit systems consuming far less energy to move people over the same distance. Energy efficiency is also a keyword in the air travel sector, where it is directly linked to economic competitiveness.