Share of consumption of renewable energy resources
Category: Economic
1. Indicator
(a) Name: Share of consumption of renewable energy resources.
(b) Brief Definition: The consumption of renewable energy resources as a
ratio of total energy consumption.
(c) Unit of Measurement: %.
2. Placement in the Framework
(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.
3. Significance (Policy Relevance)
(a) Purpose: This indicator measures the proportion of energy mix between
renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: Energy is a key
aspect of consumption and production. Dependence on non-renewable resources
can be regarded as unsustainable in the long term. New reserves of fossil
energy may be discovered, but economics may exclude their use. Renewable
resources, on the other hand, can supply energy continuously under sustainable
management practices. The ratio of non-renewable to renewable energy
resources represents a measure of a country's sustainability.
(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: Interpretation of this indicator is
enhanced when combined with annual energy production, annual energy
consumption per capita, and lifetime of proven energy reserves. It is also
closely linked to some of the environmental indicators such as greenhouse gas
emissions.
(d) Targets: Not available.
(e) International Conventions and Agreements: Not available.
4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions
The elements comprising this indicator are renewable resources, non-renewable
resources, and consumption. Renewable resources refers to "energy collected
from current ambient energy flows or from substances derived from them." This
definition includes energy derived from the combustion of biomass, which
refers to any plant matter used directly as fuel or converted into fuels or
electricity and/or heat (Energy Statistics Working Group, OECD 7-8 December
1993, Paris). Renewable energy sources are biofuels (fuelwood, charcoal,
bagasse, peat, industrial wastes and municipal wastes) and electricity
derived from solar power, wind power, wave power, hydro power, geothermal
aquifers, and nuclear power. Non-Renewable resources refers to fossil fuels:
solids, liquids and gases. Consumption refers to "apparent consumption",
derived from the formula "primary production + imports - exports - bunkers -
(+/-) stock changes."
This indicator is computed by calculating the ratio of consumption of a
renewable resource over total energy consumption. Generally, the use of
renewable energy resources is shown as not cost- effective; further, because
of the various forms of renewable and their uses, data collection is
difficult.
5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from International and National
Sources
Data on renewable and non-renewable resources are available from national
statistical offices and country publications.
6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the Indicator
(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the United Nations Department of
Economics and Social Information and Policy Analysis. The contact point is
the Director, Statistics Division, DESIPA; fax no. (1 212) 963 9851.
(b) Other Organizations: The agencies involved in the development of this
indicator are the World Energy Council (WEC), the International Energy Agency,
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Eurostat,
and the Economic Commission for Europe.
7. Further Information
World Energy Council. Survey of Energy Resources. Annual Publication.
United Nations. Energy Statistics Yearbook.
LEAD AGENCY: DESIPA