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As its first work theme the GNESD
Steering
Committee chose to focus on the “Energy Access”
issue.
In early 2004, the The Steering Committee launched an "Energy Access II
Dissemination phase" theme
along with an assessment of the potential and possibilities of
Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) in contributing to sustainable
development. 9 Member Centres are currently being contracted for work on an
Implementation phase of the Access theme (Energy Access III).
More on GNESD's theme Working Groups:
Following are
the types of activities that can be undertaken by the GNESD
Centres of Excellence (the Members) and Network
Partners:
Building knowledge and
sharing lessons learned:
-
assist in analysis of
policies and business models for energy for sustainable
development
-
assist in evaluation
of sustainable energy technologies
-
promote activities
that raise awareness and disseminate information
-
create a global base
of knowledge on policy experience and ways to adapt that experience to
specific national circumstances, and
-
build communities of
practitioners on specific issue areas, such as power sector reform,
policy and governance issues in energy, development, environment,
interdisciplinary policies for energy for rural development,
application of information technology for promotion of sustainable
energy, and climate change mitigation, by means of ad-hoc working
groups.
Improving
capabilities (capacity development on multiple levels):
-
provide information
and share knowledge and advice
-
provide technical
services to developing country decision-makers
-
provide thematic
support to governments and the private sector on sustainable energy
policies, approaches, technologies, partners and programmes, and
-
develop capacity
among major stakeholders and share the lessons and knowledge acquired
in formulating and implementing sustainable energy approaches.
Facilitating
development of new approaches and projects:
-
help developing
country governments strengthen their policy frameworks as a necessary
foundation for sustainable energy projects, programmes and
investments
-
help design or
structure national and sectoral energy planning studies
-
assist energy
authorities in outlining finance and investment strategies, including
those involving partnerships with private sector investors, assist
project developers and entrepreneurs in developing sound business
models, and
-
assess and provide
advice on renewable energy/energy efficiency policies and projects.
Generating New
Knowledge (through structuring energy policy research projects):
-
identify key
research/study activities that would fill gaps in knowledge
-
help apply knowledge
where specific decisions are needed on sustainable energy issues, and
-
structure and foster
collaboration on applied policy research studies that conceptualise
and operationalise approaches to sustainable energy policies, and analyse
experiences.
The difference between Network Members and
Network Partners
The Centres of Excellence - also called
Network Members - constitute the core of the activities of
GNESD. Network Members take part in the ad-hoc Working Groups and their
activities are funded by the GNESD Secretariat via individual contracts.
Network Partners are
those parties in both developing and industrialized countries that are able
and willing to contribute substantively to the goals of the Network and who
have expressed an interest in being partner to the GNESD. Partners are
typically from one of the following broad groups:
-
Existing centres noted for their work on energy for sustainable
development (generally such partners will also be Network Member
Institutions).
-
Governments and government agencies, both from developing and
industrialized countries (including donor governments) .
-
UN
agencies and other multilateral organizations.
-
The World Bank, regional development banks, and other international
financial institutions, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
-
The private sector, including representation through industry or trade
associations .
-
NGOs with expertise in related policy, technical, and project
implementation areas, and
-
Existing sectoral networks for agriculture, water, education, and
rural entrepreneurship that are linked to energy and sustainable
development.
Partners are not obligated in any way to contribute financially to the
Network nor do they receive funding from the GNESD Secretariat for
theme activities . Network Partners are invited the the annual
Assembly and a given early access draft material for comments. Read more about GNESD
Read more on the underlying
rationale behind GNESD.
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