Decisions on energy policies and associated investment are among the most difficult facing countries, particularly in developing economies. On them may depend billions of dollars and even determine whether energy services are available to the poor. This paper examines how open data and crowdsourcing – the out-sourcing of tasks to a distributed group of people – can assist developing countries. The paper provides a survey of existing research and explores the potential role that open data can play in both supporting analysis and in enhancing public engagement with energy issues. The paper argues that open modelling efforts can improve the utility and accessibility of energy models and also lower the cost of data collection and management.

The cities of the 21st century are the largest sites of human settlement today and are increasingly acting as critical nexus points of social, economic, ecological and technological change. This is especially evident in the developing world city context, where growth is most rapid and where future sustainability challenges will be most severe - all this in the light of growing inequalities, poverty and the pervasiveness of slums and informality. This publication presents a rationale for socially inclusive urban transitions to sustainable growth and draws on a range of case studies and theoretical and analytical considerations to establish the basis of the argument. It outlines practical steps that cities can take towards resource efficiency, including: the integration social measures into urban development; governance approaches that engage local communities and civil society groups; financial incentives and subsidies for green technologies; technology transfer; and innovation.

Improving energy access in developing countries is a key method of realizing development goals. However, climate change prompts policymakers to move away from fossil-fuel powered development; improvements in energy access must now be achieved with low carbon energy technology. This report, published by the World Bank Group (WBG), assesses the task of delivering universal access to modern energy in East Asia and the Pacific. The report’s key messages are as follows: achieving universal energy access to modern energy within the East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) region is possible within two decades; governments need to focus on two tracts, on-grid and off-grid programmes and improved access to modern cooking fuels; both tracts are affordable, but require significant support in low-access countries; the WBG is committed to expanding policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and financing to help EAP countries achieve universal energy access to modern energy.

The intent of this guideline is to present a simple and educational background regarding not only about carbon markets, but their current opportunities, as well as local and international procedures that a project proponent must meet to successfully incorporate the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and emit carbon certificates in the international market. The document includes the following sections: (a) The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), (b) The carbon market, (c) The CDM project cycle, (d) Key steps in developing a CDM project. (e) Projects to reduce energy emissions, (f) Financial and contractual elements of a CDM project. The original document is in Spanish.

This report is an early excerpt of the forthcoming Energy Technology Perspectives 2012. It provides a comprehensive tracking of progress in the development and deployment of clean energy and energy efficiency technologies in the power generation, industry, buildings, and transport sectors. Progress is compared against rates required to achieve a 2oC limit in global temperature rise. Three main areas evaluated are: (1) Technology progress; (2) Market creation; (3) Technology penetration. The report finds that while some progress has been made, most clean energy technologies are not on track to make their required contribution to reducing Co2 emissions and thereby provide a more secure energy system. It highlights that getting back on track is possible, if timely and significant policy action is taken.