Sustainable Energy Watch: a description...

In the absence of an energy chapter in Agenda 21, HELIO International has undertaken to assess and monitor the contribution of energy systems to an improved quality of life and to check the implementation of environmental Conventions and principles. To ensure accurate, unbiased information on energy development, HELIO created the Sustainable Energy Watch, (SEW).

SEW is...

a worldwide network of energy experts and grassroots leaders. Their combined analysis of in-country energy production and evaluation of daily life provides a comprehensive assessment of energy developments and their impacts on society. 

Aimed at policy-makers, business people and concerned citizens, the SEW reports follow a central methodology (81 KB, PDF) and are based on a eight indicators (124 KB, PDF) (en français 135 KB, PDF) selected for their relevance, clarity, balance and timeliness; using these as benchmarks, the country-level analysts impart their experience and provide an independent view of the energy scene in their own country. Their reports can then be used by governments and other stakeholders to better promote ecodevelopment via comprehensive energy policies.

• The first report series "Is Energy Currently Contributing to Sustainable Development was produced in 1997, at the Rio + 5 Forum.
  

• The second series was published for the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development(2002).

• The third report series was released May 2006 as a contribution to CSD 14.  The Ultimate Challenge:  Energy for Global Ecodevelopment is a series of 18 national reports, one regional report and a global report.

• "A preliminary assessment of energy and ecosystem resilience in ten African countries" was released May 2007 at CSD 15.  This report is a preliminary attempt to identify points of vulnerability as they relate to climate change-related events and sketch out what changes are needed.

The third report series and the 2007 report were supported by a grant from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

L