IN DECEMBER 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, recognizing that “… access to modern, affordable energy services in developing countries is essential for the achievement of … the Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development.” During this Year of Sustainable Energy for All, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, with support from UN-Energy and the United Nations Foundation, will be leading a new global initiative: ‘Sustainable Energy for All’.
Under this initiative, activities focusing on increasing awareness about energy issues such as access to affordable energy, energy efficiency and the sustainability of various energy sources, will be organised and coordinated during 2012. The aim is for both private sector and government support to attract global attention to the importance of energy for development and poverty alleviation. The initiative seeks to ensure that sustainable energy for all is achieved by 2030 by meeting three objectives:
•    ensuring universal access to energy
•    improving energy efficiency
•    increasing the use of renewable energy

Key Elements of the Initiative and the International Year
By designating 2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, a vital platform is provided for securing national commitments toward achieving the three objectives. The key elements of this International Year are:
•    High-Level Group – The Secretary-General has called on high-level representatives from the private sector, government, UN/intergovernmental organisations and civil society to develop a global strategy and solid agenda for action to reach the three objectives. The strategy will be offered for consideration at the Rio+20 Conference in June 2012.
•    National Actions – The United Nations Development Programme will provide support to national activities on energy access, energy efficiency and renewable energy goals. National activities may include:
1.    Designation of national coordinating mechanisms to facilitate stakeholder involvement by government, private-sector, civil society and development partners;
2.    Advocacy and dialogue towards the formulation of national commitments; and
3.    Accountability mechanisms to measure success.
•    Communications and Events – The UN Foundation will support the design and execution of a global multimedia awareness campaign to raise the visibility of the energy-access issue. This will include engagement of prominent figures, including existing UN “Goodwill Ambassadors” as spokespersons.
•    Practitioner Network – The UN Foundation has launched a new global Energy Access Practitioner Network. This group will be composed of practitioners from the private sector and civil society who deliver energy services. They will be working on providing solutions related to electrification problems in developing countries in order to develop a more integrated approach to energy-access planning and execution in support of the Sustainable Energy for All Target to achieve universal energy access by 2030.
In 2012, there are a few important environmental events that will be occurring. These are:
1.    Launch of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Scheduled for January 16-18;
2.    Americas Regional Rollout of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, Barbados – Scheduled for March;
3.    UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Scheduled for June 4-6;
4.    Report to the General Assembly on International Year of Sustainable Energy for All – Scheduled for Sept. 18-21; and
5.    Closing ceremony for the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All – Scheduled for December.

You can share ideas and questions by sending your letters to: ‘Our Earth, Our Environment’, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email eit.epaguyana@gmail.com