Reflecting on the outcomes and implications of Rio+20, the event will have a particular focus on the extent to which low carbon development can simultaneously address concerns around energy access, poverty reduction, human development and economic growth.

On 10-11 September a conference intended to identify and discuss priority questions that need to be answered to meet the UN goal of sustainable energy for all is being held at Sussex University, co-organised by the IDS-based STEPS Centre and the IDS Climate Change Team.

Energy and development

Energy and development go hand-in-hand: lighting, cooking, mobility, heating, cooling and communications are all essential to development processes. Moreover, the manner in which energy services are realised has both positive and negative consequences for our health, environment, wealth and social relations.

Increasing access to modern energy services is seen as a key international development priority: 2012 is the United Nations’ year of Sustainable Energy for All and attempts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the context of a changing climate are more urgent than ever.

But a broader and more ambitious approach to energy and development is needed to make accessible, cleaner and more efficient energy a reality for all.

About the event

Kevin Urama, director of the African Technology Policy Studies Network in Kenya, will give the keynote speech while Ambuj Sagar of the Indian Institute of Technology and Shiva Susarla of the Energy Studies Institute in Singapore are among the speakers.

Other participants come from across a wide array of academic communities, government departments, private sector organisations and NGOs, as well as a range of countries.

The event is the second conference of the Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN) which is international in both its scope and significance. It will be hosted by SPRU and the STEPS Centre at the University of Sussex and is supported by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Registration

The registration deadline is 21 August, and costs £160 for the two days. Accommodation, conference dinner and other options are also available, at extra cost. All details are on the event website.

There is a special rate for postgraduate students of £50, which covers the two days, accommodation for one night (Monday 10 September) and the conference dinner. The spaces for postgraduate students are limited so please register as soon as possible to benefit from this offer if you are a postgraduate.

For further details contact:

Bettina Zenz, project coordinator: b.zenz@sussex.ac.uk