A Contribution to Reduce Oil Consumption: A Non-Conventional Cross-Sector Strategy towards Energy Efficiency and Sustainability for Developing Countries

MA-Thesis / Master, die am 01.03.2006 erfolgreich an einer Universität in Südafrika im Fachbereich Social Science eingereicht wurde. Abstract: Unlike industrialized countries, the recent rise in oil prices has had a severe negative impact on the economies of oil importing developing countries. Conventional strategies and models to reduce oil dependence, which have been implemented in the powerful "northern" economies, are often not feasible for developing countries due to high technological costs or unsuitability. Furthermore, oil reserves will deplete and consequently world market prices will climb, rather than decline over the next decade. Therefore, I propose that cross-sector strategies have to consider socio-economic circumstances of developing countries. The strategies I suggest do not rely on conventional methods such as coal, gas, nuclear or renewable energy. My research further identifies variables on which national policies can be implemented in order to contribute to a reduction of global oil consumption. To this end, I have followed a quantitative and qualitative approach: Preliminary quantitative analysis: This demonstrates that some developing country economies are more vulnerable to oil price shocks than others. This can be measured by the ratio of the value of net oil imports to GDP. Qualitative analysis of cross-sectoral strategy: This polarizes methods applicable to industrialized countries on one hand, and solutions that work in the socio-economic circumstances of developing countries on the other. Potentials to contribute to a reduction in the oil consumption are identified in the education, agriculture, urban planning and transportation sector. In the transportation sector, data for engine idling was considered scientifically for the first time. The framework of policy analysis is used in the study to develop a general strategy to enter into a policy dialogue at the national level. Various examples are also used to this end. Ba...