Energy, Environment and Development

The relationship between energy and the environment has been the basis of many studies over the years, as has the relationship between energy and development, yet both of these approaches may produce distortions. In the first edition of this book, Professor Goldemberg pioneered the study of all three elements in relation to one another. With contributions from Oswaldo Lucon, this second edition has been expanded and updated to cover how energy is related to the major challenges of sustainability faced by the world today.

The book starts by conceptualizing energy, and then relates it to human activities, to existing natural resources and to development indicators. It then covers the main environmental problems, their causes and possible solutions. Disaggregating national populations by income and by how different income groups consume energy, the authors identify the differences between local, regional and global environmental impacts, and can thus ascertain who is responsible for them. Finally, they discuss general and specific policies to promote sustainable development in energy.

New coverage is included of today's pressing issues, including security, environmental impact assessment and future climate change/renewable energy regimes. The authors also cover all major new international agreements and technological developments. Energy, Environment and Development is the result of many years of study and practical experience in policy formulation, discussion and implementation in these fields by the authors. Written in a technical yet accessible style, the book is aimed at students on a range of courses, as well as non-energy specialists who desire an overview of recent thought in the area.

Jos Goldemberg is a well-known author. He was rector of the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Brazil, where he still lectures. He has served in key decision-making positions, including as Federal Minister for the Environment, Secretary of State for Science and Technology and, years later, for the Environment. A Visiting Professor at Princeton University and at the International Academy of the Environment in Geneva, he has chaired several important works, such as the UNDP‘s World Energy Assessment. He contributed to the Nobel-awarded International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and was recognized by Time Magazine as a 'Hero of the Environment'. In 2008, he won the Blue Planet Prize for contributions to the environment.

Oswaldo Lucon is graduated in Civil Engineering and Law. He has a PhD in Energy and a MSc in Clean Technology. Working in the environmental field in the last 20 years, he has contributed to Goldemberg's works since 2002, both at USP and for the government. He was lead author of the 2006 IPCC Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory Guidelines and is now lead author of the Panel‘s Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation. Presently he is Technical Advisor on Energy and Climate Change at the Sao Paulo State Environmental Secretariat, participating in international initiatives for sustainable energy.