The provision of adequate
and reliable energy services at an affordable cost, in a secure and
environmentally benign manner and in conformity with social and economic
development needs is an essential element of sustainable development. As a key
component of energy services, electricity is vital for eradicating poverty,
improving human welfare and raising living standards. However, most current
patterns of electricity provision and consumption around the world are
unsustainable. On the one hand, approximately one-third of the world’s
population, the vast majority in developing countries, has no access to
adequate and affordable electricity, limiting the possibilities for
development. On the other hand, the environmental degradation and emissions
associated with electricity production and utilisation in other areas inhibits
sustainable development. The electricity industry is a major source of air and
water pollution and, due to its continued heavy reliance on fossil fuels, is
one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gasses (GHG) that are causing
irreversible climate change.
SOMO emphasises the
relationship between the daily economic and environmental struggles of electricity
consumers and workers in developing countries, the behaviour of multinational
power companies, and the international and regional agreements that are often negotiated
in an undemocratic and intransparent way. SOMO, in partnership with partners in
the North and South, conducts research, capacity building and awareness raising
projects in the field of energy and public services, with the aim of promoting
sustainable and equitable energy systems.
Energy News
13-04-2012
The production of electricity has direct and indirect consequences for the environment, society and the economy, nationally and internationally. On the basis of a total analysis of the energy supply chain, SOMO works with its partners towards promoting sustainable energy systems. The energy programme of SOMO is geared towards keeping subjects such as corporate accountability, sustainable development and economic rights in the energy sector, on the political and economic agenda. Two recent reports on the coal chain, ‘The Black Box’ and ‘Duurzaamheid in de Nederlandse elektriciteitssector’ (Sustainability in the Dutch Energy Sector), are contributing to this ongoing process.
24-02-2012
In spite of nice publicity campaigns full of green promises, the Dutch electricity sector does not perform very well in terms of sustainability. Price busters such as Oxxio and large producers such as RWE/Essent and E.ON pretend to be greener than they really are. Their investments in new coal-fired power stations promise little improvement. Only a few suppliers, for example Windunie, Greenchoice, NHEC and Eneco, can rightfully claim to be sustainable. These are the most important conclusions of research carried out by SOMO and commissioned by Greenpeace and Consumentenbond (Dutch Consumer’s Association).
24-01-2012
Despite earlier promises, electricity companies continue to withhold important information about the origin of the coal they use. As a result, it is likely that coal imported into the Netherlands comes from mines where abuses of human rights and the environment are taking place. This is one of the conclusions of The Black Box: Obscurity and Transparency in the Dutch Coal Supply Chain, a report published today by SOMO in collaboration with Greenpeace. SOMO and Greenpeace call on the electricity companies to be transparent about the coal supply chain and guarantee consumers that no coal is used from mines where human rights and the environment are threatened.
