New asian development bank energy partnership aims to reach 100 million people

The need for cross-sector partnerships to provide sustainable energy solutions to the poor is more pressing than ever in the Asia-Pacific region, where more than more than 800 million people have no access to energy, and nearly 1.8 billion people still rely on traditional biomass fuels to meet their cooking and heating needs.

During the Asia Clean Energy and Climate Week 2009, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched the Energy for All Partnership, which aims to provide access to modern energy to an additional 100 million people in the Asia-Pacific region by 2015.

As a member of the Steering committee of the E4All, the WBCSD joined the launch event that took place at ADB's headquarters in Manila.

Ursula Schaefer-Preuss, ADB vice-president for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, speaking at the launch, said the Energy for All Partnership will emphasize low-cost, environmentally friendly technologies and innovative financing mechanisms that will enable even the poorest households to gain access to energy.

This will have a significant impact on all households, especially on women and children and particularly regarding their health security.

"For households without energy, the benefits of access are immediate and life-changing," said Ms. Schaefer-Preuss. "The benefits of modern energy extend across the spectrum of human development, from improved health, education and social equality, to increased economic opportunity and higher agricultural productivity."

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Source: World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)