ECO12: Non-carbon energy share in energy and electricity Brief Definition The share of non-carbon energy sources in primary
energy supply (TPES) and in electricity generation
and generating capacity
Units Percentage
Alternative Definitions None
Agenda 21 Chapter 4: Changing consumption and production
patterns
POLICY RELEVANCE (a) Purpose: This indicator measures the share of non-carbon energy sources in
TPES and electricity generation and generating capacity.
(b) Relevance to Sustainable Development: The promotion of energy and of
electricity from non-carbon sources is a high priority for sustainable development for
several reasons, ranging from environmental protection to the energy security and
diversification of energy supply. An increase in the share of non-carbon fuels reduces
the specific emissions — that is, emissions per unit of total energy and electricity used
— of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other pollutants affecting local air quality and
regional acidification. The introduction of carbon taxes targets, to a large extent, a
shift towards a higher share of non-carbon energy sources in the primary energy mix.
(c) International Conventions and Agreements: None.
(d) International Targets/Recommended Standards: At the World Summit on
Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002, an agreement was reached to
increase the global share of renewable energy sources. In some countries, there is a
target for a certain percentage of energy supply from renewable sources. For example,
in the European Union a directive sets quantitative targets for electricity from
renewable energy to be 21% by the year 2010, as well as indicative targets for each
Member State.
(e) Linkages to Other Indicators: This indicator is linked to fuel shares (energy
mix) and shares of renewables in energy and electricity. The indicator is also linked to
indicators of energy use and electricity generation and to environmental indicators
such as GHGs, etc.
