ECONOMIC DIMENSION ECO1: Energy use per capita Brief Definition Energy use in terms of total primary energy supply
(TPES), total final consumption (TFC) and final
electricity use per capita
Units Energy: tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) per capita
Electricity: kilowatt-hours (kWh) per capita
Alternative Definitions None
Agenda 21 Chapter 4: Consumption and production patterns
POLICY RELEVANCE (a) Purpose: This indicator measures the level of energy use on a per capita basis and
reflects the energy-use patterns and aggregate energy intensity of a society.
(b) Relevance to Sustainable Development: Energy is a key factor in economic
development and in providing vital services that improve quality of life. Although
energy is a key requirement for economic progress, its production, use and by-
products have resulted in major pressures on the environment, both by depleting
resources and by creating pollution. On the one hand, the long-term aim is for
development and prosperity to continue through gains in energy efficiency, rather
than increased use, and through a transition towards the use of environmentally
friendly energy options. On the other hand, limited access to energy is a serious
constraint in the developing world, where the per capita use of energy is less than one-
sixth that of the industrialized world.
(c) International Conventions and Agreements: Currently, there are no
conventions or agreements that specifically refer to the regulation and/or limitation of
energy use per capita. However, calls have been made for the prudent and rational
utilization of natural resources (Article 174 of the Treaty Establishing the European
Community — Nice, 2001), improved energy efficiency (The Energy Charter
Protocol on Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects — Lisbon, 1994)
and a switch to cleaner forms of energy. The United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol call for limitations on total
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greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which result mainly from the combustion of fossil
fuels.
