Energy Indicators for Sustainable Development: Guidelines and Methodologies International Atomic Energy Agency United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs International Energy Agency Eurostat European Environment Agency

ECO13: Renewable energy share in energy and electricity 
Brief Definition 
The share of renewable energy in total primary 
energy supply (TPES), total final consumption 
(TFC) and electricity generation and generating 
capacity (excluding non-commercial energy) 
Units 
Percentage 
Alternative Definitions 
None 
Agenda 21 
Chapter 4: Changing consumption and production 
patterns 
POLICY RELEVANCE
(a) Purpose: This indicator measures the share of renewable energy in TPES, TFC 
and electricity generation and generating capacity. 
(b) Relevance to Sustainable Development: The promotion of energy, and in 
particular of electricity from renewable sources of energy, is a high priority for 
sustainable development for several reasons, including the security and diversification 
of energy supply and environmental protection. 
(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 urgently and substantially the global share of renewable energy sources. A 
coalition was formed at the Summit that includes countries and regions willing to set 
themselves targets and time frames for the increase of renewable energy sources in the 

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energy mix. More than 80 countries are now members of this coalition. Also, in some 
countries there is a target for the percentage of electricity from renewable sources. For 
example, in the European Union a directive sets the quantitative target of 21% for 
electricity from renewable energy 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) in energy and electricity and non-carbon fuel shares. Also, the indicator is linked 
to indicators related to security of supplies and environmental protection.