Introduction

Abstract

Energy is a vital component of sustainable development, as this statement by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasizes. The availability of energy services is of utmost importance for the functioning of modern society. Most of our everyday activities require energy consumption, access to energy is central for fulfilling basic needs and today’s economic processes strongly rely on energy input. At the same time, energy production and its use have a number of negative externalities, posing major threats to development achievements. Climate change serves as a notable example. More than two thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions originate from the energy sector (OECD/IEA 2013:79).