Browse by: "2005"

This International Energy Agency review of Norway's energy policies and programmes examines recent developments related to each type of energy as well as environmental and market issues.

Energy policy in Norway continues to be the object of considerable domestic and international political attention. The development of its petroleum resources contributes significantly to Europe’s security of supply. Norway enjoys extensive access to hydro power and its pioneer role in the liberalised Nordic electricity market is commendable. However, Norway is now facing important challenges. Energy consumption growth is outpacing onshore energy production, and CO₂ emissions are rising. Better understanding by the general public is essential to overcome these challenges. 

Meeting its Kyoto target without compromising security of supply is Norway’s biggest energy policy challenge. We recommend a comprehensive public debate covering all the tools of climate change policy, including intensive use of Kyoto mechanisms. Norway expects a significant contribution from Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), but the technological and economic realities of CCS need to be considered in the public debate and decision making.  

The Norwegian petroleum industry is close to reaching peak of production. The government’s transparent and forward-looking way of addressing this is commendable. It has taken action to increase exploration and to open industrial opportunities further. The partial privatisation of Statoil is an important progress since the last review. Norwegian management of petroleum resources is an example of “best practice” in the management of valuable natural resources in a small economy.  

Low rainfall in 2002-03 highlighted the importance of trade and domestic investment in generating capacity to secure reliable electricity services. The planned transmission link between Norway and the Netherlands is therefore important. Increasing domestic access to gas can also make a significant contribution to security of supply in electricity, as it contributes to the diversification of generation sources. Congestion has become a regular feature in the Nordic electricity market, and more integrated regulatory planning and the development of transmission capacity should be addressed in concert with other Nordic countries.

The International Energy Agency's review of Turkey's energy policies and programmes.  Following a summary of the conclusions and recommendations, the report surveys the general energy scene and energy policy in Turkey, looks at energy and the environment, reviews efforts to enhance energy efficiency, and then examines developments related to oil, natural gas, coal, renewable energy, and electricity.  The book closes with a look at Turkey's R&D efforts related to energy. 

The book finds that Turkey has undertaken significant reforms to open energy markets, but needs to undertake further actions to see the process to a successful conclusion.  Turkey has been very active in international co-operation and has become an important energy corridor between east and west.  It has transposed many EU laws and regulations into its own national legislation and is in the process of synchronising its electricity network with the European grid.  It has also ratified the Framework Convention on Climate Change and is developing a climate change strategy.  But it needs to focus more on energy supply and conservation, do more to evaluate the cost effectiveness of its policies, and better co-ordinate policies across various government bodies.

Cet ouvrage présente des données sur l’approvisionnement et la consommation énergétique, exprimées en unité d'origine pour le charbon, le pétrole, le gaz, l'électricité, la chaleur, les énergies renouvelables et les déchets pour plus de 100 pays ne faisant pas partie de l’OCDE. Les tableaux historiques présentent une synthèse des données sur la production, les échanges et la consommation finale. On trouvera dans cet ouvrage des définitions des produits et des flux, ainsi que des notes explicatives sur les données de chaque pays.

 

 

Cet ouvrage présente des données sur l’approvisionnement et la consommation énergétique, exprimées en unités d'origine pour le charbon, le pétrole, le gaz, l'électricité, la chaleur, les énergies renouvelables et les déchets. Les tableaux historiques présentent une synthèse des données sur la production, les échanges et la consommation finale. On trouvera dans cet ouvrage des définitions des produits et des flux, ainsi que des notes explicatives sur les données de chaque pays. Dans les Bilans énergétiques des pays de l’OCDE 2002-2003, recueil publié parallèlement au présent document, les données sont présentées sous forme de bilans énergétiques complets exprimés en millions de tonnes d’équivalent pétrole.

 

Energy Technologies at the Cutting Edge shows how the international community is looking to technology to help meet the pressing challenges of energy security, environmental protection, economic growth, and the need for clean energy technologies. This book presents information on a series of research, development and demonstration projects developed under a programme of international energy technology collabortion developed by the International Energy Agency. The projects cover clean and advanced fossil fuel technologies (including carbon capture and storage), an entire range of renewable energies (including biofuels), hydrogen and fuel cells, end-use technologies for transport, buildings and industry, fusion and cross-sectional activities.

Print copies of this report are freely available, on request, from IEA.

The services sector now accounts for over 70% of employment and value added in OECD economies. It also accounts for almost all employment growth in the OECD area. But despite its growing weight in OECD economies, productivity growth and employment rates in services remain low in many OECD countries.

This report provides an overview of the role of services in economic performance, and the factors that affect services sector performance. This includes the role of labour and product markets, the impact of barriers to trade in services, the role of innovation in services and the impacts of information and communications technology (ICT) on the services sector. The report also includes a paper presenting case studies of successful services firms, which help illustrate the broader analysis from OECD data.

Government and its agencies have a fundamental lead role to play in providing an environment favourable to business operations and conducive to private investment. This is especially true for small business. In order to flourish and grow they need an environment that facilitates and enables business start-ups, does not hamper them with excessive and costly regulations, and facilitates access to finance and business services.

In 2002, the OECD and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) launched the Enterprise Policy Performance Assessments (EPPAs) in the framework of the Investment Compact for South East Europe (SEE) Programme. The EPPAs consist of a series of reports covering all countries of South East Europe They assess the quality of government policy for the Small and Medium Enterprise sector, and regularly monitor its implementation. The 2004 edition of the EPPAs has been prepared by the OECD and the EBRD in close consultation with the European Commission. Synergies have been created between the EPPA and the European Union Charter for Small Business, covering seven policy dimensions:

• institutional framework;
• regulatory environment;
• tax policy;
• access to finance;
• advisory services;
• business incubators; and,
• entrepreneurship, vocational training and access to technology.

 This Enterprise Policy Performance Assessment report is presented as an independent and constructive contribution to the debate on enterprise policy in Romania, bringing forward the views of the small business sector and providing a set of priority actions and policy recommendations to the government and the small business community.

This DAC Reference Paper outlines key issues faced when designing Environmental Fiscal Reform (EFR). EFR refers to a range of taxation and pricing measures which can raise fiscal revenues while furthering environmental goals. The objective is to provide insights and “good practice” on how development co-operation agencies can help developing countries take advantage of EFR approaches in both their development and poverty reduction strategies.

Following a review of the instruments of EFR and related technical issues, Environmental Fiscal Reform for Poverty Reduction focuses on the political economy and governance aspects of EFR. This includes an examination of the precondition for successful design and implementation, the various steps involved through the EFR Policy Cycle, the challenges faced at each stage, and the main stakeholders involved. The role of donors in supporting EFR processes is also outlined.

Subsequently, these issues are reviewed in relation to sectors of particular relevance for developing countries: forestry, fisheries, fossil fuel, electricity, drinking water and industrial pollution control.

This book brings together the findings of key sector- and media-specific analyses of the environment in the Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia (EECCA) area and puts forward a set of indicators to provide a one-stop, concise and up-to-date assessment that is accessible also to a non-specialist audience. It systematically looks at environmental legislation, policies, and institutions; pollution prevention and control; natural resources management; environmental policy integration; financial resources for the environment; environmental information and public awareness; and co-operation on transboundary issues.

It finds that the problems are serious, but they vary across countries.  A significant burden of environmental disease persists – one out of 1 000 children born in Tajikistan dies before the age of five due to diarrhoeal diseases closely associated to lack of safe water.  Despite low income levels, natural resources are under heavy pressure – nine out of twelve countries forming the region are water-stressed. To confront those problems, institutional development and policy responses would need to be stepped up.  This assessment finds that current policies are often ineffective in stimulating significant improvements, scarce resources are spent without clear programmatic frameworks, and policy integration is very limited.