Energy, environment and sustainable development

There is an intimate connection between energy, the environment and sustainable development. A society seeking sustainable development ideally must utilize only energy resources which cause no environmental impact (e.g. which release no emissions to the environment). However, since all energy resources lead to some environmental impact, it is reasonable to suggest that some (not all) of the concerns regarding the limitations imposed on sustainable development by environmental emissions and their negative impacts can be in part overcome through increased energy efficiency. Clearly, a strong relation exists between energy efficiency and environmental impact since, for the same services or products, less resource utilization and pollution is normally associated with increased energy efficiency. Presented in this paper are (i) a comprehensive discussion of the future of energy use and the consequent environmental impacts in terms of acid precipitation, stratospheric ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect, (ii) some solutions to current environmental issues in terms of energy conservation and renewable energy technologies, (iii) some theoretical and practical limitations on increased energy efficiency, (iv) discussions of the relations between energy and sustainable development, and between the environment and sustainable development, and an (v) illustrative example. In this regard, a number of issues relating to energy, environment and sustainable development are examined from both current and future perspectives. In addition, some recommendations are drawn from the results we present for the use of energy scientists and engineers and policy makers, along with the anticipated effects. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.