Energy, environment and sustainable development

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