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Policy Matters

The Millennium Development Goals represent a global partnership highlighting commitments and targets established at the World Summits of the 1990s. The Goals do not mention energy specifically, but virtually each one needs improvements in energy services if it is to succeed. In terms of household energy, three important goals involve:
• reducing child mortality;
• promoting gender equality; and
• creating environmental sustainability.

In November of 2009, Gaia brought together key stakeholders and policymakers from Ethiopia and abroad to discuss the use of ethanol for household energy. Here, the chairman Bekele Beyissa of ENSED (Ethiopian Network for Sustainable Energy Development) prefaces the Ministry of Mines and Energy Biofuel development strategy which addresses ethanol for household cooking. Contribute to promoting real change.

Introducing fuel-alcohol technologies can support these government commitments. Ideally, country governments need to provide certain conditions if ethanol /methanol technologies are to succeed:
• A supportive environment for NGOs. Pilot studies are perhaps best done by NGOs, who can consult communities, run promotions (supported by government bodies), and ensure that the technology is the ‘right one’ for the community.
• A conducive environment for entrepreneurs. Businesses thrive when governments provide a non-bureaucratic supportive environment and assistance with tax measures (waiving import duties, reducing taxes in the first years of business etc.).
• A commitment to clean energy. Governments can support the use of ethanol as a household fuel as a priority, preventing all the fuel being used for transport fuel blending for wealthier nations.

Benefits
Where fuel-alcohol is used in the household, dramatic reductions in pollutants improve health, reduce greenhouse gases, and reduce environmental degradation though woodfuel savings. Governments may not get the revenue from exported ethanol, but they make massive savings in imported fossil fuels such as kerosene. Government commitments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals are thus more likely to be met.