Sustainable energy development: History of the concept and emerging themes

• Published in: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
• Main Authors: Gunnarsdóttir, Ingunn, Davidsdottir, Brynhildur, Worrell, E., Sigurgeirsdóttir, Sigurbjörg
• Other Authors: Umhverfis- og auðlindafræði (HÍ), Environment and Natural Resources (UI), Stjórnmálafræðideild (HÍ), Faculty of Political Science (UI), Félagsvísindasvið (HÍ), School of Social Sciences (UI), Háskóli Íslands, University of Iceland
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier BV 2021
• Subjects: Sustainable energy development; Energy policy; Sustainable development; Literature review; Sjálfbærni; Orkumál; Stefnumótun; Fræðilegt yfirlit; Iceland
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/2459; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.110770

Sustainable energy development is a complex multi-dimensional concept that can vary in meaning based on the context it is applied in and the perspective of the user. The role of energy in achieving sustainable development was recognized when the concept was first put forward in 1987. However, what that role consisted of was not made clear. Since then, the concept of sustainable energy development has developed to become a prominent policy objective on the international agenda, as evidenced by the introduction of the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 7 on energy. This paper presents an overview of the history of the concept as well as its emerging themes. Through a citation analysis, the most cited open-access publications relevant to the concept were identified. A thematic analysis of these most cited publications led to the identification of four interrelated themes of sustainable energy development; access to affordable modern energy services, sustainable energy supply, sustainable energy consumption, and energy security. The overarching goal of sustainable energy development was defined as furthering sustainability. Equitable access to affordable and reliable modern energy services is integral to sustainable development. A transformation of the current energy system is necessary to reduce its harmful impacts, both on the supply and demand side. This transformation is not possible unless it is economically viable through, for instance, cost-competitive technologies and changes in energy pricing to reflect the external costs of energy. This research was financially supported by Rannis – The Icelandic Centre for Research [grant number: 163464–051], the National Power Company of Iceland, the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, the Eimskip University Fund, and the Icelandic national federation of Graduate Women International.