Energy, environment and sustainable development

There is an intimate connection between energy, the environment and sustain able development. A society seeking sustainable development ideally must ut ilize only energy resources which cause no environmental impact (e.g. which release no emissions to the environment). However, since all energy resour ces lead to some environmental impact, it is reasonable to suggest that som e (not all) of the concerns regarding the limitations imposed on sustainabl e development by environmental emissions and their negative impacts can be in part overcome through increased energy efficiency. Clearly, a strong rel ation exists between energy efficiency and environmental impact since, for the same services or products, less resource utilization and pollution is n ormally associated with increased energy efficiency. Presented in this pape r are (i) a comprehensive discussion of the future of energy use and the co nsequent environmental impacts in terms of acid precipitation, stratospheri c 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 su stainable development, and between the environment and sustainable developm ent, and an (v) illustrative example. In this regard, a number of issues re lating to energy, environment and sustainable development are examined from both current and future perspectives. In addition, some recommendations ar e drawn from the results we present for the use of energy scientists and en gineers and policy makers, along with the anticipated effects. (C) 1999 Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.