Energy is both an enabler and a challenge for sustainable development. It powers
our economies, fuels agriculture to feed billions of families, and provides access to
education and healthcare. However, the production and consumption of energy
also contribute to climate change, air pollution, and other environmental and
social problems. Therefore, energy governance and management are essential to
ensure that energy is produced, distributed, and consumed in a sustainable and
equitable way. Energy governance refers to the rules, institutions, and processes
that shape energy policies and decisions at the local, national, and global levels.
Energy management, on the other hand, focuses on the planning, operation, and
optimization of energy systems and processes within organizations, such as
companies, municipalities, and universities.
Effective energy governance and management can help to achieve several goals,
such as increasing access to modern energy services, improving energy security,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting innovation and job creation in
the energy sector. Moreover, energy governance and management can foster
collaboration and dialogue among different stakeholders, such as governments,
civil society, academia, and the private sector. By involving these stakeholders in
the decision-making process, energy governance and management can enhance
transparency, accountability, and legitimacy, and ensure that the energy transition
is socially and politically acceptable. Therefore, energy governance and
management are not only technical and economic issues but also social and
political ones that require interdisciplinary and participatory approaches.