This paper was informed from an expert group meeting held at Columbia University, New York, on March 31, 2010.
Abstract
The provision of modern energy services is recognised as a critical foundation for sustainable
development. There are increasing discussions within the international community about establishing an
international target for universal access to modern energy services. Such a target would provide a much
needed political prioritisation and build on ongoing national activity. To ensure effectiveness, and to
underpin delivery and policy formation, will require analytical work on both definitions and
measurement. There is considerable precedent in the use of indicators and indices in the development and
energy sectors. Drawing on that literature, we outline several options that could inform future work in
this area. Such measurement and reporting tools will need to be simple, politically attractive, and
analytically robust – a difficult balancing act. We propose that annual measurement and reporting at the
national level be established in five to seven pilot countries through two composite indices and their
respective indicators, and three to five new innovative and complementary metrics.
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