Energy statistics and balances

Energy is fundamental for socio-economic development. The availability of and access to energy is particularly essential to poverty reduction and further improvements in standards of living. However, with the constantly increasing demand for energy, there are growing concerns about the sustainability and reliability of current production and consumption patterns and the impact of the use of fossil fuels on the environment. Under these circumstances, the reliable and timely monitoring of the supply and use of energy becomes indispensable for sound decision making. Such monitoring is only possible with high quality energy statistics that are systematically compiled and effectively disseminated. This is recognized by the international community with the inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of a dedicated goal on energy (SDG 7).