Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Whether it is jobs, security, climate change, food production or poverty, sustainable energy for all is essential for strengthening economies, protecting ecosystems and achieving equity.

Focus: The purpose of this publication is to provide a methodological guide to expanding access to clean energy for poor people and micro-entrepreneurs through microfinance and strengthened energy value chains. This guide is intended to support consultation processes that the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment Facility (GEF) are undertaking in CleanStart countries. This publication will be particularly useful for microfinance institutions aiming to broaden their range of financial products and move into the clean energy sector; energy companies seeking to expand their market to the base of the pyramid; and national governments seeking practical means to advance their sustainable development agenda and meet their commitments made at Rio+20.

Goal: This publication is part of the CleanStart agenda to improve understanding and awareness of the potential of microfinance to stimulate the adoption of sustainable clean energy while drawing attention to the knowledge and skills needed to add clean energy financing to lending portfolios. More detailed and targeted research and technical papers related to this subject will follow as CleanStart refines its approach -- based on the first phase of implementation and documentation of its initial experiences.

To download the publication click here