Energy policy for sustainable development in the emerging global and multilevel governance framework - Efficiency and institutional design in the Mekong Region 

Mekong project is funded by Academy of Finland (2005-2008) and it analyses national and international institutions affecting the formulation and implementation of energy governance in three Mekong Region countries, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.

The governance context in which developing countries develop their energy plans is becoming increasingly complex. There are increasing pressures to direct energy policy not only to meet economic development requirements but also the environmental (e.g. climate) and social (e.g. equity) pillars of sustainable development. Whereas previously energy governance was mainly defined at the national level, now it is characterised by the involvement of a variety of non-state actors from different levels of governance. Especially in the developing countries the role of multilateral and bilateral donors and lenders has increased. All aid dependent developing countries struggle to fit their own energy governance needs into the mesh of diverging priorities at the global level of bilateral and multilateral donors, non-governmental organisations, and multinational energy companies. Multi-level governance concept refers to global, regional, national and sub-national governance levels where different actors and institution from public and private sector institutions are active. The governance levels are overlapping rather than separated networks, even though there are differences about the goals and practical implementation of energy governance.

Further information:

> Finland Futures Research Centre