Do we have a common future with regard to energy?

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) groups 190 international firms that are calling for a sustainable economic development based on an optimized combination of solutions for solving energy problems while fighting against climatic change. Besides efforts to save energy, improve efficiency and develop innovative low-carbon techniques, it is essential to work out a balanced mix of actions for maximizing the advantages to be drawn from various energy sources. Public policies must organize and support research and development so that all worthwhile options are explored and the results put on the market in time. Special opportunities for public-private partnerships exist in the construction of prototypes and demonstration of innovations in nuclear energy. (author)