Energy, Environment and Development Energy is basic to development. On the individual level, modern energy services can transform people's lives for the better. They improve people's productivity, and they free millions of women and children from a daily grind of water and fuel wood collection. At the same time there is a downside. Environmental Concerns Higher use of fossil fuels means increased emissions of carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change.
Urban transport is another major source of local pollution.
In developing countries, local air pollution causes as much as 4 million premature deaths each year. Strengthening monitoring and enforcement capabilities for mitigating the environmental impacts of energy production and use across all levels of government, with a focus on local government and an increased role of communities and civil society.