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The impact of peak oil on international development (UK report)
by APPGOPO & RESET

Excerpts from the 21-page PDF, available onlne.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Peak Oil (APPGOPO) was set up in July 2007 to review
estimates of future oil production and consider the consequences of declining world
oil production for the UK and world economy.

Contents
Foreword by John Hemming MP

1 Executive Summary
2 Peak Oil
3 The political and economic impacts of Peak Oil
4 The impact of energy scarcity on humanitarian affairs
5 Possible Solutions: Building resilience
6 Alternative Energy Systems
7 Food Production
8 Resilient Community Design
9 Conclusions and Recommendations

Foreword by John Hemming MP

... In light of [peak oil] I was keen to invite experts in international development to address the All Party
Parliamentary Group on Peak Oil (APPGOPO). In March of this year RESET, Practical Action
and Global Witness made clear to the group that big changes will be required in the
international development community if it is to cope with the emerging energy crisis. RESET
and Practical Action with whom this report has been produced, spelt out how training in truly
sustainable, non-fossil fuel dependent energy generation, construction and farming methods will
be essential if communities are to become resilient to energy price rises.

In a warming world, disaster relief is likely to be more necessary than ever, as the frequency of
drought, famine and severe weather conditions increases. The ability to respond to disasters
will be seriously affected by rising energy costs. Governments and the international disaster
relief community must consider how their operations will be affected by peak oil if they are to
effectively tackle disasters in the future. ...

1 Executive Summary

The world is on the brink of an energy crisis that has drastic implications for people in the
developing world. As almost every aspect of modern life is sustained by cheap energy, the
impacts of rising oil prices will be profound.

Energy security has become a political priority for governments world-wide, a priority which
needs to be reflected in the field of international development.

... Many cities1, and some nations2, realise that global Peak Oil is not only inevitable, but
imminent. This paper argues that contingency planning now – and subsequent mobilisation
of training and adaptation of programme design – must be seen as a high priority.

This paper looks initially at Peak Oil and the likely political and economic impacts. Next it
presents a series of proposals for practical strategies to build resilience in a time of sharply
rising energy prices. Viable alternatives are offered in food production, human settlement
design and local energy security.

Global oil production is reaching its peak, critical decisions are needed to prepare
communities everywhere for the dramatic and irreversible changes ahead. Carrying on with
‘business as usual’ is no longer an option.

Peak Oil

Modern society owes its growth to energy derived from fossil
fuels, and is almost entirely dependent on it.

Global oil production has remained level since 2005, despite
significant investment and rising prices.

Peak Oil is likely to occur in the near future: our challenge is
to mitigate its impacts and enable communities to develop
resilience and self-reliance.
The political and economic impacts of energy scarcity

High energy prices reverse MDG progress

Current oil prices are likely to cause global economic
recession

Peak Oil will impact the most vulnerable in developing
countries, at a time when the twin injustice of climate
change is already hitting hard

Reduced energy demand and alternative energy sources are
essential for economic and political security
Impact of energy scarcity on humanitarian relief

The current aid model is energy hungry and vulnerable to
energy scarcity

Capacity to provide assistance is dwindling as the world
economy is hit by soaring oil prices

The food crisis is set to deepen if modern agriculture
remains reliant on fossil fuels

As we strive to “make poverty history” the twin crises of
climate change and energy scarcity threaten to make it
permanent
8 Resilient Community Design

Resilient Buildings

Climate responsive design which provides thermal comfort and security

Energy efficient design for minimum energy demand
Building materials and practices that support local, transferable skills development
Durable design that supports health and well being
Design for minimum environmental impact, by using local and renewable
materials

Design for low cost and maintenance
Skills training in appropriate, low energy building design
Renewable Energy Generation

Capture and use of local energy sources (solar, wind, micro-hydro, bio-gas)

Design for local/community level energy storage and supply
Energy systems which support local, transferable skills development
Design for minimum cost and maintenance
Skills training for maintenance and replication
Local Food Production

o Zoning for food production spaces

Planning for allotments and orchards around buildings
Consideration of design appropriate to arid, temperate or humid climates
Minimise external inputs, maximise internal, organic inputs
Community supported agriculture, including possibilities for urban agriculture32
Skills training for local food production
Integrated Water & Sanitation

Implementing rainwater capture, storage and supply strategies

Micro-irrigation for local agriculture
‘Grey-water’ retention, filtration and use
Energy capture and use from sewerage and organic waste (compost,
vermiculture, biogas)

http://www.energybulletin.net/node/46003

[CarlosFerreira]

I've downloaded and I am going to read this. But, just the fact that members of Parliament in Britain are acknowledging Peak Oil (a week or so after Gordon Brown address the issue of post-oil economy in this article) makes me very happy, especially because I'm moving there come next September!

Seriously, though, I think it's too early to say it's going to be just like when it came to CFCs, that everyone acted just in time, but the people ruling the countries being aware and reflecting on matters can only be good. Maybe some of them will come to this forum?

Pessimism is the word of the day. This means nothing, no action has been taken. But recognizing the fact is, in itself, good news. They made it public. Much better than what the Bush Administration did with the Hirsch Report.

[Ayoob]

That report is essentially good news for the US.

[CarlosFerreira]

That report is essentially good news for the US.

I still haven't got round to ready it. Why is it so good news for the US?

[energycity]

I've downloaded and I am going to read this. But, just the fact that members of Parliament in Britain are acknowledging Peak Oil (a week or so after Gordon Brown address the issue of post-oil economy in this article) makes me very happy, especially because I'm moving there come next September!

This report and the Prime Minister's speech are very welcome, but I'd like to hear the opposition Conservative Party acknowledge peak oil since they seem almost certain to take over in 2010. Without their agreement no serious long-term planning can take place. Their silence over food and energy security, their talk about fuel tax reductions and their hesitancy over nuclear power suggests they don't yet appreciate the seriousness & urgency of the situation.

[CarlosFerreira]

I suppose the Conservative Party acknowledges it. The report is authored by APPGOPO - All Party Parliamentary Group on Peak Oil. There are a few authors from the Conservative Party there, in page 2. They're not throwing it away saying it's rubbish.

But I'm with you on that one: will the Conservatives do anything about it?

[Ayoob]

That report is essentially good news for the US.

I still haven't got round to ready it. Why is it so good news for the US?

The third world staying in poverty means more resources for developed nations.