| Abstract |
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) provide concrete, time-bound objectives for dramatically reducing extreme poverty in its many dimensions by 2015 ? income poverty, hunger, disease, exclusion, and lack of infrastructure and shelter ? while promoting gender equality, education, health, and environmental sustainability. Most of the implementation of the MDGs will be in the developing and transitional countries, but with the support of the industrialised countries and the international community. Almost 70% of the countries with quantified records of geothermal utilisation are categorised as developing and transitional countries. Geothermal energy already contributes significantly to the electricity production of several countries in Central America, Asia and Africa. The direct use of geothermal resources can also replace fossil fuels significantly in densely populated areas where space heating is needed. Many industrialised and developing countries have significant experience in the development and operations of geothermal installations for direct use and/or electricity production. It is important that they open their doors to newcomers in the field. Strong international cooperation is needed in the transfer of technology and the financing of geothermal development in order to meet the MDGs and the threats of global warming. |