One of the major steps for a pro-active, time bound and concerted action to reduce poverty was when the leaders of 189 countries met in 2000 and agreed on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The fact that the first goal aims to reduce by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day, not only gives poverty precedence but it also underpins the other seven. Past studies have shown that poor access to modern energy services, particularly electricity, exacerbates poverty and contributes to its perpetuation. Hence a key issue for meeting the MDGs requires attention not only to the eight goals, but also to their inter-relationship with energy.

One of the toughest challenges before the developing world is the delivery to poor of electricity, commercial fuels, renewable energy technologies, and technologies that use biomass efficiently and in an environment friendly manner. In this context the Government of India through its flagship programme, Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), has initiated the process for electrification of all households. The programme for grid extension and household electrification needs to be complimented by similar efforts that focus on cooking energy, energy efficiency and productive use of energy.

TERI proposes to launch an initiative to draw the attention of planners and implementers globally to focus on poor and their energy needs that go beyond centralised grid extension to include some of the key concerns that have been indicated below.
- Provide clean cooking energy
- Promote productive use of energy for enhancing livelihoods
- Promote efficient use of energy
- Increase access to financing for sustainable energy.

As a first step to launching a global study TERI would welcome any suggestions, ideas, concerns, solutions that energy planners and other stakeholders may have for taking the initiative forward.