HELIO International's name comes from the various energy options that best support ecodevelopment. The idea was born in 1996 during preparations for RIO+5. HELIO obtained its not-for-profit status in July 1997 and is registered under the French Law of 1901.
Our objectives
Analyse whether energy policy was supporting ecodevelopment
Assess whether existing and future energy assets were vulnerable to the impacts of climate change
Call attention to a smart energy path approach to ensure ecodevelopment
HELIO has proudly held a unique place in the global environmental movement. It owes this to its members, who have been professionally demanding and dedicated to the public good globally.
Dr. Hélène Connor
Founder and Honorary President
What is ecodevelopment ?
Ecodevelopment is sustainable and equitable development for all. It is the use of natural resources with usufructal technologies and the regulation of markets with participatory governance. The harmonious interaction between the environment and markets results in ecodevelopment.
Develop local strategies by and for local citizens
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Facilitate and train to build-up local capacity
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Ensure non-duplication of efforts
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Maintain openness and transparency
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Guarantee that solutions are environmentally, technologically and economically sustainable
Sustainable energy watch observatory
HELIO is known for it methodologies and indicator development.
SEW
1997
The first set of policy indicators measured a country or region’s progress towards or movement away from sustainability. This was called the Sustainable Energy Watch (SEW) indicators. More infos
VAR
2009
With the increasing threat of climate change impacts, the SEW indicators were enlarged to include indicators that measured the vulnerability of energy systems to climate change and analysed the capacity of adaptation and resilience (VAR) of a country, therefore also assessing the quality of governance. This second set of indicators was called VAR indicators. More infos
TIPEE
2011
Good decisions require good information. However, good information is often not readily available. HELIO’s TIPEE indicators allowed decision makers to use information at-hand to assess whether a current energy policy, under changing climatic conditions, is on track to meet ecodevelopment objectives. TIPEE is from the French Traitement de l’information pour des politiques énergétiques favorisant l’écodéveloppement. More infos
SEP
2013
The Smart Energy Path (SEP) includes all stakeholders as joint decision makers. Together they identify a viable long-term future, requiring only or mostly local energy resources. This ecodevelopment planning is done using backcasting. More infos
HIFI
2014
The HELIO Index for Investors (HIFI) helps financiers identify countries best-suited for investment based on how well a country’s energy policies are conducive to the ecodevelopment of the country. Countries practicing SEP would qualify for such investments. More infos
The encompassing nature of ecodevelopment, coupled with HELIO's philosophy of inclusive participation, allowed for dialogue and debate across disciplines, countries and even cultures.
Laura E. WILLIAMSON
Founding Board Secretary, Project Director & Board Member
Other tools
CUBE
Citizen's Utilities Board. HELIO defined public participation procedures to allow energy userscivil society to be better informed and participate in the energy planning processes as a result of liberalised European power markets.
SSN
SouthSouthNorth monitoring.
HELIO was a key partner in identifying and developing initiatives around climate change, sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
GOLD STANDARD
HELIO developed a monitoring methodology, used by SSN and WWF to create the GOLD STANDARD to select energy and climate projects compatible with the Kyoto Protocol.
Observer at UN conferences
UNFCCC
HELIO participated in all the UNFCCC Conference of Parties up to COP21, hosting numerous side-events and presenting its on-going work. At COP5 HELIO introduced the first set of indicators to measure the sustainability of projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). HELIO presented its latest tool at COP21.
UN ECOSOC, CSD, WSSD, RIO+5, RIO+10, RIO+20
At RIO+10 (WSSD) HELIO coordinated the French NGO and official contribution on energy. HELIO also presented a major report within the official events in cooperation with International Energy Agency and the World Energy Council. The report used the SEW indicators to track the contribution of energy policies worldwide to ecodevelopment.
Governance
Policy decision making body that guided all of HELIO’s activities including over seeing the finances of the organisation.
Responsible for developing and adapting indicators used in HELIO’s work as well as providing technical assistance.
Responsible for identifying and communicating regional issues.
Identified and liasied with in-country reporters
Responsible for preparing country-level reports using HELIO’s Sustainable Energy Watch Indicators
Over the years a core team of people supported HELIO through its Board, Technical Committees and Steering Group. They are listed here:
Valérie Blanchot-Courtois, Helene Connor, Christian Doualla, Pierre Beaudouin, Richard Heede, Robert Gould, Alain Guinebault, Rod Janssen, Emilio La Rovere, Axel Michaelowa, John Robinson, Youba Sokona, Steve Thorne, Ibrahim Togola, Laura E. Williamson
In 2015, after twenty years of operation, HELIO International decided to discontinue its in-country activities. It now concentrates its resources and knowledge through this Creative Commons website. HELIO’s methodologies, indicators and tools remain available to all ; to be used in promoting ecodevelopment through better decision-making and planning in the energy sphere.
