By Kari Williamson

“When we put a priority on renewable energy we address job creation, we address climate change, women's empowerment and food security," he told researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) earlier this week.

"Sustainable energy cuts across nearly every major challenge we face today and will face in the future.

"We must work together to realise this initiative of sustainable energy," Ban Ki-moon added, saying the UN's goal is that every village in the world have access to electricity by 2030, and that there is a doubling of renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2030.

2012: International Year for Sustainable Energy for All

"We can create jobs that will stimulate economies and provide universal access to all the people," he said. "That is why the General Assembly has declared next year as the International Year for Sustainable Energy for All."