Colloquially speaking, we need more, cleaner, and cheaper energy. Energy is the power of a body or system to perform work. Because energy is finite, it is neither generated nor consumed, but transformed from different sources, such as crude oil and electromagnetic radiation of the sun into different forms, such as physical movement, heat, and light. The main problems associated with our energy management relate to the transformation and storage of energy, the efficiency and byproducts of the energy transfer, production methods and consumption patterns, and costs associated with all of the above.

The 1^st Basel Sustainability Forum focuses on the relations between energy and sustainability. It is aimed at sensitizing an interested general public on new developments in energy transfer from scientific, consumer, and business perspectives. Topics to be covered at this event are the potential of artificial photosynthesis (Prof. Constable), the influence of climate change on access to renewable energy in France and the Upper Rhine region (Dr. Grégoire), coordination efforts of the Chamber of Commerce in France to share energy-efficient technology advances among businesses in the Alsace (Mr. Goetz), energy-related personal consumption patterns in Switzerland (Prof. Burger), and the economics of energy (Prof. Krysiak).