SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy - Ensuring Access to Sustainable and Reliable Energy for All

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy - Ensuring Access to Sustainable and Reliable Energy for All

Affordable and clean energy is essential for economic development, poverty reduction, and sustainable growth. The seventh SDG goal, "Affordable and Clean Energy," aims to ensure universal access to sustainable and modern energy services while increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

Progress and Challenges

According to the United Nations, more than 840 million people around the world still lack access to electricity, and approximately 3 billion people still rely on traditional biomass for cooking and heating. In addition, global energy-related CO2 emissions continue to rise, contributing to climate change and air pollution.

However, progress has been made in increasing access to sustainable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Between 2010 and 2018, the number of people without access to electricity dropped from 1.2 billion to 840 million. Meanwhile, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power have grown rapidly in recent years, with renewable energy accounting for over 70% of new power capacity additions in 2019.

Statistics:

Here are some statistics related to this goal:

1. As of 2019, 789 million people still lack access to electricity, mostly in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. (Source: International Energy Agency)

2. In 2018, renewable energy accounted for 72% of new power capacity additions globally and solar and wind power made up 84% of this growth. (Source: International Renewable Energy Agency)

3. While the use of renewable energy sources is increasing, 80% of the world’s energy still comes from fossil fuels. (Source: United Nations)

4. In 2019, the global energy intensity, or the amount of energy used per unit of GDP, improved by 1.2%, but this rate is still slower than the required 3% per year to meet SDG 7 targets. (Source: International Energy Agency)

5. The International Energy Agency estimates that $2.3 trillion of investment in energy efficiency measures and renewable energy is required per year until 2030 to achieve SDG 7 targets. (Source: International Energy Agency)

6. Access to clean cooking fuels and technologies remains a challenge, with 2.6 billion people still relying on traditional biomass, such as wood and charcoal. (Source: International Energy Agency)

7. The International Energy Agency estimates that energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 decreased by 6% compared to 2019, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a sustained annual decrease of 7.6% is required until 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. (Source: International Energy Agency)

These statistics highlight the progress and challenges in achieving SDG 7, and the need for significant investment and continued efforts to transition to a sustainable energy system.

Policies and Interventions

To achieve the goal of affordable and clean energy, governments and organizations around the world are implementing policies and interventions to increase access and promote sustainable energy use. Some examples of these policies and interventions include:

1. Energy access programs: Programs that increase access to energy services for people living in rural or remote areas, such as off-grid solar systems, can help to provide sustainable and reliable energy sources.

2. Renewable energy incentives: Policies that incentivize the use of renewable energy sources, such as tax credits and feed-in tariffs, can help to promote the growth of renewable energy.

3. Energy efficiency programs: Programs that promote energy efficiency in buildings, appliances, and transportation can help to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Fossil fuel subsidies: Phasing out subsidies for fossil fuels can help to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources and promote a shift towards sustainable and clean energy.

Source URLs

To learn more about the statistics and policies related to SDG 7, you can visit the following sources:

United Nations Development Programme: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-7-affordable-and-clean-energy.html

International Energy Agency: https://www.iea.org/reports/sdg7-tracking-sdg7-the-energy-progress-report-2021

World Bank: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/energy/brief/sustainable-energy-for-all

Conclusion

Access to affordable and clean energy is essential for sustainable development and reducing poverty around the world. While progress has been made in increasing access to sustainable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, many challenges remain. Through continued investments in policies and interventions that increase access and promote sustainable energy use, we can work towards a world where all individuals have access to reliable and sustainable energy sources, and where we can achieve a sustainable and low-carbon future.

Author: Hello, my name is Hari Vandana Konda and I am an IT and cloud sustainability enthusiast with a passion for maximizing the impact of technology in our world. I am a certified professional in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Oracle. In addition, I am also a certified FinOps Practitioner which has given me a unique perspective on managing cloud costs and optimizing the overall financial health of organizations. My expertise in these cloud platforms, combined with my passion for sustainability, makes me an ideal author for discussions surrounding the intersection of technology and the environment.