Sustainable Energy is the Key to Sustainable Development
Energy is the key to economic development. All leading economies from Western countries like the USA in the 1980s to Eastern countries like China in the 1990s have developed economically by upgrading their energy infrastructure. Since the world is now transitioning form agrarian to industrialized economies, the next goal is sustainable energy. Thus, the mantra has now become ‘sustainable energy is the key to sustainable development.’
The seventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) was established by the United Nations in 2015; it seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The goal has five targets, which include ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services, increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, enhancing international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology and expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries.
SDG 7 is crucial for achieving other SDGs as it is a key enabler of economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability. However, there are still many people who lack access to electricity or rely on traditional biomass for cooking and heating. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) 2020 Energy Inequality Report, there are approximately 2.5 billion people without access to clean cooking facilities; a further 700 million people do not have access to electricity.
The people most affected by energy inequality are often from vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and those living in poverty. Women are disproportionately affected by inadequate sustainable energy access. They are often responsible for collecting firewood and cooking meals, which exposes them to harmful smoke and increases their risk of respiratory diseases. Children are also vulnerable as they are often exposed to indoor air pollution from cooking with traditional fuels, which can lead to respiratory infections and other health problems. The elderly are also at risk as they may be more susceptible to the health effects of indoor air pollution.
Those living in poverty are also disproportionately affected by inadequate sustainable energy access. They often lack the resources to purchase clean energy technologies or access financing for clean energy projects. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty as they are unable to improve their living conditions or generate income through sustainable livelihoods.
Community-based organizations (CBOs) can play a vital role in helping vulnerable groups gain access to modern energy services. CBOs can help raise awareness about the benefits of clean energy and promote its adoption among communities. They can also provide training on how to use clean energy technologies and help communities access financing for clean energy projects. Additionally, CBOs can help communities seek access to clean energy technologies such as solar lamps, biogas stoves, and clean cook stoves. They can also help communities access financing for clean energy projects through microfinance institutions or government programs. Further, CBOs can provide training on how to use these technologies safely and effectively, as well as raise awareness about the benefits of clean energy among communities.
SDG 7 is pivotal in ensuring the improvement of standards of living for millions of people and its accomplishment by 2030 must therefore be prioritized. Unfortunately, the IEA has projected that if current policies continue, the world will fall short of achieving SDG 7 by 2030. The IEA estimates that 620 million people will still lack access to electricity in 2030, and 2.6 billion people will still rely on traditional biomass for cooking and heating. The IEA also projects that the share of renewables in the global energy mix will only reach 21% by 2030, which is below the target of 32% set by SDG
There are reasons for optimism however, the IEA has also projected that if governments around the world take more ambitious action to promote clean energy, the world can achieve universal access to electricity by 2030. The IEA estimates that this would require an additional investment of $35 billion per year on average until 2030. The IEA also projects that the share of renewables in the global energy mix could reach 28% by 2030 if governments take more ambitious action.
Governments have traditionally been known to drag their feet in regards to policy changes. It is therefore up to CBOs like Ocean Youth Innovators and other forward thinking organizations to take up the mantle and do what they can to improve the chances of SDG7 coming to fruition by 2030.
Article written By: Oliver Kilonzo