Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) aims to: “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy” for all by 2030. There are many sectors that depend on constant energy supply: education, agriculture, health care, essentially all business and industries, so it is evident the necessity to transit toward a society where energy has zero impact on the environment.
The demand for energy increases in parallel as the population grows, however fossil resources are limited, unsustainable and harmful to the environment, thus it is necessary to recur to renewable alternatives paying particular attention to greener solutions. Renewable energy solutions are becoming cheaper, more reliable and more efficient every day.
Access to energy is a very important pillar for the wellbeing of the people as well as economic development and poverty alleviation. Not only it is necessary to ensure access to energy but also to increase energy efficiency (SDG, Target 7.3) and reduce global CO2 emissions, thus the transition to renewable energy results inevitable and indisputable.
- Almost 13% of the global population still lacks access to modern electricity.
- Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for around 60 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions.
- In 2016 the share of renewable energy increased at the fastest rate since 2012, up 0.24 percentage points, and reached almost 17.5% thanks to the rapid growth in solar, wind and hydropower.
- For heating and cooking almost 3 billion people still rely on coal, wood, charcoal or animal waste.
- Indoor air pollution from using combustible fuels for household energy caused 4.3 million deaths in 2012, with women and girls accounting for 6 out of every 10 of these.
Target 7.1 Universal access to modern energy
By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
Target 7.2 Increase global percentage of renewable energy
By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
Target 7.3 Double the improvement in energy efficiency
By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
Target 7.A Promote access to research, technology and investments in clean energy
By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
Target 7.B Expand and upgrade energy services for developing countries
By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and land-locked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support.
Challenge: one in five people still lack access to modern electricity and three billion people rely on wood, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and eating;
Solution: ensure everyone has access to clean, affordable, reliable and modern energy.
Challenge: every year indoor air pollution kills 4.3 million people – most of them women and children;
Solution: invest in renewable energy and disseminate its use.
Challenge: energy provided by fossil fuels is the main contributor of climate change representing 60% of all greenhouse gases;
Solution: put in place energy saving policies and transit toward greener sustainable solutions.
What can we do to help achieving SDG 7? As a matter of fact the use of fossil resources contribute to the greenhouse gases that are the main cause of the negative effects on global climate change. We should increase the use of renewable alternative sources. The progress towards clean energy solutions is there, but unfortunately it is still too slow; that is why we must all work together and strive to accelerate this progress. Everyone’s small daily gestures can make a huge difference: saving electricity by plugging our appliances into a single common plug and turning them off completely when not in use (like our computer) are very useful actions. Even using public transport or the bicycle instead of the car, these are actions to be adopted more frequently, in fact we all can contribute in reducing carbon emissions and taking care of our Mother Earth with simple actions.
What can I do?
- …change my habits and save Energy switching off lights and my computer for example.
- …receive and use green Energy from renewable sources.
- …try to use electronic devices as little as possible.
- …use the energy of solar panels installing them on my roof’s house.
- …heat home and my office spaces sparingly.
- …use bike more than car or motorcycle.
