Sustainable Development Goal 7

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Sustainable Development Goal 7
Sustainable Development Goal 07CleanEnergy.svg
Mission statement "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all"
Commercial?No
Type of project Non-Profit
LocationGlobal
Founder United Nations
Established2015
Website sdgs.un.org

Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7 or Global Goal 7) is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. It aims to "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." [1] Access to energy is an important pillar for the wellbeing of the people as well as for economic development and poverty alleviation. [2]

Contents

The goal has five targets to be achieved by 2030. [2] Progress towards the targets is measured by six indicators. [2] Three out of the five targets are outcome targets: Universal access to modern energy; increase global percentage of renewable energy; double the improvement in energy efficiency. The remaining two targets are means of implementation targets [3] : to promote access to research, technology and investments in clean energy; and expand and upgrade energy services for developing countries. In other words, these targets include access to affordable and reliable energy while increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. They also focus on improving energy efficiency, international cooperation and investment in clean energy infrastructure，and equal rights to energy distribution.

According to a review report in 2019, some progress towards achieving SDG 7 is being made, but many of the targets of SDG 7 will not be met. [4] : 1  SDG 7 and SDG 13 (climate action) are closely related. [4] : 101 

Problem description

Number of people in the world with and without access to electricity Number of people with and without electricity access, OWID.svg
Number of people in the world with and without access to electricity

SDG 7 is tackling the problem of the high number of people globally who live without access to electricity or clean cooking solutions (0.8 billion [5] and 2.4 billion [6] people, respectively, in 2020). Energy is needed for many activities, for example jobs and transport, food security, health and education. [7]

People that are hard to reach with electricity and clean cooking solutions include those who live in remote areas or are internally displaced people, or those who live in urban slums or marginalized communities. [4] : 32  As well as addressing a range of inequalities in the distribution of resources.

Targets, indicators and progress

SDG 7 has five targets, measured with five indicators, which are to be achieved by 2030. Three out of the five targets are "outcome targets", and two are "means of achieving targets".

Target 7.1: Universal access to modern energy

The first target of SDG 7 is Target 7.1: "By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services". [8]

This target has two indicators: [2]

World map for Indicator 7.1.2 in 2016 - Share of the population with access to clean fuels for cooking Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking, OWID.svg
World map for Indicator 7.1.2 in 2016 - Share of the population with access to clean fuels for cooking
Indoor woodfire stove in Nigeria, causing indoor air pollution Indoor Woodfire Stove.jpg
Indoor woodfire stove in Nigeria, causing indoor air pollution

A report from 2019 found that India, Bangladesh, and Kenya had made good progress with supplying more of their people with electricity. [4] : I  Globally, there are now (2020) 800 million people still without electricity, [5] compared with 1.2 billion people in 2010. [4] : I 

There are several options to tackle this problem, for example private sector financing and ensuring that rural areas get access to electricity. This may involve decentralized renewable energy. [4] : 4 

Women are disproportionately affected by indoor air pollution caused by the use of fuels such as coal and wood indoors. [4] : 55  Reasons for not changing over to clean cooking solutions can include higher fuel costs and the need to change cooking processes.

Target 7.2: Increase global percentage of renewable energy

Solar panels in Reunion Mafate Marla solar panel dsc00633.jpg
Solar panels in Réunion
Chief Joseph Dam for hydropower, Washington, USA Chief Joseph Dam, Washington.jpg
Chief Joseph Dam for hydropower, Washington, USA

The second target of SDG 7 is Target 7.2: "By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix." [8]

It has only one indicator: Indicator 7.2.1 is the "Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption".    

Data from 2016 showed that the share of renewable energy compared to total energy consumption was 17.5%. [4] : 1 

Energy intensity of economies Energy intensity of economies, OWID.svg
Energy intensity of economies

Target 7.3: Double the improvement in energy efficiency

The third target of SDG 7 is Target 7.3: "By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency". [8]

It has one indicator: Indicator 7.3.1 is the "Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP".  

In general, energy efficiency has been going up in recent years, in particular in China. [4] : 1  Governments can help with this process for example by providing suitable financial incentives and by helping people access information about energy efficiency. [4] : 10 

Target 7.a: Promote access to research, technology and investments in clean energy

Wind turbines in Austria - one of the sources of clean renewable energy Amundsenhohe and Pretul from SW.jpg
Wind turbines in Austria - one of the sources of clean renewable energy
International finance received for clean energy, 2016 International finance received for clean energy, OWID.svg
International finance received for clean energy, 2016

The fourth target of SDG 7 is Target 7.a: "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". [8]

It has one indicator: Indicator 7.4.1 is the "International financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy research and development and renewable energy production, including in hybrid systems".  

There is twice the amount of international financing for renewable energy going to developing countries in 2017 compared to 2010. [9] In 2017 most of this financing (nearly half) went to hydropower and nearly 20% to solar power projects. [9] : 10 

More investments are needed for global energy access, namely for electrification and clean cooking: A report in 2021 state that "the financing community is failing to deliver on SDG7". [10] : 9 

Target 7.b: Expand and upgrade energy services for developing countries

The fifth target of SDG 7 is formulated as: "Target 7.b: 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 programs of support." [8]

It has one indicator, which used to measure "Investments in energy efficiency as a proportion of GDP and the amount of foreign direct investment in financial transfer for infrastructure and technology to sustainable development services," but this has since been changed. The current indicator is 7.b.1: "Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing and developed countries (in watts per capita)."

As of August 2020, there is no data available for this indicator. [2]

It was reported in 2020 that Indicator 7.b.1 might be removed as it is identical with indicator 12.1.1 of SDG 12. [11]

Custodian agencies

Custodian agencies are in charge of reporting on the following indicators: [12] [13]

Overall progress and monitoring

The UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) meets every year for global monitoring of the SDGs, under the auspices of the United Nations economic and Social Council. High-level progress reports for all the SDGs are published by the United Nations Secretary General. [9] [14] [15]

In 2022, the renewable energy- generating capacity in developing countries has increased by 58% in renewable capacity per capita. However, the international financial flows to developing countries to support renewable energy was 24% lower than in 2018. [16] Despite having progress in 2019 to 2020, there has been recent global events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine has impacted global progress in renewable energy and decarbonization transition by having it at a halt or decreasing rather than increasing.

Despite progress, the world is in 2022 not on track to achieve SDG 7. The progress towards SDG 7 has not been faster due to the world entering its third year of COVID-19 along with the highest number of violent conflicts and with the Russian invasion of Ukraine creating one of the largest refugee crises to happen. [15] There are still over 700 million people without access to electricity and about 2.4 billion cooking with harmful fuels that also are polluting the environment. [16] More efforts need to be exerted to improved use of renewable energy and energy efficiency faster. These events has had catastrophic effect the livelihoods of many people and though in 2021, as the global economy started to rebound, these chain of events and negative effects as caused the global economy and progress to SDG 7 and other SDGs to slow down. [17]

According to the 2020 SDG report, affordable and reliable energy is now needed more than ever, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, to supply hospitals and health facilities as well as access to energy for students learning remotely. [18] Access to electricity has improved strongly in Asia and Latin America, so that an increasing share of people without access live in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that around 620 million people would still lack access to electricity if the world continues to move at the current pace by 2030. [18] : 38 

Challenges

In 2020, it was reported that many health facilities in developing countries (about 25%) still have no electricity at all or have frequent outages. This was particularly problematic during the COVID-19 pandemic. [9] : 10  During the crisis progress has been seen in some aspect of SDG7 such as improvement in energy efficiency, use of renewable energy and increased access to electricity to people. [19] Even in developed countries, there are still energy-poor groups. For example, the Aboriginal people living in remote areas of Canada, the Inuit, etc., most of them still use expensive and inconveniently supplied diesel engines.

The SDGs are all interlinked. Energy (or SDG 7) is key to most global issues: this includes poverty eradication (SDG 1), gender equality (SDG 5), climate action (SDG 13), food security (SDG 2), health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), sustainable cities (SDG 11), jobs (SDG 8) and transport (SDG 9). [7]

SDG 7 and SDG 13 (climate action) are closely related. [4] : 1 

Access to energy is directly related to human development. This is particularly true for women, who spend more of their time collecting fuel and water, and preparing meals. Access to energy would allow them to spend more time on education and work. [20] Women need to be given equal pay, equal treatment and equal status.

According to UN Women, energy interventions that take into perspective women's needs have a significant impact on addressing gender equality and community energy poverty while also ensuring the equal participation of women in energy intervention that in turn benefits the society at large. [21]

Organizations

There are five custodian agencies for SDG 7 which together published the 2020 Energy Progress Report: [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable energy</span> Energy that responsibly meets social, economic, and environmental needs

Energy is sustainable if it "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Definitions of sustainable energy usually look at its effects on the environment, the economy, and society. These impacts range from greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution to energy poverty and toxic waste. Renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, solar, and geothermal energy can cause environmental damage but are generally far more sustainable than fossil fuel sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clean technology</span> Any process, product, or service that reduces negative environmental impacts

Clean technology, also called cleantech or climatetech, is any process, product, or service that reduces negative environmental impacts through significant energy efficiency improvements, the sustainable use of resources, or environmental protection activities. Clean technology includes a broad range of technology related to recycling, renewable energy, information technology, green transportation, electric motors, green chemistry, lighting, grey water, and more. Environmental finance is a method by which new clean technology projects can obtain financing through the generation of carbon credits. A project that is developed with concern for climate change mitigation is also known as a carbon project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clean fuel</span> Fuel which burns with lower emissions

Clean fuel may refer to type of fuel used for transport or a type of fuel used for cooking and lighting. With regards to cooking, the Sustainable Development Goal 7 aims to "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." Clean fuel there is defined by the emission rate targets and specific fuel recommendations included in the normative guidance WHO guidelines for indoor air quality. Clean fuel is one component of sustainable energy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renewable energy in developing countries</span> Overview of the use of renewable energy in several developing countries

Renewable energy in developing countries is an increasingly used alternative to fossil fuel energy, as these countries scale up their energy supplies and address energy poverty. Renewable energy technology was once seen as unaffordable for developing countries. However, since 2015, investment in non-hydro renewable energy has been higher in developing countries than in developed countries, and comprised 54% of global renewable energy investment in 2019. The International Energy Agency forecasts that renewable energy will provide the majority of energy supply growth through 2030 in Africa and Central and South America, and 42% of supply growth in China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goals</span> United Nations goals for people for 2030

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations members in 2015, created 17 world Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of these global goals is "peace and prosperity for people and the planet" – while tackling climate change and working to preserve oceans and forests. The SDGs highlight the connections between the environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable development. Sustainability is at the center of the SDGs, as the term sustainable development implies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 6</span> Global goal to achieve clean water and sanitation for all people by 2030

Sustainable Development Goal 6 declares the importance of achieving "clean water and sanitation for all". It is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly to succeed the former Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). According to the United Nations, the overall goal is to: "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all." The goal has eight targets to be achieved by 2030 covering the main areas of water supply and sanitation and sustainable water resource management. Progress toward the targets will be measured by using eleven indicators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 16</span> United Nations sustainable development goal

Sustainable Development Goal 16 is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015, the official wording is: "Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels". The Goal has 12 targets and 23 indicators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 17</span> Sustainable Development Goal by the UN

Sustainable Development Goal 17 is about "partnerships for the goals." One of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015, the official wording is: "Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development". SDG 17 refers to the need for the nonhegemonic and fair cross sector and cross country collaborations in pursuit of all the goals by the year 2030. It is a call for countries to align policies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 13</span> UN goal to combat climate change

Sustainable Development Goal 13 is to limit and adapt to climate change. It is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The official mission statement of this goal is to "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts". SDG 13 and SDG 7 on clean energy are closely related and complementary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 12</span> 12th of 17 Sustainable Development Goals to ensure responsible consumption and production

Sustainable Development Goal 12, titled "responsible consumption and production", is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. The official wording of SDG 12 is "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns". SDG 12 is meant to ensure good use of resources, improve energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure, provide access to basic services, create green and decent jobs, and ensure a better quality of life for all. SDG 12 has 11 targets to be achieved by at least 2030, and progress towards the targets is measured using 13 indicators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 11</span> 11th of 17 Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable cities

Sustainable Development Goal 11, titled "sustainable cities and communities", is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The official mission of SDG 11 is to "Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable". The 17 SDGs take into account that action in one area will affect outcomes in other areas as well, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 10</span> UN Sustainable Development Goal

Sustainable Development Goal 10 is about reduced inequality and is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. The full title is: "Reduce inequality within and among countries".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 9</span> Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Sustainable Development Goal 9 is about "industry, innovation and infrastructure" and is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. SDG 9 aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 8</span> Global goal to promote decent work and economic growth by 2030

Sustainable Development Goal 8 is about "decent work and economic growth" and is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which were established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The full title is to "Foster sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all." Progress towards targets will be measured, monitored and evaluated by 17 indicators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 5</span> Global goal to achieve gender equality by 2030

Sustainable Development Goal 5 concerns gender equality and is fifth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by United Nations in 2015. Through the pledge to "Leave No One Behind", countries have committed to fast-track progress for those furthest behind first. SDG 5 aims to grant women and girls equal rights and opportunities to live free of violence and discrimination, including in the workplace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 4</span> 4th of 17 Sustainable Development Goals to achieve quality education for all

Sustainable Development Goal 4 is about quality education and is among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in September 2015. The full title of SDG 4 is "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 3</span> Good Health and Well-Being

Sustainable Development Goal 3, regarding "Good Health and Well-being", is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. The official wording is: "To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages." The targets of SDG 3 focus on various aspects of healthy life and healthy lifestyle. Progress towards the targets is measured using twenty-one indicators. SDG 3 aims to achieve universal health coverage and equitable access of healthcare services to all men and women. It proposes to end the preventable death of newborns, infants and children under five and end epidemics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 1</span> First of 17 Sustainable Development Goals to end global poverty

Sustainable Development Goal 1, one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015, calls for the end of poverty in all forms. The official wording is: "No Poverty". Member countries have pledged to "Leave No One Behind": underlying the goal is a "powerful commitment to leave no one behind and to reach those farthest behind first".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goals and Nigeria</span> Set of 17 global development goals defined by the United Nations for the year 2030

Sustainable Development Goals and Nigeria is about how Nigeria is implementing the Sustainable Development Goals within the thirty-six states and its Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of seventeen global goals designed as a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all". Each of the 17 goals is expected to be achieved by 2030 in every country around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy poverty and cooking</span> Issues involving access to clean, modern fuels and technologies for cooking

One aspect of energy poverty is lack of access to clean, modern fuels and technologies for cooking. As of 2020, more than 2.6 billion people in developing countries routinely cook with fuels such as wood, animal dung, coal, or kerosene. Burning these types of fuels in open fires or traditional stoves causes harmful household air pollution, resulting in an estimated 3.8 million deaths annually according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and contributes to various health, socio-economic, and environmental problems.

References

  1. ↑ United Nations (2015) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015, Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (A/RES/70/1)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ritchie, Roser, Mispy, Ortiz-Ospina (2018) "Measuring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals." (SDG 7) SDG-Tracker.org, website CC-BY icon.svg Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
  3. ↑ Bartram, Jamie; Brocklehurst, Clarissa; Bradley, David; Muller, Mike; Evans, Barbara (December 2018). "Policy review of the means of implementation targets and indicators for the sustainable development goal for water and sanitation". npj Clean Water. 1 (1): 3. doi: 10.1038/s41545-018-0003-0 . S2CID   169226066. CC-BY icon.svg Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 IEA, IRENA, UNSD, WB, WHO (2019), Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2019 Archived 30 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine , Washington DC (on Tracking SDG 7 website Archived 30 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine )
  5. 1 2 "For the first time in decades, the number of people without access to electricity is set to increase in 2022 – Analysis". IEA. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  6. ↑ "Moving the Needle on Clean Cooking for All". World Bank. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  7. 1 2 United Nations (11 July 2018). "Achieving targets on energy helps meet other Global Goals, UN forum told". United Nations Sustainable Development. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 United Nations (2017) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 6 July 2017, Work of the Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (A/RES/71/313)
  9. 1 2 3 4 United Nations Economic and Social Council (2020) Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals Report of the Secretary-General, High-level political forum on sustainable development, convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (E/2020/57), 28 April 2020
  10. ↑ "Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape 2020". Sustainable Energy for All | SEforALL. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  11. ↑ "IAEG-SDGs 2020 Comprehensive Review Proposals Submitted to the 51st session of the United Nations Statistical Commission for its consideration". United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Statistics Division. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  12. ↑ "SDG Indicators — SDG Indicators". unstats.un.org. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
  13. ↑ "United Nations (2018) Economic and Social Council, Conference of European Statisticians, Geneva," (PDF). United Nations (SDG 16) Custodian Agencies" (PDF). UNECE. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  14. ↑ United Nations Economic and Social Council (2019) Special edition: progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, Report of the Secretary-General (E/2019/68), High-level political forum on sustainable development, convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (8 May 2019)
  15. 1 2 United Nations: Economic and Social Council (2022). "Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals" (PDF). High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: 29.
  16. 1 2 "Goal 7 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs". sdgs.un.org. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
  17. ↑ Tucho, Gudina Terefe; Kumsa, Diribe Makonene (2020). "Challenges of Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 From the Perspectives of Access to Modern Cooking Energy in Developing Countries". Frontiers in Energy Research. 8. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2020.564104 . ISSN   2296-598X.
  18. 1 2 "The Sustainable Development Goals Report" (PDF). The United Nations Statistics Division. 2020.
  19. ↑ "COVID-19 Intensifies the Urgency to Expand Sustainable Energy Solutions Worldwide".
  20. ↑ "Policy Brief in support of the first SDG 7 review at the UN High-Level Political Forum 2018" (PDF). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 2018.
  21. ↑ "Leveraging co-benefits between gender equality and climate action for sustainable development" (PDF). Report. 2016.
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