With encouraging signs that energy is becoming more sustainable and widely available, the world is making progress towards Goal 7. Access to electricity has begun to accelerate in poorer countries, energy efficiency is improving, and renewable energy is making impressive gains in the electricity sector. Human and economic development is hampered by a lack of access to energy supplies and transformation systems. Solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biofuels, natural gas, coal, petroleum, and uranium are some of the renewable and non-renewable energy sources available in the environment. Increased use of fossil fuels in the absence of actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will have global climate change implications. Energy efficiency and increased use of renewables help to mitigate climate change and disaster risk. Maintaining and protecting ecosystems allows for the use and expansion of hydropower and bioenergy sources.

Facts:

• 3 billion people rely on wood, coal, charcoal, or animal waste for cooking and heating.

• Energy is the leading cause of climate change, accounting for roughly 60% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

• Global CO2 emissions have increased by more than 46% since 1990.

• Today, hydropower is the most important single renewable energy source, supplying 16% of global electricity at competitive prices. It dominates the electricity mix in several developed, emerging, and developing countries.

• Bioenergy is the single largest renewable energy source today, accounting for 10% of the total global primary energy supply.

Environmental Targets:

• Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.

• Target 7.2: By 2030, significantly increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

• Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030.

• Target 7.4a: Increase international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, by 2030, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.

• Target 7.4b: By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology to provide modern and sustainable energy services to all developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, small island developing states, and landlocked developing countries, under their respective support programs.

People are empowered by energy, but where we get it matters. We need the power to achieve all of our Global Goals. Women and girls spend hours collecting water without it, hospitals cannot store vaccines, children cannot do homework at night, and the list goes on. However, we must clean up our act. More than anything else, the energy we use today contributes to climate change. Goal 7 examines alternative methods of obtaining affordable and clean energy. We can create a more sustainable plan for everyone, from energy-efficient light bulbs to renewable energy sources.

The United Nations' Goals for Affordable and Clean Energy

·         Ensure that everyone has access to modern energy.

·         Increase the global share of renewable energy.

·         Increase energy efficiency by twice as much.

·         Increase access to clean energy research, technology, and investment.

·         Energy services for developing countries should be expanded and improved.

About the Author: Lubaina Nadeem is an undergraduate student of environmental science at GC Women University Sialkot. She is passionate to write for the environment.

Editor Name: Amina Shahzadi