MSD 019: Unit 08 - SDG7–Affordable and Clean Energy

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 UNIT 8: SDG 7 – AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

8.0 Introduction

Energy is essential for modern life — powering homes, hospitals, schools, industries, and transportation. However, access to energy remains unequal. About 675 million people still live without electricity, and nearly 2.3 billion rely on polluting fuels for cooking. Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) aims to "ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all" by 2030.

Clean, affordable energy is critical to reduce poverty, support development, and address climate change. SDG 7 promotes universal access to electricity, increased use of renewable energy, improvements in energy efficiency, and enhanced international cooperation.

8.1 Objectives

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

·         Understand the importance of affordable and clean energy for sustainable development.

·         Identify SDG 7 targets and indicators.

·         Analyze global energy access, renewable energy trends, and energy efficiency goals.

·         Explore key policy solutions and financing strategies.

·         Learn from international case studies related to SDG 7 implementation.

8.2 Significance of SDG 7 and Key Energy Issues and Impacts

Access to clean and affordable energy:

·         Reduces poverty by enabling economic development.

·         Improves health by reducing indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods.

·         Promotes education as children can study after dark with electric lights.

·         Supports gender equality, freeing women from time-consuming fuel collection.

·         Reduces carbon emissions, slowing down climate change.

Key Issues:

·         Energy poverty, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

·         High dependence on fossil fuels.

·         Uneven progress in energy access and renewable deployment.

·         Limited funding and infrastructure for clean energy in developing nations.

8.3 SDG 7: Targets, Indicators and Global Trends

SDG 7 has 5 key targets:

1.      Universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

2.      Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

3.      Improve energy efficiency (e.g., reduce energy used per unit of GDP).

4.      Enhance international cooperation to facilitate clean energy research and technology.

5.      Expand infrastructure and upgrade technology in developing countries.

8.3.1 Global Trends – Energy Access

·         Electrification has improved globally — from 83% in 2010 to ~91% in 2021.

·         However, rural areas, especially in Africa, remain underserved.

·         Access to clean cooking fuels and technologies is progressing slowly.

8.3.2 Global Trends – Renewable Energy

·         Renewables made up nearly 30% of global electricity generation in 2021.

·         Solar and wind energy capacity is growing fast, but investment gaps remain in many low-income nations.

·         Hydropower remains the largest renewable energy source globally.

8.3.3 Global Trends – Energy Intensity

·         Energy intensity (energy per unit of GDP) has improved globally by about 1.8% per year, but the rate must accelerate to meet 2030 targets.

·         Energy-efficient technologies in buildings, transport, and industries are key.

8.3.4 Global Trends – Energy Finance

·         Financing for clean energy in low-income countries is far below needed levels.

·         Developed nations pledged financial support under the Paris Agreement, but progress is slow.

·         Blended finance, private sector investment, and public subsidies are being explored.

8.4 Key Policy Solutions and the Future

8.4.1 Energy Access and Affordability

·         Mini-grids and off-grid solar solutions are being used to expand electricity in remote areas.

·         Subsidized electricity tariffs can support poor households.

·         India’s Saubhagya Scheme aimed to achieve 100% household electrification.

8.4.2 Renewable Energy

·         Policy incentives like Feed-in Tariffs, Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), and Viability Gap Funding are boosting renewable energy uptake.

·         India’s National Solar Mission targets 280 GW of solar capacity by 2030.

8.4.3 Energy Efficiency

·         Building codes, efficient appliances (like LED lights), and industrial upgrades reduce energy waste.

·         India’s Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme incentivizes industries to save energy.

·         Labeling schemes like BEE star ratings promote energy-efficient appliances.

8.4.4 Energy Finance

·         Financing must be scaled up through green bonds, carbon credits, and international climate funds.

·         Partnerships with private sector investors and multilateral institutions (e.g., World Bank, GEF) are crucial.

·         Just energy transition partnerships (JETPs) are emerging to support countries moving away from coal.

8.5 Select Case Studies

Case 1: Women Empowerment through Access to Electricity in Rural Myanmar

·         In Myanmar’s Chin State, solar mini-grids have electrified rural homes.

·         Women now run small businesses (e.g., food processing, tailoring) thanks to evening power supply.

·         Children’s education improved due to extended study hours.

·         Local ownership of the mini-grids created jobs and improved livelihoods.

Case 2: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H)

·         The country launched pilot projects on district heating and public building retrofitting.

·         Results showed 40–60% energy savings.

·         Municipalities now invest in scaling these solutions to reduce GHG emissions and costs.

Case 3: Balancing the Transmission System in Brazil

·         Brazil developed a smart transmission system to integrate solar and wind power with the national grid.

·         AI and real-time monitoring reduce blackouts and energy loss.

·         The system enabled Brazil to reduce fossil fuel dependency and expand renewable integration.

8.6 Let’s Sum Up

·         SDG 7 focuses on ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.

·         It includes targets for expanding electricity access, increasing renewables, improving efficiency, and promoting international cooperation.

·         While energy access has improved globally, financing gaps, infrastructure challenges, and regional disparities remain.

·         Policy reforms, technology, international support, and community engagement are essential to meet SDG 7 by 2030.

·         Case studies show the impact of clean energy access on empowerment, efficiency, and sustainability.

 

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