Without urgent action, the world will fall short of its 2030 energy targets and, consequently, fail to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), says a new publication supported by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ DESA. , this set of policy briefs draws on the expertise of 50 organizations to identify priority areas where urgent action could place the world on track to achieving sustainable energy for all.
The publication, ,¡± includes 27 policy briefs by global energy authorities from the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ System, international organizations, Member States and others. It proposes a new Global Agenda for Accelerated SDG7 Action as a clear roadmap towards achieving universal energy access by 2030 and maximizing its positive impact on other SDGs.
Currently, around a billion people live without electricity. Close to three billion lack access to clean cooking solutions and are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution, which results in millions of deaths each year, mostly among women and children.
¡°Billions of people stand to benefit from the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 through technological advancements, new economic opportunities and jobs, empowered women, children and youth, better education and health, more sustainable, equitable and inclusive communities, and greater protections from, and resilience to, climate change. We must not let them down,¡± said Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Under-Secretary-General and chief of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ DESA Liu Zhenmin.
Despite the rapid expansion of renewables¡ªin 2017, the world added than coal, gas, and nuclear plants combined¡ªlittle progress has been made on integrating renewable energy into end?use applications in buildings, industry and transport. Improvements in energy efficiency and financial flows into energy are also falling short of the global targets.
The transformation of the world¡¯s energy systems is underway, accelerated by advances in technologies, rapid cost declines, shifts in policies and investments, new business models and increased cooperation. But a stronger political will and increased investment are needed to capitalize on this momentum. ?All?stakeholders must work together to scale up the deployment of renewable energy technologies, increase energy efficiency and make clean energy more affordable than ever for the benefit of all.
¡°With the right policies, regulatory frameworks, new technologies, and concerted actions, universal energy access can be accomplished,¡± said Mr. Liu. ¡°And it can be done without compromising the greenhouse gas emission reductions called for under the Paris Agreement.¡±?
About the publication
The ¡°Accelerating SDG 7 achievement policy briefs¡± were prepared by the convened by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ DESA to support the SDG 7 review process at . The Advisory Group brings together representatives from governments, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ entities, international organizations and other stakeholders. 50 organizations, including 21 from the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ system, cooperated to produce a series of 27 policy briefs. The briefs explore SDG 7 and its interlinkages with other SDGs, including advancing SDG 7 implementation, strengthening interlinkages between SDG 7 and other SDGs, regional perspectives and experiences, and building a sustainable and equitable energy future. spell
The policy briefs include a Summary for Policy Makers, which presents a Global Agenda for Accelerated SDG 7 Action. The Global Agenda is a collective response to tackling the challenges of SDG 7 and creating a foundation for concerted action by governments and all relevant stakeholders.
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