One in every seven people in the world still lack access to electricity. We are making fast progress in that area, but at what cost? The energy industry is the primary contributor to greenhouse gases, and thus, climate change. If not regulated and kept in harmony with the environment, we stand a risk of pushing our planet to its extreme.
We are already dangerously close to the global temperature rise of 1.5 degrees, the level that keeps us safe. The last decade was the hottest on record. Land and ocean temperatures are rising, polar ice is declining, and the weather is becoming more unpredictable and deadly.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (UN SDG 7) agreed upon by over 150 countries ensures access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
The following are the five targets that the UN had set to ensure access to sustainable energy. In contrast is mentioned the current state of things.
1. By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
Today, some 600 million people still do not have access to electricity in Africa. Inequality and lack of foreign investment still plague many African countries despite the abundance of natural resources in the region.
2. By 2030, substantially increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
3. By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
Improvement in the global energy intensity has been weakening each year since 2015. In 2018, primary energy intensity — an important indicator of how much energy is used by the global economy — improved by just 1.2%, the slowest rate since 2010. This marked the third year in a row that the rate has declined.
4. 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.
Between 2016 and 2019, energy investment has only grown modestly, with many countries still preferring coal-based power plants. China is one of the biggest investors in the world. Moreover, the expenditure on energy R&D has not grown even modestly, except in the United States and China.
5. By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology to supply modern and sustainable energy services to all in developing countries — in particular, least developed countries, small-island developing states, and landlocked developing countries.
Already, we are seeing major changes in many countries regarding renewable energy, like in many island communities. Change is happening, but we need to accelerate it.
About the Author: An engineering student by the day and electronic musician by the night, Vignesh is curious about everything above and below the sun.