Energy is a central component of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), explicitly reflected in SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. However, the theme of energy cuts across multiple SDGs, demonstrating the interconnectivity of these global goals.
SDG 7's objective is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Energy, in its various forms, is a vital driver of economic growth and is pivotal to nearly all aspects of development. Without a steady and reliable supply of energy, societies can hardly progress. However, millions of people around the world still lack access to modern and clean energy services. The emphasis on "affordable and clean" energy within this goal shows the need to transition from traditional energy sources, often characterized by high environmental costs, to more sustainable ones like wind, solar, and hydropower.
Energy's role is also significant in achieving other SDGs. For example, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, emphasizes the need for sustainable and resilient infrastructure with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean technologies. It is almost impossible to achieve this without a sustainable energy framework. Similarly, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, calls for making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, and one of its targets (11.6) directly refers to the environmental impact of cities, for which energy is a key factor.
Furthermore, energy is a crucial player in SDG 13: Climate Action. The energy sector represents the largest single source of global greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to a sustainable energy future, therefore, is critical for tackling climate change. Efforts to reduce emissions and promote clean energy sources are crucial to mitigate climate change and its impacts.
Emma Suali, Latifah Suali, Chapter 8 - Impact assessment of global biofuel regulations and policies on biodiversity, Editor(s): Khalid Rehman Hakeem, Suhaib A. Bandh, Fayaz A. Malla, Mohammad Aneesul Mehmood, Environmental Sustainability of Biofuels, Elsevier, 2023, Pages 137-161, ISBN 9780323911597
Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, Donna Green, Chapter 2 - Extreme heat and climate change, Editor(s): Yuming Guo, Shanshan Li, Heat Exposure and Human Health in the Context of Climate Change, Elsevier, 2023, Pages 5-36, ISBN 9780128190807, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819080-7.00006-9.
Mohammadreza Daneshvar, Behnam Mohammadi-Ivatloo, Kazem Zare, Chapter 9 - A case study in the hybrid energy network with 100 percent renewable energy resources and future directions, Editor(s): Mohammadreza Daneshvar, Behnam Mohammadi-Ivatloo, Kazem Zare, Emerging Transactive Energy Technology for Future Modern Energy Networks, Academic Press, 2023, Pages 135-149, ISBN 9780323911337, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91133-7.00004-1.
