SDG Goal 7: Affordable and sustainable energy

Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern sustainable energy for all. However, 1.6 billion people still do not have access to electricity and 2.4 billion do not have access to clean fuels for cooking and heating. This situation has a negative impact on human health, economic productivity and the environment. For this reason, Goal 7 is critical to realising many other sustainable development challenges and requires concrete action to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Access to electricity is a basic prerequisite for improving people's quality of life, but even today millions of people around the world still do not have access to electricity. According to the International Energy Agency, around 1.6 billion people in the world do not have access to electricity. Most of these people live in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia, where rural electrification is scarce or non-existent. In addition, many people who have access to electricity do so through traditional methods such as diesel generators, which are expensive and environmentally damaging. There are also barriers such as lack of infrastructure, poverty, lack of funding and political instability that prevent universal access to sustainable energy.

Access to sustainable energy is an essential prerequisite for sustainable development. Without energy, many sustainable development goals such as poverty eradication, access to clean water and sanitation, creation of economic opportunities and education are difficult to achieve. Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda focuses on universal access to affordable, reliable and modern sustainable energy for all. It also aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix and double the global rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. This goal is crucial for promoting sustainable development and limiting the environmental impact of energy. The transition to renewable energy sources and more efficient energy technologies will not only help combat climate change, but also improve people's health.

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass can help provide affordable and reliable sustainable energy. These sources are unlimited and do not emit greenhouse gases, which helps to reduce the environmental impact of energy. In addition, renewable energy can be generated locally, allowing communities to control their own energy production and reduce dependence on external energy sources. However, integrating renewable energy into energy infrastructure requires significant investment in technology and infrastructure, as well as increased international co-operation to facilitate access to clean energy technology and research. Projects such as BeEnergy by 3Bee, which aims to mitigate the impact of photovoltaic/wind power plants while protecting biodiversity, are a step towards this important goal.

There are countries that have achieved remarkable success in access to sustainable energy, especially those that have invested more in clean technologies and sustainable infrastructure. Morocco, for example, launched its solar energy programme in 2009 and achieved its target of generating 52% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 in 2020. India launched an ambitious solar energy campaign with the aim of generating 100 GW of solar power by 2022. Brazil has made great progress in the production of biofuels thanks to the strong demand for ethanol from sugar cane. These examples show how an energy policy focussed on sustainability can lead to concrete results in terms of universal and sustainable access to energy.

Policy action to promote access to sustainable energy is underway at a global level and requires a shared commitment. International co-operation is crucial to ensure that less developed countries can access advanced technologies and make investments in energy infrastructure. In this context, Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda aims to enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced technologies that are cleaner than fossil fuels, and to promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technologies. The importance of sustainable energy for sustainable development is recognised globally, and initiatives to promote universal access are of significant importance.

Companies play a key role in promoting access to sustainable energy worldwide and contribute to the development of innovative solutions and the spread of sustainable practices. Through their ability to invest in research and development, produce sustainably and collaborate with other organisations, companies can make a significant contribution to achieving Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda. At 3Bee, we support companies in realising SDG 7 with the BeEnergy project, which aims to create a symbiosis between clean energy and biodiversity to create "shared value" for the applicant, the local community and the environment. In this project, we use our own technologies and expertise that we have built up in constant collaboration with universities and research centres. Contact us to find out more!