ENVIRONMENT: ENERGY
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By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services (7.1)
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By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (7.2)
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By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency (7.3)
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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, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology (7.a)
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By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and land-locked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support (7.b)
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Energy is an essential factor for sustainable development and poverty eradication. Nevertheless, it is estimated that in 2015 still about 2.8 billion people have no access to modern energy services and over 1.1 billion do not have electricity. Furthermore, around 4.3 million people are dying prematurely every year due to indoor pollution resulting from cooking and heating with unsustainable fuels. The challenge lies in finding ways to reconcile the necessity and demand for modern and sustainable energy services with its impact on the environment and the global natural resource base in order to ensure that sustainable development goals are realized. (UN, 2015)​
Electricity enables children to study after dark. It enables water to be pumped for crops, and foods and medicines to be refrigerated. Modern fuels for cooking and heating relieve women from the time-consuming drudgery and danger of traveling long distances to gather wood.
Energy from renewable resources—wind, water, the sun, biomass and geothermal energy—is inexhaustible and clean. Renewable energy currently constitutes 15% of the global energy mix.
The costs of technologies to capture that energy are rapidly falling and becoming economically competitive with fossil fuels, while reducing the risk of climate change.
Energy efficiency—getting more from our existing resources— increases global resource productivity, supports economic growth, and reduces costs for all citizens.
Resources
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3 billion people (40%) rely on: wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating
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1/5 people still lacks access to modern electricity
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Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for around 60 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions
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Reducing the carbon intensity of energy is a key objective in long-term climate goals