Sustainable Development Goal 7
Developing the introduction
Overall Aim of Sustainable Development Goal 7 -Affordable and Clean Energy
Lack of access to energy supplies and transformation systems is a constraint to human and economic development. The environment provides a series of renewable and non-renewable energy sources i.e. solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biofuels, natural gas, coal, petroleum, uranium.
Increased use of fossil fuels without actions to mitigate greenhouse gases will have global climate change implications. Energy efficiency and increase use of renewables contribute to climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction. Maintaining and protecting ecosystems allow using and further developing hydropower sources of electricity and bioenergy.
SDG 7 has 5 targets:
● Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
● Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
● Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
● Target 7.a: 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
● Target 7.b: 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.
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) – ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all – with its targets on universal access, energy efficiency and renewable energy, will open a new world of opportunity for billions of people. It will lay the foundation for the eradication of poverty, for climate action and for a sustainable world. Simply put, without progress on SDG 7, it will be impossible to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The environmental impacts of energy systems include local, regional and global pollution from the combustion of fuels, climate change and impacts on the integrity and stability of different ecosystems. The exact impacts depend on the type of primary energy source, the conversion technology, the size and location of the system and other factors. Energy is also a major contributor to human health problems, primarily from air pollution caused by the combustion of fuels.
Why is it important for educational community?
SDG 7 aims to promote affordable and clean energy that uses renewable energy sources. It is important for the community to educate how the use of renewable energy sources which will not pollute the environment and it is important for the future of future generations. It is also important to educate young generations how to use renewable energy sources, to educate new generations on the application of modern technologies in energy production. Smart cities will use renewable energy sources and achieve savings in financial terms, while meeting people’s needs.
SDG 7 is important for the educational community because it helps students to understand the way energy is produced and that clean energy production is closely linked to a clean environment.
Teaching SDG 7 can reflect on the role of local decision-makers and participatory governance how to achieve clean energy production, preserve the environment and gain access to energy for all members of the local community.
It can also help students plan, implement, and evaluate sustainable development projects.
Key dimensions of Sustainable Development Goal 7 -Affordable and Clean Energy
Energy lies at the heart of both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030 will open a new world of opportunities for billions of people through 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.
Renewable energy solutions are becoming cheaper, more reliable and more efficient every day. Our current reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and harmful to the planet, which is why we have to change the way we produce and consume energy. Implementing these new energy solutions as fast as possible is essential to counter climate change, one of the biggest threats to our own survival.
Despite significant progress over the past decade on improving access to electricity, increasing renewable energy use in the electricity sector and improving energy efficiency, the world is still falling short in providing affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Clean and sustainable energy should be at the heart of the COVID-19 response and of efforts to combat climate change.
The interplay between Sustainable Development Goal 7 -Affordable and Clean Energy and the acquisition of 21st century skills
Soft skills are essential for modern-day life and the workplace. Therefore, teaching 21st-century skills to students is as important as teaching content. We have to be adaptable, we have to be creative, we have to be tech-literate and we have to be problem-solvers.
We have access to information literally anytime, anywhere and we must teach students to be able to locate the problem, find the data and information, explore possible solutions, draw a conclusions.
Problem-solving is an important skill. The students must be able to apply problem-solving skills into a real life and real life problems.
Today we are talking about 4C: Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration and Communication and these four skills are essential for modern students to succeed in school and the workplace.
Teaching about the importance of clean and affordable energy through problem assignments or research projects will contribute to the development of students ‘4C skills and encourage students’ interest in the STEM.
At the same time, in the teamwork of making, students will develop emotional and social skills. If necessary, it is important to apply inclusion to students who have such needs.
We need to teach students for the future and for the jobs of the future because they are the ones who will live in that future.
