GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Economy: Energy/ SDGs
Source: DTE
Context: The world is facing challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) by 2030. (As per the Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2023 report)
The report has been released by a collaborative effort of the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency, United Nations Statistics Division, World Bank and the WHO
What is SDG 7?
SDG 7 refers to Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims at reaching universal access to electricity and clean cooking, doubling historic levels of efficiency improvements, and substantially increasing the share of renewables in the global energy mix.
Factors limiting the world in achieving SDG 7 are:
| Factors | Examples |
| High inflation | Rapidly increasing energy costs affecting affordability |
| Uncertain macroeconomic outlook | Fluctuating economic conditions impacting energy investments |
| Debt distress | Countries struggling with unsustainable debt burdens |
| Lack of financing | Insufficient funds for energy projects and infrastructure |
| Supply chain bottlenecks | Delays in procuring and delivering energy equipment and materials |
| Tighter fiscal circumstances | Government budget constraints limiting energy-related initiatives |
| Soaring prices for materials | Increased costs of solar panels, batteries, and other components |
| Currency fluctuations | Exchange rate instability impacting energy investments |
| The concentration of financial flows | Limited distribution of international public financial resources |
| The decreasing trend in international public financial flows | Reduction in funds supporting clean energy in developing countries |
The report provides the following recommendations:
- Scale up efforts to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency to meet the targets of SDG 7.
- Enhance financial flows and investment in clean energy technologies, especially in developing countries (to the tune of USD 1.4-1.7 trillion through 2030).
- Address the challenges of high inflation, uncertain macroeconomic outlook, and debt distress
- Accelerate progress in energy intensity improvement to exceed the targeted rate and ensure sustainable energy consumption patterns.
- Strengthen international cooperation and support for countries facing energy challenges, especially the least-developed countries and small island developing states.
- Monitor and track progress regularly to identify gaps and take necessary corrective measures.
India’s status:
- India is ‘On-Target’ to meeting universal access to electricity
- In April 2018 India achieved its goal, ahead of schedule, of providing electricity to every village in India
- Despite a national policy push for clean fuel for cooking, more than two-thirds (479) of districts remain ‘Off-Target’.
India’s initiatives for SDG7:
- Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (also known as Saubhagya)
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) (separation of agricultural and non-agricultural feeders to improve supply)
- Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) (for financial restructuring and turnaround plan for state DISCOMs)
- Atal Distribution System Improvement Yojana (ADITYA)
- PM-KUSUM
About the 2030 SDG Agenda:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, also called the 2030 Agenda, was launched by a UN Summit in 2015 and is aimed at ending poverty in all its forms. There are 17 SDGs, which are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership. 2023 marks the halfway point for achieving SDGs by 2030.
Insta Links
India, its SDG pledge goal, and the strategy to apply
Prelims Links
Consider the following statements: (USPC 2016)
- The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
- The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: B
