I.

INTRODUCTION

Energy is one of the most crucial necessities that everyone in the world should have.

It enables services, infrastructures, and establishments to function smoothly, contributing to

the overall well-being of societies. Energy is a key factor in discussions of economic, social

and environmental dimensions of sustainable development (Dincer, 1999). However, there

are about 746 million people in the world who have no access to electricity. One of the main

reasons is that, even in the 21st century, electricity is still expensive. In this day and age,

clean and affordable energy is of utmost importance. Ensuring access to sustainable, reliable,

and affordable energy must be at the top priorities of every Nation-state.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to transform our world. They are a

call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people

enjoy health, justice and prosperity (WHO, 20230). Affordable and clean energy is one of the

17 Sustainable Development Goals, with an emphasis on improving energy efficiency and

guaranteeing that everyone has access to modern, reasonably priced energy services. Access

to energy is crucial for economic growth, poverty eradication, and the overall well-being of

individuals and communities. It enables better education, healthcare, and communication,

while also enabling the development of industries and job creation. By focusing on SDG 7,

we can contribute to poverty reduction, mitigate climate change, and create a sustainable

future for all. It requires everyone's participation, including the government, private sector,

communities, and individuals, to work together and implement effective energy policies and

practices.

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II. OBJECTIVES

1. Promote awareness and education on the importance of clean energy for

sustainable consumption.

2. Ensure access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.

3. Empower local communities to participate in and benefit from sustainable energy

projects.

4. Promote innovation and development in clean energy technologies to catalyze

sustainable solutions for a greener future.

5. Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

III. BODY

Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) is a global initiative that addresses the need

for "Affordable and Clean Energy." It is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals

established by the United Nations to tackle various global challenges and promote sustainable

development. It specifically focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable,

and modern energy for all. The goal recognizes the central role that energy plays in fostering

economic development, improving living standards, and supporting various sectors such as

education, healthcare, and industry. SDG 7 acknowledges the interconnected nature of energy

with other sustainable development goals and emphasizes the importance of a balanced

approach that addresses economic, social, and environmental aspects. Considering the

benefits of green energy, sustainability of green energy supply and progress is assumed to be

a key element in the interactions between nature and society (Midili et al.,2006). It plays a

crucial role in advancing a more sustainable and equitable global energy landscape.

SDG No. 7, or Sustainable Development Goal No. 7, is part of the United Nations'

2030 Agenda, which aims to promote sustainable development that benefits both people and

the planet. To achieve sustainable development, continuous flow of clean and secure energy

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is required which has lesser environmental impacts. (Sen et al., 2017). SDG 7 specifically

focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for

everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. (Smith, 2019).

So why is SDG 7 so important? Well, access to affordable and sustainable energy is

essential for achieving many of the other goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda. For example, it's

difficult to provide clean water, education, and healthcare without reliable and affordable

energy. Additionally, energy is needed to power industries, create job opportunities, and

support economic growth. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to reliable and affordable

energy. In fact, approximately 1 out of every 7 people in the world still lack access to

electricity, and many rely on unhealthy and unsustainable sources of energy like coal and

charcoal. Fossil fuels have caused some major human health and human welfare problems,

due to their extensive use in various industrial non-industrial sectors. Such problems are

detailed elsewhere (Barreto et al., 2003; Bockris, 2003; Dincer, 2000). This not only

contributes to environmental problems like air pollution and climate change, but it also

creates health hazards for people who rely on these energy sources. We have reached a level

that is not tolerable anymore. The urgent need in this regard is to develop green energy

strategies for sustainable future without any negative environmental and societal impacts

(Midili et al.,2006). To address these issues, SDG 7 aims to increase the use of renewable

energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro power while also improving the efficiency of

energy use. Clearly, energy resources such as fossil fuels are finite and thus lack the

characteristics needed for sustainability, while others such as green energy sources are

sustainable over the relatively long term (Dincer and Rosen, 2004). This will not only

improve access to clean and affordable energy, but it will also create new job opportunities

and stimulate economic growth.

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IV. CONCLUSION
The seventh Sustainable Development Goal is to ensure access to affordable, reliable,

sustainable, and modern energy for all. This goal is essential because access to energy is a

prerequisite for economic growth and social development. It is also critical for combating

climate change and reducing poverty.

To achieve this goal, policymakers and stakeholders need to ensure that the energy sector is

efficient, resilient, and able to meet the demand for energy. A diverse range of energy sources,

including renewables, must be utilized and investments in clean and efficient energy should

be increased. Policies should also be put in place to support energy efficiency and demand-

side management.

Additionally, efforts should be made towards providing electricity and clean cooking

solutions in areas that lack access to modern energy. This would require significant

investment in infrastructure, such as power grids and fuel-efficient stoves. Education on

energy conservation and efficiency should also be made accessible to households and

communities.

Furthermore, global cooperation is essential for achieving this goal. Developed

nations should support the less developed nations in their efforts to achieve sustainable

energy through technical assistance and financial support. Partnerships should be formed

between governments, civil society and the private sector to ensure that resources are used

efficiently and effectively.

In essence, SDG No. 7 is critical for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic

growth, reducing poverty and combating climate change. To achieve this goal, a diverse

range of energy sources must be utilized, and energy efficiency and demand-side

management policies should be implemented. Access to modern energy should also be

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provided to those who lack it, and global cooperation should be encouraged to ensure that

resources are used efficiently and effectively. Global partnerships are essential for sustainable

development because they bring together diverse perspectives, resources, and expertise from

multiple stakeholders (GGI 2022). Together, we can work towards a cleaner, healthier, and

more sustainable future.

V. REFERENCES

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148122013623

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/energy/

https://www.seforall.org/our-work/sustainable-development-goal-7-sdg7

https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030142150500208

https://www.who.int/europe/about-us/our-work/sustainable-development-goals#:~:text=The

%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goals%20(SDGs,enjoy%20health%2C%20justice

%20and%20prosperity.

IDincer Renewable energy and sustainable development: a crucial review. Renewable and

Sustainable Energy Reviews (2000).

Barreto et al. The hydrogen economy in the 21st century: a sustainable development scenario.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2003).

https://www.graygroupintl.com/blog/partnerships-for-thegoals#:~:text=Global

%20partnerships%20are%20essential%20for,and%20expertise%20from%20multiple

%20stakeholders.