The President of the UN General Assembly called for the acknowledgement of mixed efforts to achieve the goals of the Decade of Sustainable Energy, as the UN’s first ever Sustainability Week drew to a close on Friday.
The unanimous declaration of the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All in 2012 aimed to hone on the importance of improving “access to reliable, affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound energy services and resources for sustainable development.”
Dennis Francis said there have been both achievements and shortcomings in meeting the goal throughout the decade.
He noted that developing countries experienced a 9.6 per cent annual growth in renewable energy installation and the global population with access to electricity has increased from 87 per cent to 91 per cent since 2015.
Yet, he said, “the pace of energy transformations is still much too slow – and the benefits are not shared equitably.”
‘Business as usual cannot be a credible option’
Mr. Francis said urgent action needs to be taken to address these sustainability issues, especially since more than 73 million people in least-developed countries continue to remain without electricity.
“We must truly deliver to all people, universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, while substantially increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030,” he said.
He also stressed actively trying to make renewable energy three times more widespread worldwide and doubling how much energy we save each year.
Most important, he said, is rectifying, “…the stark moral failure evident in the fact that billions still live without adequate energy, or any energy at all, while others are reportedly planning lunar vacations being offered commercially.”
Meeting the goal
Mr. Francis suggested three ways of meeting their goals – money, making use of resources, and international cooperation.
He said trillions of dollars are needed to accelerate the energy transitions and avoid the impacts of climate change. Next, he said, governments, the private sectors, civil society and more need to work together to source innovations and propel action. And finally, international cooperation “must continue to be the standard bearer for our efforts.”
Sustainability Week discussions
During the week, ministers and dignitaries spent time reflecting on the role of energy in tourism, transport and infrastructure.
As the week went by, the Assembly President called for equal access to sustainable transportation, especially in vulnerable communities; a global tourism sector with “deep local value chains that expand demand for locally made products and services,” and for “quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure,” that will make populations safer against natural hazards and sustain trade and commerce, among other things.
Decade of Sustainable Energy
Though the Decade of Sustainable Energy draws to a close this year, the Assembly President is encouraging member states, private sectors and other stakeholders to “further advance international cooperation” to recommit delivering on goals.
“If we are to accomplish our goals and targets by 2030, we must make every effort to sustain this political momentum after the Decade officially concludes,” he said.
Nora Chambers, an acclaimed journalist with a focus on global affairs and humanitarian issues, has dedicated over twenty years to reporting from conflict zones worldwide. Her work has spotlighted marginalized communities and highlighted urgent international concerns.
It’s evident that progress has been made, but the disparity in global energy access remains concerning. Urgent action is crucial to ensure equitable distribution and address the challenges faced by least-developed nations.
It’s clear that more concerted efforts are required to accelerate progress towards sustainable energy goals. The disparities in access to electricity and the slow pace of energy transformations highlight the urgent need for global cooperation and innovative solutions.
Do you think the mixed efforts in achieving the Decade of Sustainable Energy goals are due to lack of global cooperation or insufficient resources?
I believe the mixed efforts in achieving the Decade of Sustainable Energy goals stem from a combination of factors, including both insufficient resources and lack of global cooperation. While strides have been made in some areas, the overall progress is hindered by these challenges. It is crucial for countries and organizations to collaborate effectively and allocate resources efficiently to drive meaningful change in sustainable energy development.
As an advocate for sustainable energy, I believe it’s crucial to recognize both the progress made and the challenges that still lie ahead. While there have been positive strides in renewable energy adoption and increased electricity access, it’s evident that more concerted efforts are needed to ensure equitable distribution and accelerate the pace of change. Urgent action is required to provide universal access to affordable and reliable energy for all, especially for those in least-developed countries who are still without electricity.
Dennis Francis rightly points out the mixed efforts in achieving sustainable energy goals. Progress has been made, but the pace of change is concerning. Urgent action is needed to ensure equitable access to energy for all individuals, especially those in least-developed countries.
The pace of energy transformations is still much too slow – and the benefits are not shared equitably. Urgent action needs to be taken to address these sustainability issues, especially since more than 73 million people in least-developed countries continue to remain without electricity.
As a sustainability advocate, I believe that while progress has been made, we must acknowledge the gaps in achieving our energy goals. The disparity in access to electricity is concerning, and urgent action is needed to ensure equitable distribution of resources. Let’s strive for a future where sustainable energy is accessible to all, leaving no one behind.
Do you think the mixed efforts mentioned in the article are sufficient to propel the progress towards sustainable energy goals or is more radical action needed?
Considering the slow pace of energy transformations highlighted in the article, it is evident that more radical action is necessary to effectively drive progress towards sustainable energy goals. The achievements mentioned are commendable, but the pressing need for equitable and universal access to energy demands urgent and transformative initiatives.