Clean Energy: Biggest Challenge in Modern times

The biggest challenge that we face today in 2020 and in the run-up to the global ‘Sustainable Developments Goals’ 2030 is to move the world towards clean energy. As the massive urbanisation across the globe is afoot, especially in developing countries, energy needs now are higher than ever. Countries like India, China and many others, have a higher need of energy for their economic progress. At the same time, the replacement of the traditional non-renewable energy with clean energy is a priority. Clean energy is and shall remain the backbone of a secure and prosperous future. In order to promote cleaner energy across the world, we need to come together as nations rather than try and fix the problem as individual countries.

Addressing the challenges
Major economies and forward-looking countries must facilitate work together to share best practices, promote ecology-friendly practices and put in place policies that would encourage a transition to global clean energy economy. The Clean Ministerial Meeting (CEM) group is a welcome step in this direction as they account for 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emission and 90 per cent of global clean energy investments. As per the release, “It is the only high-level political engagement where ministers gather to establish clean energy priorities, put forward innovative policies and adopt concrete measures to accelerate the deployment of clean solutions and where the work is carried through year-round CEM initiatives and campaigns. The CEM’s initiatives and campaigns enable low-cost, high impact technical work that amplifies each government’s clean energy deployment efforts. They seek to catalyse public and private actions towards ambitious but realistic targets.” To achieve its goals, the CEM works with partners from the private sector, international organisations and civil society to bring their respective abilities, strengths, and resources to the table.

We need to work in Unison
We are still looking for ways to produce and integrate energy that is sustainable and accessible. We need to firmly believe that we can bring about the transformative changes that will produce energy that will be safe for the future generations.
There is a need to put in place a system of clean, affordable and reliable energy systems. We must build a 21st century energy architecture. To begin with, we need to promote certain things.
I believe having energy-efficient equipment, appliances, buildings and vehicles is essential to convert our dream of a clean energy future into reality. SDGs, especially number 7, talk about access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. A report from Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) says, “Energy supply accounts for around 60 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. While some 17 per cent of energy consumption is now met with renewables, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that this needs to hit around 85 per cent by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.”
What we need is to take the challenge head-on. We can enable change by saving energy. This can be done by encouraging the use of efficient equipment and appliances; deploying efficient, smart and affordable cooling technologies; maximising the sales and usage of electric vehicles; transforming towns, cities and rural areas into sustainable and greener communities. We must encourage and support sustainable buildings. AIILSG has been doing this across India through its ECBC cells. We must, at the same time, encourage companies and organisations in using their energy wisely and curb their
carbon emissions.
What are the viable solutions?
We can completely transform how we generate energy and its daily usage. We need to identify and deploy the most impactful policies, programs and technologies for a clean energy future. The developed world, despite of the economic challenges and domestic concerns, must provide resources, technologies and support on clean energy policies, regulations and financing issues. We need to help countries adopt the best policies to accelerate investments in the clean energy sector.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the UN’s blueprint for a sustainable future for all. Their adoption puts the environmental degradation, sustainability, climate change, and water security under a global spotlight. They aim to leave no one behind and are vital to achieving CDP’s vision for a thriving economy that works for people and planet. SDG 7 urges us to “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.”

Progress on SDG 7 so far
Access to electricity in the poorest countries of the world has begun to accelerate. Energy efficiency continues to improve and renewable energy is making gains in the electricity sector. The fact still remains that, despite this progress, over 800 million people still remain without electricity. In addition, if SDG 7, 13 and related goals are to be met, much higher level of ambition is required with regard to renewable energy, including transportation and heating.
According to a report of the Secretary-General, Special edition: Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals:
The global electrification rate rose from 83 per cent in 2010 to 87 per cent in 2015, with the increase accelerating to reach 89 per cent in 2017. However, some 840 million people around the world are still without access to electricity.
The global share of the population with access to clean cooking fuels and technologies reached 61 per cent in 2017, up from 57 per cent in 2010. Despite this progress, close to 3 billion people still rely primarily on inefficient and polluting cooking systems.
The renewable energy share of total final energy consumption gradually increased from 16.6 per cent in 2010 to 17.5 per cent in 2016, though much faster change is required to meet climate goals. Even though the absolute level of renewable energy consumption has grown by more than 18 per cent since 2010, only since 2012 has the growth of renewables outpaced the growth of total energy consumption.
Global primary energy intensity (ratio of energy used per unit of GDP) improved from 5.9 in 2010 to 5.1 in 2016, a rate of improvement of 2.3 per cent, which is still short of the 2.7 per cent annual rate needed to reach target 3 of Sustainable Development Goal 7.
International financial flow to developing countries in support of clean and renewable energy reached $18.6 billion in 2016, almost doubling from $9.9 billion in 2010.
It is most important that we act fast on clean energy to save the planet. We have made progress on this front, but the target is far from achieved and we need to work faster in order to meet the challenge.