The Thematic Discussion rooms are now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated in our consultation, we will be sharing the summaries and the key results shortly. The Networking Lounge and News Room will remain open, please check back for more updates.
You are now in the Discussion Room for Enabling SDGs through inclusive, just energy transitions
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The context
SDG 7 is often referred to as a “golden thread” that weaves together economic development, the wellbeing of the planet and the people in it. Amidst the multiple crises that the world is facing, there is an urgent need for innovative and inclusive solutions to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As central to the success of the rest of the UN Agenda 2030, SDG7 needs to be considered in its broader context, linking with all the other SDGs.
Energy transitions are about people. To ensure that costs and benefits are fairly distributed, the global energy transformation has to be accompanied by policies enabling an inclusive, just transition. A just transition must generate opportunities to people, communities and countries through new economic initiatives, education and skills trainings and adequate social safety systems, to ensure that no one is left behind.
Commitments from stakeholders in energy and other sectors need to be backed up with strategic planning, capacity building and clear policies, as well as capable, accountable and dedicated institutions. Only then will we be able to leverage on the pivotal role sustainable energy plays in building resilient, global economies, helping people mitigate and adapt to the challenges that lie yet ahead of all of us in dealing with an ever more populous, warming planet.
What is the overall goal of this consultation?
We want to hear from you on what the priorities for integrating SDG7 with the other SDGs should be, and how to measure these linkages. With a focus on cross-cutting issues, we want to know what young people think is holding us back from achieving SDG7.
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The questions 1. Opportunities & Focusing our attention:
2. Measuring our impact:
3.Your experiences:
4. Challenges:
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For background information, please read the official materials uploaded by the HLDE Secretariat:
- Concept Note
- Secretariat Summary of the First Meeting
- Annotated Outline of Thematic Report
- IISD: First Meeting Summary
Our youth moderators and official HLDE representatives are Ms. Asma Rouabhia, Sustainability Young Arab Leader for UNESCO and Ms. Cherop Soy, Thematic Focal Point, UNMGCY SDG7 YouthConstituency
Rules of Engagement:
- This discussion is open to any young person between 16-30 years
- Please be respectful of each other and the moderators
- Please respond to the questions posted by the moderators
- Let us know which question you are answering in your comments
- You may post anonymously
- You may post in any language, SparkBlue has a live translation feature
- Click follow at the top of the page to receive notifications.
Comments (50)
As our discussion comes to a close, I would like to thank everyone for their written inputs and the fruitful discussion in this room.
All your input will be essential to the High-Level Dialogue on Energy. Bringing in the young voices to the conversation on Energy Access as an avenue to propel the achievement of the other SDGs. It is something that we have to continually speak up in avenues such as these to relay our thoughts, ideas, and expertise.
With that being said, thank you again and it has been an absolute pleasure moderating this room together with the amazing co-moderators.
Goodbye for now.
Discussion Room 3 on Enabling SDGs through inclusive, just energy transitions is now OPEN!
2.Measuring the impact is a bit hard because countries can use different solutions to report better results than they actually are. For example, in Croatia, we passed a law saying that burning wood, trash and non-recyclable items is renewable, and our share of renewable energy jumped from 19% to 27% overnight. And we didn't make any real changes in reality.
4. Regarding the challenges, I feel like every group here has the same questions on challenges and barriers that prevent us from achieving SDG7, so checking other groups on that issue might be helpful.
2.every government has capacity to measure impact because it can predict using for example charcoal in replacement of renewableenergy as they did here in Rwanda.Many people in city using renewable energy in order to fight for climate change.
4.If we try to analyse all of us we have same challenge burry us to achieve common sustainable goals.
Thanks, Claude for your comment. I am particularly interested to hear more about the Rwandan government shift from charcoal to renewable energy, how did it manage to do that? Was there a change in policies i.e ban on charcoal use within the city or an incentive to encourage the adoption of renewable energy?
Also, concerning question 4, the challenges are indeed similar. Would you like to share what challenges Rwanda regarding SDG7?
I believe a combination of technological advancement and incentives could play a role in accelerating the process of achieving SDG 7. Incentives could be in form of monetary or non monetary and it could provided to various government for effective implementation of steps required to achieve SDG 7 in their respective countries.
Thank you, Pratham for those remarks. I believe this is in response to question 3 but it also touches on question 1 (Please do correct me if I am wrong)
Your comment has given suggestions for how SDG7 can be achieved more effectively, I am keen to probe further and hear your thoughts on how this achievement of Energy can be just and inclusive
Thank you so much. I believe for inclusivity, our main aim should be with partnering as many international Youth organisations which are working with grassroot level organisations. Hence, we shall have an equitable and larger outreach with the help of grassroot level organisations and required resources from various International organisations.
Great views Pratham! You do bring an important angle of the bottom-up approach to the conversation with sort of the web of the grassroots organisations especially those that are youth-led.
And finally, I cannot leave this chat today without asking: What are some of the SDGs that you feel should be are directly linking to the acceleration of the just and inclusive transition?
To be honest, I feel that the SDGs are asserted in such a manner that whenever the question of acceleration or implementation arises, scope always lies in the nature of implementation techniques. SDGs always carry the potential of being inclusive to everyone. It is just that the ones who are concerned and working towards achieving these goals currently, need to increase their outreach at individual level. The more we would be able to include people at individual levels, the more people could be included which applies to any SDG. That is perhaps the mightiest advantage of SDGs that each adn everyone has something to contribute in the journey of achieving SDGs
Hello everybody! I am extremely thrilled to start off this discussion. Asma and I will be the lead moderators with Tuan as the co-moderator for the course of this moderation.
There is a list of resources that Caroline has included at the top of this page which will give you a background of our discussion on "Enabling SDGs through inclusive, just transitions."
Please let's kick this off by letting us know your thoughts on the following; opportunities & areas we need to focus our attention to, suggestions or best/already existing practices on measuring our impact, your experience on how to ensure a just transition, and finally the challenges that slow the achievement of SDG7.
Additionally, please remember to indicate which questions you are answering.
I look forward to a fruitful discussion from all of you.
Thank you all very much for your comments today. We have scratched the surface on the following:
As we progress further into our discussion, I would like us to dive deeper into our questions above by Caroline)with a keen focus on linkages between SDG7 and the other SDGs.
Looking forward to hearing more from you all.
Assalamualaikum. Peace upon you. I am tariq, an Architect & university lecturer from peshawar, pakistan. I am the founder of EcoKoor which promotes eco-friendly homes and products in Pakistani communities.buildings are responsible for 40 percent of the energy consumption globally. So we need clear attention on that & connecting sdg7 with sdg11 will solve the problem. The built Environment is mojor source of energy consumption & energy producer as well. I am living in peshawar & people here dont care about energy because they believe that they can afford a large AC however it is not a solution. As an Architect i would suggest to conserve energy & let the building be Sustainable enough to produce it's own energy on site. Design play a vital role. We can use solar tiles on roof tops to generate clean energy. We can integrate wind turbine with building elevation as we have in bahrain world trade centre. The excessive heat can be restored ans use it during night for purpose. Windows, doors should be located in specific places for good day lightning & ventilation so that cooling and other energy demand is less. Until we design better cities & building we cannot achieve sdg7. All the goals are connected with each other and we will look to it holistically.
Hi Muhammad, nice to connect with you. I'm Tove from Sweden, currently working for UNDP in South Africa. I really agree with you in that all SDGs are connected and that we need to look at them holistically. I also really like the connection you make between SDG 7 and 11, and the importance of addressing the huge energy usage and resources consumption that is related to the built environment. What do you think is required from a policy point of view to incentivise more energy-efficient and green buildings? For example in your country, Pakistan but also at the global level? Also, how can governments encourage and empower individuals, families and communities to behave in a more energy and resource-efficient manner - connecting to SDG 12? And what role could young people have in this?
Tove Nordberg from african proverb some one shared in our conversation below if we want to go far we will go together. Change in individual sector will bring change but it will be less as compared to when we work collectively. Government should now implement green buildings code to every building type. In our area we told already to peshawar development authority to include green building bylaws as well in construction bylaws. That codes will be followed by every commercial and residential building in peshawar. The policy that was implemented in French parliament that to utilize rooftops for solar panles or rooftop gardens in 2025 is lovely policy. When everyone implement it every building will produce energy for themselves. So on police perspective it is more important to implement green building code and energy conservation strategies in both commercial and residential building. In peshawar i am happy that majority now installing solar panles on roof top but still many miss.
Thank you Tariq for bring this point, how do you think sustainable energy is able to help us in achieving sustainability for cities and communities?
Last year we presented a proposal to peshawar city government to use urban monuments for producing clean and free energy to people living near by or who cannot afford. We design monuments as well having solar panel on its top and some have wind turbine. Millions are spent on urban sculpture at road round abouts which has no function but harmful for Environment. It is made of concrete or fiber glass which produce so much co2. So why not make it useful.
Thank you Tariq, your contribution is extremely useful for the discussion as you brought in the new perspective as an expert in architecture. As I assumed, you have touched the question 1 and 3 by pointing out the linkage between energy consumption and the urban/community planning process.
It would be great if you could share with us more on the following points:
Again, thank you very much, and look forward to listening for more of your fruitful inputs!
Anh Tuan city & community design with people & energy in mind will play a key role in achieving sdg7. A group of houses which are completely on neat and clean energy will have a major impact.
Net metering is a tool which we can measure how much energy a community is producing. This is a kind of motivation as well. More the implementation of energy conservation building energy codes will make us able to monitor and measure the change.
We are facing a lot problems when ever we design a building in our community people are reluctant in using thermal mass materials or cavity walls or roof insulation because it is costly at first , people cannot imagine the benifit they give to a customer. Government if make model houses or even community spaces like mosque, public spaces are made a model then people will realize.
4: Challenges
I would like to comment on Q4,
I am Basit Uzair, currently work at UNDP Programme as an intern.
In context of Pakistan,
First, one of the biggest barrier to achieve SDG7 is Political instability and lack of cohesion between bureaucrats. Secondly, lack of infrastructure and inadequate technology which leads to be dependent on fossil fuel.
Welcome Basit Uzair!
It is great to have your inputs on question 4.
Your thoughts also make me reflect on the context of Vietnam as we are battling between lifting the livelihood of people and develop sustainably. For the past decades, we have been relying on fossil fuel and hydropower to provide energy for different aspects of a nation. However, the government has started the plan for renewable energy shift, but it takes time, technology-heavy, and very costly.
From your comment, I can see the linkages between SDG7 and SDG9 (Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG16 (Peace and Justice), they depend on each other. (Question 1)
How about questions 2, how can we measure the linkages between those SDGs, how can we see the impacts of achieving one to another?
Anh Tuan
Thank you for your comment!
I would say, we live in the Organic World, where each and everything depends on each others, so Energy can play a pivotal role in poverty reduction, increasing life expectancy through better hospitalization, and good health. Can boost Education facilities etc etc. But it all depends on proper utilization of the resources.
Let me share with you an example from my Area, I live in a highly backward area within Pakistan. Which is a rich area by Fossil fuels and occupied by Oil and Gas Companies, but still you will not find any hospital, education center, or any other basic facilities including drinking water.
And on other side, we have a neighbor district which is Also rich in Oil and Gas. But the situation is different there for locals as they have been provided all kinds of facilities including University, hospital etc,.
Like us, they have also no other way for living except doing a Job.
But through provision of developmental projects, they have become highly qualified in Education, with Good Health, as they are also provided clean water, better transport system etc etc. Which results in better standard of life for them.
Energy through Oil and Gas Companies, have developed that area in all aspects of life including Heath, Education, Poverty reduced by providing jobs opportunities, now parents can send their children to other cities for higher education as they can afford their expenses now.
Infact, Oil and Gas (proper utilization on Energy) has been a game changer for that Area.
So, what I am trying to say is, if Oil and Gas in terms of Energy is utilized in a better way, it could be a game changer for any area and for the rest of the world.
If the same developmental projects were brought into my area, I believe I would not be in another city right now and would be getting my education from my home Area.
Thank you!.
Basit Uzair , this is indeed a very valid point, my friend!
It is obvious that energy usage brings opportunities and helps people to have a better quality of life (infrastructure, jobs, incomes...) and we can use them as measurement.
Also, I understand that you are taking oil and gas as an example for energy, but we all know that energy in general and fossil energy in particular always comes with a cost (environment, health, and social disparity...and many more). Could you help to elaborate more on the downside them:
- How can we measure both the positive and negative impact of energy on other aspects of development (frameworks, indicators)?
- When we have to make the decision to invest in a kind of "energy", what sorts of information that we need to take into consideration?
Cheers!
Basit Uzair
In addition, as we're talking about SDG7 - Affordable and Clean Energy. I am curious to know more of your insight on measuring the impacts of the SDG7 progress to other SDGs? (supposedly by transitioning to more sustainable types/methods of using energy)
I believe we are in dire need of developing a society where the individual are aware of aligning their energy interests with that of the society in the long run. The option of using clean energy should be the highlighting one over non-renewable source of energy. The higher demand of such sources would compel the higher authorities to take action as per the needs. If such awareness is visible on a large and collective scale, there would be more doors of opportunities with the aid of international alliances which would in turn, might help to remove the present hindrances in achievement of goals.
Hi Pratham,
I totally agree with you on this, there is no single solution for this complex issue. We need both bottom-up and top-down approaches to tackle the problem comprehensively. At the same time, I believe that we also need to understand the barriers that are setting us back from this universal goal. It would be great if you could share more from your experience/context about some challenges that you face in achieving SDG7 (question 4).
Thank you very much and look forward to your contribution.
As far as I observed, in India, we are in a transitioning phase of equipping clean energy from non-renewable source of energy. In this phase, the barriers that I have observed are lack fo awareness, especially in rural areas which causes reluctance in changing the source. Costs could also play a vital role in determining the transitioning. Then perhaps capitalist approach of profit making also hinders the transitioning phase. I believe largely, people have fixated upon the usage of Non-renewable source of energy simply because for of its usage for long years. Mental barriers are something to work upon which is present in authorities as well. Government is taking some vital steps in achieving renewable source of energy goals which is laudable. However, as you mentioned, this complex problem requires a participation from each and everyone.
Pratham Maheshwari, Xin cảm ơn - many thanks in my mother tongue for your active participation.
You have shown us a very clear example of the challenges of both bottom-up (individual level) and top-down (policymaking and implementation) approaches. Please feel free to drop any further comment on the challenges in achieving SDG7.
My advance apology for further taking advantage of you ?, but I really hope you can give us some ideas on question 2:
Ex: As I imagine we could take an example of SDG7 and SGD8 like this:
❤️ ? ?
Anh Tuan No issues and thank you. Not delving into specific indicators as such, but I believe that we could certainly identify a positive relationship in the process of achievement of SDG 7 and other SDGs. If there is a progress in achievement of SDG 7 then there would be a progress in the achievement of other SDGs as well. Perhaps, this could be the most apparant significant indicator. Direct or indirect relations could be interpreted. For instance:-
SDG 1- (direct) poverty will be reduced as clean energy would be available at affordable prices and hence less economic burden
SDG 2- (indirect) if poverty is reduced, then hunger crisis can also be addressed efficiently
SDG 3- (direct) clean energy would result in better health being as pollution of air would reduce
SDG 4- (indirect) if poverty would be reduced, then quality education can be achieved
SDG 5- (direct) access to clean energy at affordability will open opportunities for usage for all the genders, leading to gender equality
SDG 6- (direct) clean energy could be used for purifying water and maintaining sanitation through technology
SDG 8- (direct) production of clean energy at affordable rates could provide employment opportunities and due to its affordability, industries could work more efficiently by diverting costs in their operations
SDG 9- (direct) in the pursuit of clean energy, innovation and novel infrastructure would be needed
SDG 10- (direct) affordability and accessibility would reduce energy inequalities
SDG 11- (direct) renewable sources of energy would lead to more overall sustainability as energy is needed, directly or indirectly, for any sustainability
SDG 12- (direct) since clean energy would be affordable and accessible, production and consumption would also be in its accordance
SDG 13- (direct) clean energy would unequivocally address the issue of climate change
SDG 14- (indirect) clean energy would result in less exploitation of seawater as adversities caused due to non-renewable sources of energy would decline
SDG 15- (indirect) clean energy would result in less exploitation of wildlife as adversities caused due to non-renewable sources of energy would decline
SDG 16- (direct) due to renewable, accessible and affordable nature of clean energy, less conflicts would arise leading to maintenance of peace
SDG 17- (direct) Achievement of SDG 7 or any SDG requires a resilient alliance at higher as well as grassroot level and thus promoting partnerships
Pratham Maheshwari Excelente analisis, los 17 SDGs tienen que estar interconectados, a corto plazo a mediano plazo y a largo plazo, ahi vamos a determinar logramos un 100% en un impacto positivo, a veces por inercia podemos tener un impacto negativo, y ahi la comunicacion , la creatividad la creatividad , empatia , liderazgo piensamiento critico, etc. ahi entra los dos pilares que es 4.7 y el 16.17 para tener una buena base, ante cualquier contigencia (COVID19)
Alfonso Navarro Carvallo thank you. The interconnected framework of all the SDGs should be resilient enough to face any type of impediment without hampering the process of achieving SDGs.
Hello everyone, Can we have online video meeting/ Zoom meeting, it would be nice to discuss and share our opinions there as well. Please!
Hi Basit,
Many thanks for writing, my name is Benjamin and I am currently working as a Climate Change Junior Specialist at UNDP. We recently had a discussion, however I will be happy to connect with you - my email is [email protected]
Basit Uzair and Benjamin Basmaci
I think your idea to connect directly online is brilliant. However, we also encourage discussion on SparkBlue at this moment as we all want to engage young people from different timezones, languages, and backgrounds.
Let's spread the word to your friends and networks, and we can definitely gather more ideas and participation for an online video meeting (or any other kinds of real-time interaction) asap after this consultation
This also reminds me of an inspiring African proverb
Anh Tuan
Ok That's nice.
Actually I wanted to connect everyone for future conversation. Because After April, I am not sure that we will get in touch here. Thank you
Basit Uzair I believe that we will have future opportunities to engage. Maybe, we can start by brainstorming some potential topics in this TWG3 (and others) that we want to further explore/discuss. Any idea?
Hello everyone, I have been reading through your discussions and will be focusing on 3 and 4.
I work in the Nigerian Humanitarian sector, first-hand encounter with those who are barely surviving so my inputs will be based on my work experience not on what the country as a whole is doing.
3, Wood fuel is the go-to energy source for over 5 million displaced persons and 49% of Nigerians below the poverty line. Efforts have been made to provide both wind and solar energy as an alternate source of energy but the cost and maintenance to high if you equate it with the cost of providing social protection for those in dire need
4. I have started on 4 above but the cost of transition to renewable energy is too here and I don't think enough research has been done into cheaper African tailored-made renewable energy sources.
Hello Musa, thank you so much for your input. As someone who is also interested in humanitarian energy, I believe the issues that you have raised regarding the cost needed for deployment and adaptation of renewable energy technologies are valid. In your comment, you have mentioned mainly wind and solar energy but I was wondering as the energy challenge in settlement areas heavily focuses on cooking, what about the utilization of bioenergy and biofuels? Ethanol has been an option in different refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. Or the use of biomass briquettes, which is something that is being done in different camps such as Dollo Ado by Women and Youth Pastoralist initiatives. So I was wondering what the experience is like in Nigeria in that aspect or if you do consider these solutions feasible?
Hey am Judy Njenga from from Kenya and am humbled to be part of this discussion, looking forward to learning more by sharing of ides
Hello Judy and welcome to this consultation! :) Would you like to share why are you interested in this Discussion Room and maybe what are you initial thoughts on the consultation questions?
For the world to be a better place ,access to energy must be paramount,most especially developing and under developed countries,in the sense that no energy access no development and growth. Energy is life. There vulnerable people in this countries were energy is needed to keep the system running and working,every sector needs energy,most especially the health sector. We have so many issues concerning power outrage during surgeries in african countries whereby deaths are recorded. There must be an established solution to this .
Hello IYUMAME ALVAN NWUCHE.
Thank you for your participation in the discussion.
You have mentioned the linkages between SDG7 and SDG8, with the absence of energy there will be no chance for development and growth. Energy also plays a critical role in ensuring the achievement of SDG3, especially in the time of a global health crisis with the COVID-19, and it severely affecting those most disadvantaged groups.
I would like to ask you to further elaborate your points with the following questions:
1. Can you explain a little bit more on the connection between SDG7 and those SDGs (and others if any) in your context, it would be great if you can also provide some examples?
2. If relevant, Could you explain a little bit further on how renewable energy transition can be Just & Inclusive in your community/country/region to ensure that people have access To the healthcare and other services that entitled to them by rights.
Thank you and look forward to hear from you
Acknowledging the various regional models for inclusivity, I believe such models need acceleration from concerned authorities. The direct participation of concerned individual through these models would be an apt framework of inclusivity since the outreach would be maximum. Resources and assistance have to be provided for a better implementation of such models on large scale for witnessing a significant improvement
This consultation will close shortly. Your moderators will post their summaries in the next few days.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the participants for your excellent and thoughtful inputs and to encourage you to remain engaged in this group. We will leave the Networking Lounge and the News Room open so please keep posting and stay tuned for "the next steps" and new opportunities from UNDP.
We look forward to continue working with you!
Caroline Baxter Tresise
Facilitator, Community of Practice on Energy, UNDP
1. Opportunities & Focusing our attention:
Summary of the consultation:
It is undeniable that SDG7 plays a vital role in achieving other SDGs, we have dived in some of the key SDGs that has close linkages with SDG7 such as:
Overall, SDG7 has is a central component to the road of achieving SDGs and also is interconnected with other goals as a critical element of life.
2. Measuring our impact:
Summary of the consultation:
We can all agree that achieving SDG7 has an impact on all other SDGs, some of them are very hard to measure but some are very visible. To measure the progress, we can start to look at those basic indications such as the usage percentage of other types of (traditional) energy to measure the transition to renewable energy. At the decision-making level, monitor the ratification and compliance with energy-related law, policies is a very important sign to look at the progress; at the individual and community level, we can develop the framework to measure the linkage between clean and affordable energy with the quality of life such as poverty rate, life expectancy, and health, investment in education and infrastructure.
Our dear friend Pratham Maheshwari also provided a very insightful list of indications that we can consider when building such a framework:
Summary:
3.Your experiences:
4. Challenges:
4. Challenges:
Summary of the consultation:
First of all, the political environment is one of the main barriers on the road to achieving SDG7, especially in those nations with political instability and lack of cohesion between bureaucrats, also the global incoherence and different interest of countries are also creating challenges to implement SDG7 transitional measures at the national level and at the multi-national scale.
Secondly, we still have many “don’t know” about the potential pros and cons of it. Especially the lack of scientific information to understanding at the local level is preventing us from a sustainable and just transition at a large scale.
Besides, the cost of the transition to renewable energy is still very high and not all countries/communities are able to afford such infrastructure and inadequate technology to allow them to start the transitioning process..
Great point Anh Tuan, how do you think countries can overcome this challenge or maybe what's our role as youth? Do you think encouraging more youth participation the political sphere would help in reducing the lack of stability?