Global Commitment Towards Sustainable Energy

What is it about?

All the 193 United Nations (UN) member countries have agreed and accepted the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its meeting held in 2015. These SDGs consist of 17 goals, reinforced by 169 targets and further supported by 230 universal scales. Access to economical, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all is one of the UN sustainable goals set for achievement by 2030. This article discusses the global sustainable energy commitment, the plans of some high producers of greenhouse gases countries which have set for achievement by 2030 under the United Nations (UN) convention on climate change. It is anticipated that if these plans were to be implemented, the total sustainable energy contribution could grow by nearly 11,000 TWh by 2030. These plans can provide a guideline for those countries who are still preparing to submit their plan at the UN.

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Why is it important?

An extensive utilization of sustainable energy is necessary to address the phenomenon of global warming, not only to control the greenhouse gas (GHG) diffusions but also to raise energy security, maintain the progress of the universal economy, and to deliver energy access to the billions of human still surviving without modern energy facilities. With fossil fuels still contributing almost 80% of the world’s basic energy requirement, energy generation and utilization is responsible for nearly two thirds of the world’s GHG diffusions; energy industry directions will be a main part in determining the earth’s future emissions trajectory. The total carbon emission in 1950 was 1630 million metric tons per year which rose to 9855 million metric tons per year in 2010. It is anticipated from the GHS emissions, that by the end of this century, there will be an addition of 2~6°C to the earth’s temperature. All these problems are well acknowledged and the Paris agreement appears to be a very solid step to tackle these issues. The United Nations sustainability goals set for achievement by 2030 stress the access to clean, efficient, sustainable and economical energy for all. Most of the countries have submitted their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions plans to the UN, showing how they intend to achieve this goal. A greater cooperation among the countries will enable to learn from each other experience and to develop future strategies to cope effectively with the global warming issue. Although the major responsibilities with the high producers of greenhouses gases, it is also important for the countries and regions representing 20 % who have not yet prepared any sustainable energy plan, to join hands with the world and put their potential plans in action.

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