Sustainable Development Goals as a Tool to Evaluate Multidimensional Clean Energy Initiatives

2019 ◽  
pp. 645-657
Author(s):  
Karen L. Mascarenhas ◽  
Drielli Peyerl ◽  
Nathália Weber ◽  
Dominique Mouette ◽  
Walter Oscar Serrate Cuellar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Development Goals

scholarly journals Why Affordable Clean Energy Is Not Enough. A Capability Perspective on the Sustainable Development Goals

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaela Hillerbrand
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Capability Approach

This paper reflects on criticisms raised in the literature on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These have been criticized as creating a dichotomy between the environment and human beings that fails to address the multiple interconnections between the two. This paper focuses on SDG7—“affordable and clean energy”—and suggests that there is in fact a tripartite distinction between the environment, human beings and technology underlying the SDGs. This distinction, we argue, does not adequately represent the multiple interconnections among the various SDGs and hampers their implementation. We contend that the formulation of SDG7 produces a circular definition of sustainability, a difficulty that is currently resolved at the level of the targets and indicators in a way that regards energy technologies primarily as artifacts. By contrast, the literature on ethical aspects of energy systems largely agrees that energy is a paradigmatic example of a sociotechnical system. We contend that, by not considering this sociotechnical nature, the SDGs run the risk of implicitly defending a certain variant of technological optimism and determinism. We argue that this is disadvantageous to the environment, human well-being and technological development. In line with recent critical evaluations of the SDGs, we argue that these (and other) shortcomings can be addressed by better connecting the SDGs to human well-being. Building on recent literature that expands the scope of the Capability Approach as an alternative measure of well-being so as to include considerations of sustainability, we articulate a framework that allows us to elucidate this connection and thus to take advantage of synergies between human well-being and the environment. On the basis of the Capability Approach, we argue that equating sustainable energy with renewable energy—as is done in the transition from SDG7’s goal to its targets—is indefensible because, as part of the overarching energy systems, energy technologies cannot be classified as simply right or wrong. Rather, the indicators and targets within a framework focused on sustainability need to be (more) context sensitive, meaning that, among other things, they may vary by country and with the available technology.

scholarly journals Water-Energy-Food Accessibility and Tracking Progress towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the Savannah Region of Katsina State, Nigeria

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 3595
Author(s):  
Yahaya Sani ◽  
Miklas Scholz
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Pairwise Comparison ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Food Accessibility ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Ecological Regions ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Sustainability Challenges

Although remarkable progress has been achieved in reducing hunger and poverty and improving people’s health in the past couple of decades, humanity still faces considerable socio-economic and sustainability challenges. Ensuring sustainable access to safe and sufficient water, improved sanitation facilities, clean energy sources and healthy food is a necessary requirement for ending hunger and poverty, advancing health and achieving all the goals of the sustainable development agenda. Socio-economic variables are determinant factors of water, energy and food accessibility. Ecological region, income and education are measures used in this study, which aims to examine a pairwise comparison of water and energy sources, sanitation facilities and food accessibilities in six sampling communities and tracking progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDG) at a local scale using nine specific SDG indicators. A study involving questionnaire administration covering 1785 households across the three ecological regions of Katsina state was performed. Two communities representing urban and rural households from each of the ecological regions were selected. An analysis of variance was used to test the equality of resource accessibility across the investigated communities followed up by a post hoc analysis to identify significant mean groups. The results showed that the overall access level to safely manage water and sanitation facilities were 16.5% and 28.1%, respectively. Access indices of 1.83 and 1.24 for electricity and cooking fuel, respectively, were calculated in the study area. The study revealed that location, education and income are the key drivers of water, energy and food access and choice.

scholarly journals Biology in the 21st-Century: Transformation in biology science and education in supporting the sustainable development goals

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yudha Gusti Wibowo ◽  
Ali Sadikin
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Biology Education ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Health ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
New Biology ◽  
Zero Hunger

The transformation in education must be directed in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) program. This article aimed to discuss the potential support of New Biology in achieving the formulated SDGs. This literature review covered 31 articles which were published since 2010 to 2019. The keywords used to collect the data were new biology, future biology, biology education, biological science, and biology. The review results informed that New Biology can potentially enact five goals of SDGs, i.e. goal 2 (Zero Hunger), goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), goal 4 (Quality Education), goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). By considering the findings, it is suggested to promote New Biology approach in Indonesian educational system.

Public–private partnerships for sustainable infrastructure development in Ghana: a systematic review and recommendations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Akomea-Frimpong ◽  
Xiaohua Jin ◽  
Robert Osei-Kyei ◽  
Augustine Senanu Kukah
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Projects ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Development Goals

PurposeThe contribution of the public–private partnership (PPP) model towards the achievement of the United Nation (UN)'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been widely acknowledged. However, limited studies have shed light on the connection between PPPs and the achievement of these coveted goals in Ghana. In this study, the authors aimed at analysing and synthesising the existing literature on the use of PPP to achieve sustainability in infrastructure projects in the country.Design/methodology/approachA three-step approach was used to retrieve and review 60 selected articles aided by content analysis.FindingsThe analysis showed that all existing relevant publications on the application of the PPP model to attain UN’s SDGs in the country are organised around dominant themes, such as poverty alleviation, urban development, waste management and risk management. However, the review revealed little studies exist on pertinent issues relating to PPPs and sustainable development goals, such as climate action, critical resilience, sustainable finance and clean energy.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the study is limited to 60 articles in Ghana, the results reveal pertinent gaps for further research studies to achieve sustainable infrastructural development in Ghana and other countries.Practical implicationsHolistically, the outcome of this study will serve as a guide to project managers to understand essential issues on attaining sustainability on public projects.Originality/valueThis article contributes to the literature and practice on the significance of PPP in mainstreaming UN's SDGs in public infrastructure projects.

scholarly journals The Nexus between the Austrian Forestry Sector and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Review of the Interlinkages

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reneema Hazarika ◽  
Robert Jandl
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Forestry Sector ◽  
Development Goals

Since the inception of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, there has been much conceptual progress on the linkages across the 17 goals and their 169 targets. While this kind of conceptualization is an essential first step, action must now move towards systematic policy design, implementation, and multi-stakeholder collaborations that can translate such understanding into concrete results. This study is a reality check of such quasi-political global development agendas by the United Nations and its implications on Austrian forestry. Although forestry is not a goal in itself, forests as an element have been included under SDG15 (Life on Land). In this study, the linkages of forestry with potential synergies or trade-offs within and between the SDGs have been assessed through a literature survey and complemented with the perception of opinion leaders across the Austrian forestry sector on the same. The insights about awareness, design, implementation, and the necessity of mainstreaming the SDGs into the policy structure of Austria were reviewed. Besides facilitating the goals of sustainable forest management (SFM) in Austria, the SDG15 is not only strongly related to, but is likely to aid, the achievement of other SDGs, such as human health (SDG3), provision of clean water (SDG6), affordable & clean energy (SDG7), and climate action (SDG13). The opinion leaders perceive the SDGs as well-placed but broad. Some this broadness is a positive aspect of the SDGs. On the other hand, the 15-year (2015–2030) tenure of the SDGs is perceived to be inadequate to match the temporal scale of forest development. Apparently, the success of the SDGs will strictly depend upon coordination, governance, and most importantly, awareness among all stakeholders. Therefore, in addition to “leaving no one behind”, the SDGs must evidently provide incentives benefitting everybody.

scholarly journals Implementation of Bioenergy Systems towards Achieving United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in Rural Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 3814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khondokar M. Rahman ◽  
David J. Edwards ◽  
Lynsey Melville ◽  
Hatem El-Gohary
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Energy Deficiency ◽  
Development Goals

This research presents a conceptual model to illustrate how people living in rural areas can harness bioenergy to create beneficial ‘community-driven’ income-generating activities. The research is contextualised within the rural developing areas of Bangladesh where people live in abject poverty and energy deficiency. The research methodology applied in this study aims to determine the basic requirements for implementing community-based anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities and illustrate how an AD facility positively impacts upon the lives of rural communities directly after its installation. The survey results demonstrate that implementing a biogas plant can save 1 h and 43 min of worktime per day for a rural family where women are generally expected to for cook (by the long-term tradition). In addition to the positive impacts on health and climate change through adoption of clean energy generation, this time saving could be utilised to improve women′s and children’s education. The research concludes that, by providing easy access to clean bioenergy, AD can change people’s quality of life, yielding major social, economic and environmental transformations; key benefits include: extending the working day; empowering women; reducing indoor air pollution; and improving people’s health and welfare. Each of these tangible benefits can positively contribute towards achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This work demonstrates the potential to increase the implementation of AD systems in other developing world countries that have similar geographic and socioeconomic conditions.

scholarly journals Synergies and Trade-offs among Sustainable Development Goals: The Case of Spain

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10506
Author(s):  
Carlos de Miguel Ramos ◽  
Rafael Laurenti
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Quality Education ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Clean Water ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Development Goals

The United Nations plans have marked global sustainable development for more than two decades. Most of the developed and developing countries have adopted these plans to achieve the Agenda 2030, currently formed by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis of the interactions between the SDGs is a growing area in research and of interest for governments. However, studies on how positive correlations can improve deteriorated goals are scarce for countries to date. This study aims at filling this gap by finding and quantifying the synergies and trade-offs among the SDGs of Spain. During the years 2000–2019, almost 80% of the SDG targets had significant interactions, either positive (synergy) or negative (trade-off). SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 5 (gender Equality) and SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) contained the largest number of positive interactions, more than 60% in all of them. SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing) was strongly linked with indicators from SDG 4 (quality education) and also SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). Furthermore, indicators from SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) shared a high correlation with the ones from SGD 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 15 (life on land). SDG 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 11 (sustainable cities and communities) had the slowest evolution during the years 2000–2019, showing contractions in some instances. We developed a regression model to assess the influence that selected targets have had on a less evolved target (target 8.6—proportion of youth not in education, employment or training). We managed to clarify high influence from target 1.3 (unemployment compensations), target 8.4 (domestic material consumption) and target 10.5 (non-performing loans) on the dependent variable. Identifying numerical dependencies between the SDGs may help nations to develop a roadmap where targets work as cogwheel towards achieving the Agenda 2030.

scholarly journals Contribution of Biomass Supply Chains for Bioenergy to Sustainable Development Goals

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
M. Jean Blair ◽  
Bruno Gagnon ◽  
Andrew Klain ◽  
Biljana Kulišić
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Biomass Supply ◽  
Development Goals

This work evaluates the relationships between bioenergy and related biomass supply chains and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using Nilsson et al. (2016) seven-point scoring framework, the relationships between biomass supply for bioenergy and the SDGs were evaluated based on existing synthesis papers, modeling studies and empirical analyses, and expert knowledge. To complement this, contributions to SDG targets of 37 best practice case studies from around the world were documented. In reviewing these case studies, it was found that when supply chains are implemented appropriately and integrated with existing systems, they can have overwhelmingly positive contributions. Beyond directly contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), at least half of all case studies supported progress toward SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption); however, the ways in which supply chains contributed often differed. Agricultural biomass supply chains (energy crops and residues) were most likely to contribute to SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), while waste and forest supply chains were most likely to contribute to SDG 15 (Life on Land). The development of bioenergy systems in rural and indigenous communities also indirectly supports societal SDGs such as SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Inequality), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). This work informs how SDGs can be used as a normative framework to guide the implementation of sustainable biomass supply chains, whether it is used for bioenergy or the broader bioeconomy. Recommendations for key stakeholders and topics for future work are also proposed.

scholarly journals Development of an Interdisciplinary Master of Forestry Program Focused on Forest Management in a Changing Climate

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 632
Author(s):  
Helge Walentowski ◽  
Bettina Kietz ◽  
Jürgen Horsch ◽  
Thomas Linkugel ◽  
Wolfgang Viöl
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Exchange Programs ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Temperate Deciduous Forests

Concerted efforts are required to achieve the essential UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. This concept paper is focused on the development of a new Master of Forestry (MF) degree program at our University of Applied Sciences (UAS). With this move, we want to outline how capacity building and valuable synergy effects can be obtained from close cooperation in teaching and research, in order to educate our scientifically trained and practice-oriented forestry students in applying new management responses to natural disturbance impacts and sustainable use of terrestrial natural resources for forest resource-dependent communities. Specifically, we show how the emergent issues of global warming and the associated increased vulnerability of temperate deciduous forests can be tackled. Actions to overcome knowledge transfer barriers will provide sound solutions for SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 15 (life on land), and SDG 17 (partnerships to achieve the goal). Focusing on the Global Sustainable Development Goals can trigger intra and inter-faculty processes of cooperation, exchange programs, and optimized interfaces of previously separated disciplines that complement each other perfectly to form a knowledge hub.

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