UN Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs
In 2015, the UN gathered world leaders and adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, promote prosperity, ensure well-being for all, and protect the planet. Within the 17 global goals there are 169 targets and indicators to guide action. UN member states are expected to align their agendas and political policies with the SDGs. The SDGs came into force 1 January 2016 and the deadline for achieving them is 2030.
The SDGs need to be seen in its whole, yet we can expect businesses to prioritize certain global goals where they can make the biggest impact.
How business can achieve SDG 7 – Clean Energy
Goal 7 is to “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.” Target 7.2 specifically says: “By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.”
To meet SDG 7 companies can purchase renewable energy documented with Guarantees of Origin in Europe, RECs in North America and I-RECs in a select and growing number of countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
Companies can also create renewable energy while consuming renewable energy with GO2 . This product enables you to produce more energy than you use.
Edie.net has published an SDG Spotlight on SDG 7 with more information about business benefits and strategies to achieve the goal.
Global Goals within reach
More renewable energy needs to be produced and consumed in order to reach the global goals and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. This is a challenge for everybody, especially for companies that use significant amounts of electricity. Power generation is responsible for 30-40% of global emissions, of which businesses are responsible for half. By using renewable energy, companies can act on climate as well – SDG 13 Climate Action.
