Linking Solar Energy Systems to Sustainable Development Goals in Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 64-84
Author(s):  
Ademola A. Adenle
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Development Goals

Energy was not stated as one of the millennium development goals (MDGs) but played an indirect role in helping meet the MDGs especially in the areas of housing, health, education, and poverty reduction in Africa. In contrast, the United Nations’ 2030 agenda includes 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), one of which is devoted to energy. SDG7 seeks to ensure “access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all,” thereby creating a vital role for the energy sector to join in the task of achieving SDGs. Renewable energy including solar energy will play a significant role in improving energy security in Africa and diversifying the energy mix by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This chapter examines the advantages of solar technologies in the context of social, economic, and environment benefits using case studies from Kenya and South Africa. This chapter also examines some of the key challenges that are associated with the application of solar energy technologies in these countries. Finally, the chapter discusses how solar energy technologies can help meet SDGs and summarizes policy and programs targeting the promotion of solar energy technologies for the implementation of SDGs.

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 in Ogun State, Nigeria : Lessons from the Millennium Development Goals Poverty Reduction Strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-105
Author(s):  
Durokifa Anuoluwapo ◽  
Dominique Uwizeyimana
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Reduction Strategy ◽  
Ogun State ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Poverty Reduction Strategy

There is no gainsaying the fact that one of the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals is to end poverty in all its form by 2030. However, the continuous increase in poverty level has generated a lot of debates among policymakers and scholars while government keeps formulating policies to avert the situation. Thus, with SDGs in view, the study took into cognizance the MDGs before it and what hindered it from the full actualisation of its goal, specifically MD Goal 1a “eradicate extreme poverty”. Using quantitative data, the study examined the implementation of MDGs and pinpointed the factors that affected the implementation of the MDG poverty reduction strategy. These factors include corruption, lack of awareness, politics of poverty, non-poor targeted, etc. On this basis, the paper suggests that, if Ogun State will achieve SDG1 by 2030, factors such as good leadership, identification of the poor, awareness and infrastructural opportunities will need to be addressed.

Environmental Ethics and Sustainability in Indian Thought

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 55-87
Author(s):  
Rana P. B. Singh ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Ethics ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Deep Ecology ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Indian Thought ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Universe

Religion (dharma) plays a vital role in the Hindu (Sanatana) quest for understanding and practicing harmony between nature and humanity that result into the formation of a cosmological awakening, i.e. 'transcending the universe.' The importance and applicability of such new consciousness is a sign in promoting global humanism in the 21st century, where environmental ethics and sustainability are the wheels of making the future more humane and peaceful. Arne Naess, who coined the term 'deep ecology' conceiving humankind as an integral part of its environment, gives credit to Gandhi. Gandhi’s contributions help to re-awaken the human spirit to self-realisation, finally leading to revelation promoting human coexistence with nature sustainably, mostly through re-interpretation of Vedantic thought. Under the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) the ideas of Gandhi are recognised as a path that makes human coexistence stronger, feasible and co-sharedness, sustainable in peace and harmony with nature. This essay presents ecospiritual contextuality and its vitality concerning a sustainable perspective in line with Gandhi's vision and way of life.

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 Relationship between tourism and Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Circular Economy as a future bet

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Miguel Rodríguez-Antón
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Peace And Justice ◽  
Development Goals

No one has the slightest doubt about the enormous potential that the African continent has as a tourist destination. The diversity of cultures, the great biodiversity that it possesses, the multiple artistic manifestations that it offers and the beauty of the seas that surround it are key pieces in continuing to promote its capacity as a tourist attraction, which is approximately 60 million tourists per year who generate seven percent of exports and employment. However, in order for Africa to take off, it is necessary that a number of conditions related to security, health, education, eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities, peace and justice and quality of its waters, among others, are intimately related to the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda. In this context, we maintain that the implementation of the Circular Economy in Africa will be a key tool in this process of improving the sustainability of this continent in its three aspects, economic, social and environmental, and raising its level of tourism competitiveness.

scholarly journals Empowering Theory of Poverty Reduction for Sustainable Development: Does the Welfare of Descendants Matter?

2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-63
Author(s):  
Juliusz Piwowarski ◽  
◽  
Larysa Yankovska ◽  
Bohdan-Petro Koshovyi ◽  
Ira Von-Nagy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Poverty Eradication ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
The Future ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Valid Form

The first Sustainable Development Goal expresses the global concern in poverty eradication. We looked at the theory of poverty reduction with a long-term perspective in mind to confirm the congruence of modern approaches and their compliance with the principles of sustainable development. Despite clear signs of targeting Sustainable development goals to the future, we have found that future poverty needs deep discussion. We researched legal acts, policies and scientific sources to prove the possibility and suitability of recognising future poverty as a valid form of poverty. We considered the main possible difficulties that will challenge initiatives of future poverty exhausting. Finally, we proposed several perspective directions of further research to include the future poverty concept into the agenda of governments and supranational organisations.

scholarly journals Ending Poverty: Factors That Might Influence the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Saddam Rassanjani
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Alternative Funding ◽  
Reduction Program ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Potential Factors

The eradication of poverty is the top priorities of the Indonesian government. This study examines the poverty reduction program in Indonesia within the framework of the global development agenda that is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the discussion focused on Goal 1 (No Poverty). This qualitative research offers a critical review of Goal 1 the SDGs in Indonesia by outlined some potential factors in achieving this gracious mission. And it can be highlighted that; converging of agendas; a collaborative-partnerships; well-established poverty reduction program, alternative funding like Zakat; the innovation of database; and learning from the best practice; are likely will be the key factors that might influence the achievement of SDGs.

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