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Introduction:

Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability. Energy is a crucial resource to undertake developmental activities and advance living standards. However, if it is not affordable, reliable, sustainable and accessible, the goal of sustainable development will be hard to achieve. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)-7 thus commits to affordable and clean energy for all.

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India’s progress in the direction of greener cleaner sustainable energy

• Accessible energy: Various schemes like PAHAL, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana; Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga; DBT for kerosene under PDS, etc., have improved the access and provided better sources of energy to the people, thereby relieving them from the unsustainable and harmful use of firewood and kerosene.
• Affordable energy: If energy is not affordable, the poorer sections of society would not be able to access it and would thus be left behind.
• For instance, with almost 100% household electrification through the “Saubhagya” scheme and subsidized electricity rates for the poor households, access to affordable and reliable energy has improved.
• Similarly, PAHAL-LPG subsidy is given so that poor families stop using firewood for cooking.
• Sustainable access: Ambitious renewable energy targets, such as 450 GW by 2030, have led to substantial growth in solar, wind, and other renewable capacities. Renewable energy rates have fallen to rates close to energy from fossil fuel sources.
• Modern energy: India has also launched a Hydrogen mission and e-Vehicle plan for further innovation in affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.

Conclusion:

Without progress on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) – ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all – it will be impossible to achieve the 2030 Agenda for SDG. Universal access, energy efficiency and renewable energy usage will lay the foundation for the eradication of poverty, for climate action and for a sustainable world.

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