World not on track to reach renewable energy objective

THE world is not on track to meet Sustainable Development Goal 7, or the agenda that seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable energy for all, a new report from the UN and partners said last week.

An energy progress report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the UN Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that current efforts were not enough to achieve the SDG 7 on time.

The report noted some progress on some elements of the drive to reach SDG 7, like the increased rate of using renewables in the power sector, but said progress was insufficient to reach the targets set for the 2030 deadline.

SDG 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. The goal includes reaching universal access to electricity and clean cooking, doubling historic levels of efficiency improvements, and substantially increasing the share of renewables in the global energy mix, said the report authors.

Reaching the goal will have a deep and positive impact on people’s health and well-being, helping to protect them from environmental and social risks such as air pollution, and expanding access to primary health care and services.

The global energy crisis, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, is expected to stimulate the deployment of renewables and improve energy efficiency, as some governments boost investment.

However, IRENA estimates show that international public financial flows in support of clean energy in low and middle-income countries have been decreasing since before the COVID-19 pandemic and funding is limited to a small number of countries.

To meet SDG 7 targets, the report said it was necessary to structurally reform international public finance and define new opportunities to unlock investments.

The report also said mounting debt and rising energy prices are worsening the outlook for reaching universal access to clean cooking and electricity.

Current projections estimate that 1.9 billion people will be without clean cooking facilities, and 660 million without electricity access in 2030 if the status quo continues.

These gaps will negatively impact the health of our most vulnerable populations and accelerate climate change, says the report.

According to WHO, 3.2 million people die each year from illness caused by the use of polluting fuels and technologies,

Negros Island inaugurates 1st Earth Market in Silay City

NEGROS Island recently inaugurated the country’s first Slow Food Earth Market in Silay City, becoming the 90th worldwide that aims to give people access to local supply chain products in honor of the environment and workers’ rights.

The Negros Island Slow Food Earth Market is located along the highway in Silay City, Negros Occidental, just across from the city’s Shell gas station.

The idea to create an Earth Market in Negros Island emerged in March 2021, when a pop-up Earth Market was held at Casa A. Gamboa. The Negros Island Earth Market was the initiative of the Slow Food Community Promoting and Preserving Traditional Food of Negros Island group.

which increase exposure to toxic levels of household air pollution.

“We must protect the next generation by acting now. Investing in clean and renewable solutions to support universal energy access is how we can make real change. Clean cooking technologies in homes and reliable electricity in healthcare facilities, can play a crucial role in protecting the health of our most vulnerable populations,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Stefan Schweinfest, of the UN Statistics Division, said despite a recent slowdown in electrification figures, the number of people without electricity almost halved over the past decade, from 1.1 billion, in 2010 down to 675 million in 2021.

“Nonetheless, additional efforts and measures must urgently be put in place to ensure that the poorest and hardestto-reach people are not left behind. To reach universal access by 2030, the development community must scale up clean energy investments and policy support.” UN News

Rep. Francisco Benitez of the third district of Negros Occidental and the local office of the Department of Agriculture visited the market and were impressed by their findings. Many farmers were delighted at being able to access the market and find new customers for their products.

Since its inception, the development process has been coordinated in collaboration with Silay City, the office of the Provincial Governor and the Provincial Tourism office the Negros Department of Agriculture and the Department of Tourism Region 6. “Promoting and preserving our traditional food is of the utmost importance if we are to cultivate and continue Filipino culture to our future generations. We believe that the best way to do this is to talk to our main protagonists—the small farmers,” said Reena Gamboa, a spokesperson for the Slow Food Community of Negros.

“It’s through them that we can all learn what is endemic to our community, and the Earth Market will allow the community to deal straight with the farmers and to pay them the fair price they’re due. By doing so, we valorize our local food sources and appreciate its importance—not only for our physical health but also for our Filipino soul,” she said.