Page 19 - TEXtalks International July/August 2022

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Pakistan stresses the need for

accomplishing pledges and

commitments of $600 billion

Pakistan stresses the need for accomplishing share of renewable energy; and doubling the energy
pledges and commitments of $600 billion for green efficiency and conservation rate. Pakistan aims that
energy. Pakistan is one of the countries badly by 2030, 60% of the country's energy will be clean
affected by climate change, and increasing pollution and renewable energy. Pakistan's solar and wind
levels and reduction in greenery are also threatening power potential is over 40,000 MW. Also, 30% of
the country. Thus, switching to green energy is vehicles will be electric vehicles by 2030.
becoming vital. Pakistan is looking to welcome the
Global Roadmap for Accelerated SDG Action, Minister further said that even before the COVID
developed in the 2021 High-Level Dialogue, and the pandemic, the world was falling behind in progress
over 200 Energy Compacts, including pledges of toward achieving SDG 7 and the goals of the 2030
$600 billion. agenda. Some 733 million people have no access to
electricity; significant gaps remain between urban
The world is progressing towards Goal 7, encourag- and rural access, and 2.4 billion people are still
ing signs that energy is becoming more sustainable without access to clean cooking solutions. For the
and widely available. Access to electricity in poorer second year, investments in clean energy in devel-
countries has begun to accelerate, energy efficiency oping countries have declined; in 2019, these were
continues to improve, and renewable energy is only $10.9 billion.
making impressive gains in the electricity sector.
Nevertheless, more focused attention is needed to Green energy is essential for the environment as it
improve access to clean and safe cooking fuels and replaces the harmful effects of fossil fuels with more
technologies for 3 billion people, expand renewable environmentally-friendly alternatives. Derived from
energy beyond the electricity sector, and increase natural resources, green energy is also often
electrification in sub-Saharan Africa. renewable and clean, meaning that they emit no or
few greenhouse gases and are often readily availa-
Pakistan's Minister believes that it is evident that ble. Even when a green energy source's complete
achieving SDG7: universal access to clean and life cycle is considered, they release far fewer
sustainable energy is indispensable for progress on greenhouse gases than fossil fuels and few or low
all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and levels of air pollutants. This is not just good for the
climate goals. Three objectives drive Pakistan's planet but is also better for the health of people and
policy: universal access to energy, doubling the animals that have to breathe the air.

July/August 2022