SDG 7. Ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable, and Modern Energy for All

Abstract

As the global push for renewable energy intensifies, it becomes imperative to critically assess the socio-territorial repercussions of some of these initiatives in local communities and their environments. The emergence of certain “eco-blind projects” serves as a reminder of situations where innovative modern solutions, although environmentally friendly, fail to acknowledge and safeguard territorial identity and the surrounding landscape. Within this comprehensive framework, the chapter emphasizes the pressing need to strike a delicate equilibrium between the pursuit of energy transition goals and the preservation of local traditions, and ecosystems. By considering the socio-territorial ramifications and fostering community engagement, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders can collectively chart a path that leads toward a more sustainable and inclusive renewable energy landscape. This approach encapsulates not only the imperative of curbing climate change and alleviating energy poverty but also the crucial task of upholding the identity of local communities and safeguarding the irreplaceable natural and cultural resources that form the bedrock of their territory.

Citation

Monaco, S. (2024), "SDG 7. Ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable, and Modern Energy for All", Identity, Territories, and Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities for Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83797-549-520241008