Despite substantial changes in energy supply in many developed regions over the last few decades, one fifth of the world’s population (1.3 billion) still lacks access to it. There are still people who do not have access to electricity. The global energy supply is marked by extensive use of fossil fuels (81.3 percent) leading to environmental problems. The switch to renewable energy is the solution.
This will help to climate change by combining a diversity of resources with new energy efficient technologies.
Canada launched a program called the Moving Forward Together – Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy, in support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
One of the goals in the program is to ‘Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all’
Role of the government
- Provide leadership, guidelines, and legislation to promote the energy transition by creating an energy service company (ESCO) to reduce energy demand and costs while also raising awareness about sustainable energy.
- Develop, plan, and rebuild neighborhoods to reduce or even produce excess energy demand (zero-net buildings) (energy plus buildings)
- Introduce energy-saving standards and legislation for use by households, public utilities, and (where possible) private companies to promote the use of renewables in procurement, practices and regulations.
- Minimize the use of fossil fuels, implement policies, community planning methods, and educational strategies.
- Encourage the use of “smart” technologies, such as linking mini-grids to buildings and public transportation.
- To promote reform, include financial and regulatory incentives and disincentives (e.g. congestion charge or tax rebates for use of green energy)
- Help a range of funding programs aimed at delivering renewable energy to underserved neighborhoods and slums.
Multiple objectives
In order to achieve this goal, the Canadian government has a list of objectives it seeks to achieve by 2030:
Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
Expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries
Canada’s initiatives to achieve this goal
- Canada hopes to reduce energy consumption and promote annual energy savings by adopting energy efficiency codes standards and practices.
- By 2030 the government hopes to save 600 petajoules of annual energy savings by adopting efficient energy use practices.
- Provide access to clean and renewable energy
- Ensure that by 2030 100% of electricity in Canada is generated through renewable and non-emitting sources
Canada’s determination to ensure access to clean energy for its residents is a testimony of its desire to meet the U. N’s agenda will ensure a better quality of life for everyone living in Canada including immigrants.