Clean energy can save millions of lives says UN chief

Access to affordable and sustainable can save millions of lives, the Secretary-General of the United Nations said on Monday at the World Future Energy Summit in the United Arab Emirates.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon said: “Sustainable energy is the thread that connects economic growth, social equity, and our efforts to combat climate change.”

Heads of state, ministers and industry leaders from around the world are attending the week-long summit in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

Highlighting the “landmark” Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agreed in September and the COP21 Paris agreement last month, Mr Ban said that for the first time, every UN member state has pledged to act on climate change.

Ban said: “The universality of these agreements, and their inclusive nature, mean that we have a clear way forward,” he said. “Now is the time for action. Governments, the private sector, regional and international organizations, must start working to implement the 17 ambitious Global Goals.”

The seventh SDG targets access to sustainable energy for all and Ban stated that clean, sustainable energy will help to achieve climate targets and will also save an estimated 4.3 million lives every year.

The estimate is based on the number of people who die prematurely from pollution resulting from indoor cook stoves that use fire, coal, charcoal or animal waste.

Mr Ban warned: “Most of these people are women and children, who spend their time near wood-burning stoves and open flames. It is women and girls who bear the brunt of collecting firewood and fuels – time-consuming activities which limit their work and education opportunities.”

He added: “Achieving SDG7 well before 2030 will vastly improve our chances of achieving the Global Goals on food security, health care, education, employment, sustainable cities and more… We have made a good start. There has been remarkable progress on many fronts.”

The UN chief also underlined the important role women play in achieving sustainable solutions saying: “Women are often the primary managers of energy in their households and communities and so can be powerful agents of change in the transition to sustainable, clean, green energy.”