Energy and Mineral Development

SDG 7 is an essential component of several other SDGs, a golden thread in the sustainable development agenda. However, according to Energy Progress Report (2019), at its current rate of ambition, the world will fall short of meeting Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for ensuring “access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by 2030. Additional effort is essential in ensuring progress toward not only SDG 7 but also the broader Sustainable Development Agenda. In particular, SDG 7 and climate mitigation (SDG 13) are closely related and complementary. To contribute to the pace of global and national energy and mineral resources exploitation and utilization, a greater acceleration is needed that is centered on renewable energy, electrification and energy efficiency. Success will require substantial and ongoing partnership between governments, the private sector, communities and civil society. ECASA Energy and Mineral Development Cluster being a multi-disciplinary and multi-country team presents a good opportunity for the private sector to contribute to the integration of the role of mining and energy resources into the broader discussion of sustainable development and national plans to achieve the SDGs.

Specifically, the Cluster focuses on addressing the following Energy and Mineral Development issues; quality home energy efficiency services, clean energy research and technology including renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy infrastructure development and management as well as monitoring of energy development projects. These services will be centered on renewable energy, electrification and energy efficiency, and on unlocking the mining sector’s potential to contribute to a sustainable future.