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Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation: SDG Overview

With a global perspective, the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) emphasizes universal access to clean water and sanitation.

The Fundamental Right to Clean Water

Access to safe water and sanitation is a basic human right, as recognized by the United Nations. Despite this, a significant portion of the global population still lacks these essential services.

UN SDG 6 Targets and 2030 Goals

1. Universal Access to Safe Drinking Water: The aim is to achieve universal and affordable access to safe drinking water by 2030.
2. Sanitation and Hygiene for All: Another target is to provide access to adequate sanitation and hygiene for all, eliminating open defecation by 2030.
3. Water Quality Improvement: By 2030, water quality should improve through pollution reduction, hazardous material prevention, and minimal release of chemicals into waterways.
4. Water-Use Efficiency Increase: Substantial increases in water-use efficiency are targeted by 2030 for sustainable water supply.
5. Integrated Water Resource Management: Implementation of integrated water resource management, including transboundary cooperation, is crucial to achieving the 2030 goal.
6. Ecosystem Protection and Restoration: By 2020, the goal is to protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, and lakes.

India’s Water Challenge

For India, access to clean water and sanitation remains a challenge. According to NITI Aayog, 600 million people in India face high to extreme water stress, with around 200,000 deaths annually due to inadequate access to safe water.

India’s Initiatives

India has launched ambitious programs like the Jal Jeevan Mission, aiming to provide tap water connections to every rural household by 2024. The Namami Gange program focuses on rejuvenating the Ganga river, and the Swachh Bharat Mission targets ending open defecation and achieving universal sanitation coverage.

Achieving SDG 6: A Comprehensive Approach:

• Infrastructure expansion for water supply and wastewater treatment.
• Water harvesting and reuse programs.
• Community participation and education initiatives.
• Collaborative partnerships between government, private sector, and civil society.

Goal 7: Affordable & Clean Energy

Moving forward, Goal 7 focuses on ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services. Let’s delve into the targets and strategies for affordable and clean energy.

Universal Access to Affordable Energy Services

Over 1 billion people lack electricity access globally. Achieving universal access requires new infrastructure investments and extending electricity networks, with renewable solutions playing a crucial role.

Increasing Renewable Energy Share

The goal aims to substantially increase the share of renewable energy to at least 27% in the global energy mix by 2030. Technologies like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass energy will contribute to addressing environmental issues.

Doubling Energy Efficiency Improvement

Doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030 is crucial. Energy efficiency helps slow energy demand growth, ensuring affordable energy access. Supportive policies, investments, and technology innovations are key factors.

Driving Economic Growth through Clean Energy

Progress toward affordable and clean energy requires coordinated efforts. Governments and businesses must invest in infrastructure, transition to renewable sources, and support developing nations through financing and technology transfer.

In Conclusion

SDG 6 and Goal 7 play pivotal roles in ensuring a sustainable future. For UPSC aspirants, understanding these goals is essential, as they encompass critical aspects of governance, social justice, and environmental sustainability.

The Sustainable Development Goals provide a comprehensive framework for addressing global challenges. Analyzing India’s performance on these goals is crucial for UPSC preparation, covering topics like governance, social justice, health, environment, and ethics.